Mobbing in the workplace

by  Elissavet VOZEMBERG

The so-called "Mobbing" or "Bullying at workplace" encompasses a wide range of interpersonal misconduct and is linked to various forms of discrimination. Moreover, it is not to be disregarded that mobbing has its target focused on women. Woman on woman harassment accounts for 50 percent of all bullying. Unless a woman targeted can claim race or biases, her cruel torment at the hands of another woman has likely no legal remedy. For this reason, many cases are unreported due to the fear of the victims to come forward and reveal their incident. Besides, the economic crisis nowadays has deteriorated not only the frequency of the phenomenon itself but also the intensity of its outbreaks.

The European Commission in one of my recent parliamentary questions replied upon this issue by stating that it has already taken concrete measures and actions, so as to prevent this situation, which has received numerous and complex dimensions over the years. More specifically, the social partners Business Europe, UEAPME, CEEP and ETUC signed in 2007 an independent agreement on harassment and violence at work, while in 2011 they drafted a report for its implementation. In 2015, we expect of the Commission to evaluate the situation among the Member States according to the above report and conduct an external research, in order to present an overall assessment of the ongoing conditions of the problem.

However, it is essential that all Member States take measures on an individual level, so as to begin the healing process to the victims who have suffered bullying, since the forms and the extent of this phenomenon differ from country to country.  In this regard, victims need to receive specific aid and consultancy, in order to overcome the sustained injury and further ensure their smooth reintegration into their workplace.

Above all, precautionary measures should be taken, in order for mobbing in the workplace to be decreased, if not eliminated.  Education needs to become more anthropocentric, based on the values and principles that emblazon the respect for others and the right to differ, in order for the humans to face their colleague as a companion in life and not as a competitor. 

As one of the most famous worldwide Greek authors, Nikos Kazantzakis, once highlighted: "Ιf reality does not take the form that we want, then it is our fault". As we all can conclude, life itself justifies him successfully even to this day.