Mobbing

Mobbing is a form of workplace or organizational harassment in which a person is persecuted by a group over a prolonged period, through systematic negative actions aimed at humiliation, intimidation, and social exclusion. It is characterized by repeated hostile acts such as insults, rumors, deliberate social isolation, excessive or meaningless tasks, false accusations, undermining a target's work, and persistent negative messaging about the target's abilities. The behavior typically occurs over weeks or months and is carried out by colleagues, managers, or others in the workplace or school environment.

Although bullying can occur between individuals, mobbing refers to a group process that seeks to drive a person out of the organization or to marginalize them.

Origins and research: The term was popularized in the 1980s by Swedish psychologist Heinz Leymann, who linked workplace stress to mobbing. Since then, studies have examined prevalence, health effects, and organizational costs, with attention to the roles of bystanders, leaders, and organizational culture.

Effects: Victims may develop anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, and somatic symptoms; they may perform poorly, miss work, or resign. Organizations can face reduced productivity, higher absenteeism, turnover, and legal or reputational risks.

Causes and risk factors: power imbalances, rigid hierarchies, poor leadership, job insecurity, unsupportive HR practices, and a culture that tolerates mistreatment. Bystanders can either enable or impede mobbing.

Prevention and response: organizations should implement anti-harassment policies, clear reporting channels, confidential investigations, and protection for complainants; train managers to recognize signs, promote respectful conduct, and respond quickly; provide support to victims and address perpetrators; ensure accountability.

Legal context: in many jurisdictions, persistent mobbing falls under workplace harassment or discrimination laws, with remedies ranging from remediation to compensation.