Workplace Stress and Bullying: Effects on Employee Mental Health

This essay delves into the detrimental effects of workplace stress and bullying on employee mental health. It defines workplace stress and bullying, highlighting how bullying can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social anxiety disorder due to repeated humiliation and negative judgment. The essay emphasizes that bullying, whether through offensive comments or isolation, can significantly impact an individual's self-esteem and mental well-being. It concludes by noting that while some workplace pressure can be positive, excessive and prolonged stress results in decreased efficiency, performance, and overall health problems. The essay references various studies and articles to support its claims, underscoring the importance of addressing and managing workplace stress to prevent long-term health issues. Desklib provides a platform for students to access this and other solved assignments.

Running head: WORKPLACE STRESS 1
Workplace Stress
Student’s name
Institution Affiliation
Date

WORKPLACE STRESS 2
Introduction
Workplace stress can be defined as physical and emotional responses that are harmful
and may occur as a result of the conflict that exists between work demands on individuals and
the level of control such individuals have in matching such demands (Colligan MSW & Higgins,
2006).
Workplace bullying
Workplace bullying can be defined as offensive, intimidating or offensive behavior. Also,
misuse of power for purposes of undermining and humiliating a person may be defined as
bullying. Workplace bullying at times can be a traumatic encounter for the targeted individuals.
It is the distress, pain, and victimization of targeted individuals that leads to such people feeling
depressed and isolated. One of the results of workplace bullying is the post-traumatic stress
disorder (PSTD). PSTD happens following a traumatic encounter (Gordon, 2018). It can arise
following a series of repeated bullying. People experiencing PSTD often avoid situations that
make them recall the event. The possibility of workplace bullying being abusive and constituent
for a long duration may lead to some of the bullying targets developing PSTD.
People having a debilitating fear of being perceived negatively by others may develop
social anxiety disorder which is connected to workplace stress. People having this disorder get
overwhelmed with worry and battle with self-consciousness issues on a daily basis (Stevenson &
Harper, 2006). They are of the opinion that other people will judge them. Such people are of the
notion that their appearance or their actions may lead to embarrassment or constant ridicule
(Agarwal, 2018). In extreme situations, individuals with this disorder avoid social events. It is
thus no wonder that people who are victims of workplace bullying develop social anxiety

WORKPLACE STRESS 3
disorder mainly if they were judged repeatedly and humiliated in public. They are of the fear that
the embarrassment they encounter at work may happen again.
Bullying may also be defined as that behavior advanced to an individual that makes such
people feel victimized. It is sometimes difficult to assess and determine what can be termed as
harassment since the encounter of mistreatment may be perceived differently by different people.
One thing may appear harmless to a person, but to another individual, it may be considered as
offensive.
Bullying is considered rhetoric due to the jokes or comments that are unsympathetic
regarding the protected trait of an employee. Such kind of comments are possible to be
interpreted as offensive and such type of offense may be not be taken lightly by a person or a
group of people on the other side. Bullying may also assume fewer forms of treatment, for
instance, an employee being isolated in a particular activity leaving them feeling humiliated and
intimidated which translates to such people suffering from self-esteem complications and mental
health problems (Michie, 2002).
Conclusion
Workplace stress immerses unwarranted pressure on people; normally, it has been found
that the more demanding a job is then, the more pressure it will put on individuals. This
translates to higher outcomes and satisfaction in the workplace. However, when the diminishing
returns are attained, any increase in the load yields reverse effects such as decreased efficiency,
performance, and wellbeing. Stress is instead a condition, and it is stress on long-term that leads
to grave health problems.

WORKPLACE STRESS 4
References
Agarwal, P. (2018, July 29). Here Is Why We Need To Talk About Bullying In The Work Place.
Retrieved from Forbes:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/pragyaagarwaleurope/2018/07/29/workplace-bullying-here-
is-why-we-need-to-talk-about-bullying-in-the-work-place/#202a0afb3259
Colligan MSW, T. W., & Higgins, E. M. (2006). Workplace Stress. Journal of Workplace
Behavioral Health, 21(2), 89-97.
Gordon, S. (2018, June 15). Workplace Bullying Causes Anxiety Issues. Retrieved from verywell
mind: https://www.verywellmind.com/workplace-bullying-causes-anxiety-issues-460629
Michie, S. (2002). Causes and Management of Stress at Work. Occupational and Environmental
Medicine, 59(1), 67-72.
Stevenson, A., & Harper, S. (2006). Workplace stress and the student learning experience.
Quality Assurance in Education, 14(2), 167-178.