CareerBuilder Survey Finds Office Bullying High Across Multiple Demographics

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office bullying high across demographics Twenty-eight percent of workers reported they have felt bullied at work, and nearly one in five (19 percent) of these workers left their jobs because of it, according to a CareerBuilder study. The survey found that workers in management roles, those with post-secondary education, and other workforce segments also suffer from bullying, though it is more prevalent for some minorities and low-income employees.

Of those who reported being bullied at some point in their careers, nearly one in four (24 percent) said the bullying is taking place right now in their present jobs. Bullied workers in management roles were the most likely to report this. While high school graduates who have not received any further education had a higher tendency to feel pressured by a bully, nearly one in four workers (23 percent) who have been bullied and have bachelor’s degrees or higher reported that the bullying is taking place in their present jobs. The percentage of workers earning less than $50,000 annually who said they are being bullied was nine percentage points higher than those earning $50,000 or more.

Of those who reported being bullied at some point in their careers, the percentages that said that they are currently being bullied break down as follows:

Job Level

  • Management (manager, director, team leader, vice president and above) – 27 percent
  • Professional and technical – 21 percent
  • Entry-level/administrative and clerical – 26 percent

Highest Level of Education Attained

  • High school graduate – 28 percent
  • Associate’s degree – 21 percent
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher – 23 percent

Compensation Level

  • Earning less than $50,000 – 28 percent
  • Earning $50,000 or more – 19 percent

Respondents reported a number of ways they felt bullied while on the job, including:

  • Falsely accused of mistakes he/she didn’t make – 43 percent
  • Comments were ignored, dismissed or not acknowledged – 41 percent
  • A different set of standards or policies was used for the worker – 37 percent
  • Gossip was spread about the worker – 34 percent
  • Constantly criticized by the boss or co-workers – 32 percent
  • Belittling comments were made about the person’s work during meetings – 29 percent
  • Yelled at by the boss in front of co-workers – 27 percent
  • Purposely excluded from projects or meetings – 20 percent
  • Credit for his/her work was stolen – 20 percent
  • Picked on for personal attributes (race, gender, appearance, etc.) – 20 percent

By Joshua Bjerke