| Research has identified prevalence and characteristics of workplace bullying, yet little research has specifically considered workplace cyberbullying. Therefore, in the present study, 49 employees across U.S. workplaces completed online surveys about workplace cyberbullying. Findings suggested that cyberbullying occurred across ethnicities and ages and more frequently reported by women. Women were also more often cyberbullying perpetrators. Cyberbullying persisted from a few days, 43%, to more than a year, 22%. Most reported bullying by more than one coworker, M = 2.41 (6.27), yet only in one workplace. Most victims had no warning signs that cyberbullying would arise. Many reported substantially decreased motivation and productivity from the cyberbullying. Despite known best preventive practices and costs of workplace bullying, most workers believed their companies lacked clear steps for reporting cyberbullying; of those who reported, most felt unsafe doing so, and many, 43%, indicated that reporting did not stop the cyberbullying. Accordingly, 80% believed U.S. workplaces need greater awareness of cyberbullying. Responses suggested that U.S. workers understand the human and financial impacts of workplace cyberbullying but that some managers may be unaware or motivated to overlook costs and even related laws. Turnover, absenteeism, medical expenses, decreased worker motivation/productivity, and litigation and settlement payouts constitute financial losses to organizations that permit workplace bullying. Given these findings, it is surprising how often workplace cyberbullying occurs and how many organizations may not be implementing best practices to decrease it. Improving management knowledge of best prevention practices and motivating management to implement such practices would help inform effective strategies to decrease cyberbullying and to provide valuable future research arenas. |
