A hidden problem

Tina Chander explains that not all bullying is visible.

High-profile claims of bullying and harassment in the workplace have once again grabbed the headlines in the national media, but even for those who do not work in palaces, the impact of personal attacks by colleagues can be devastating.

Even in dental practices, incidents of ‘invisible’ workplace bullying are not unheard of. These incidents may involve an individual being left out of a conversation or feeling as though others are commenting on their ability, appearance or spreading malicious rumours about their personal life.

Not only can this behaviour damage the confidence and mental wellbeing of the individual concerned, but it can also have a serious impact on workplace productivity, as employees struggle to focus on tasks, whilst dealing with and processing the stress that comes with invisible bullying.

When an incident of this nature comes to the attention of practice owners, it is crucial that immediate action is taken to address the situation, as ignoring the problem could damage the hard-earned reputation of the business.