More than half of young Poles experience bullying

The authors of the report, "Young Poles in the Clutches of Bullying," prepared a list of 19 situations and problems associated with bullying. Poles, who are aged 18-35, were asked to answer the question of whether they had experienced one of the indicated issues in the past six months, while doing their jobs. 22.2 percent of respondents denied it. In contrast, 8.1 percent could not specify, and 6.1 percent could not remember whether they had had this type of experience. These are the conclusions of a report by UCE RESEARCH and the ePsychodzy.pl platform, based on a nationwide survey.

- Respondents' uncertainty may suggest that the problem of bullying is more widespread than the responses indicate. Respondents may be avoiding talking about their experiences due to a lack of awareness or not allowing themselves to think that this topic may directly affect them. The results of the survey are worrisome, as they indicate problems with recognizing bullying and the lack of adequate support procedures at companies. An identical survey from the beginning of the year showed that among adults and professionally active Poles, the result oscillates around more than 41 percent. So the difference is significant," says psychologist Michal Murgrabia, one of the co-authors of the survey from the ePsycholodzy.pl platform.

53.1 percent of survey participants experienced situations or problems from the aforementioned list. Of these, respondents most often indicated that shouting, cursing and name-calling were used against them. This was declared by 21.4 percent of respondents. According to the report's authors, this result is strongly alarming. It suggests that many workplaces have a toxic atmosphere in which such behavior is accepted or ignored.

- A high percentage of respondents indicate the prevalence of verbal violence in workplaces. It is one of the most easily recognizable and destructive forms of bullying. It can lead to long-term health problems for victims, such as depression and job burnout, an expert from the ePsychologzy.pl platform stresses.

The report also shows that more men than women have experienced shouting, cursing and name-calling - 24.7 percent vs. 18.5 percent. In addition, those with a monthly net income of more than PLN 9,000 are the most likely to say this - 25 percent, as well as those with primary or junior high school education - 28.2 percent. This is mostly true for residents of towns with populations of 20,000 to 49,000 - 26.7 percent.

- The results indicate the need for an individualized approach to combating bullying, taking into account the specific needs and circumstances of different groups of employees, especially the youngest. Thus, for example, the higher percentage of men experiencing verbal aggression is due to more aggressive communication norms in male-dominated environments. Conversely, those with above-average incomes may face more pressure in high-demand workplaces. This can encourage aggressive behavior," comments Michal Murgrabia.

As the report showed, 15.5 percent of respondents had been groped at work and rumors spread about them. 14.9 percent experienced verbal insults (such as vulgar nicknames or other humiliating expressions). 13.7 percent of respondents were assigned meaningless tasks. On the other hand, 11.1 percent of survey participants were harassed (e.g., by phone, e-mail, during work and after hours).

- The above results are disturbing because they indicate the prevalence of various forms of bullying, which calls for immediate intervention and a change in team management approaches in many companies. Gossiping and spreading rumors and verbal abuse can lead to isolation and marginalization of the victim. Assigning meaningless tasks and harassment are actions that reduce the effectiveness and morale of employees, leading to frustration and professional burnout, as well as destructive consequences for both the individual and the organization as a whole, explains Michal Murgrabia.

Considering the items on the aforementioned list, the fewest indications were violence and physical abuse - 1.5 percent, as well as sexually motivated actions, exploitation or receiving sexual propositions - 1.5 percent. In addition, 2 percent of respondents experienced the taking away of tasks previously delegated to them. On the other hand, 3 percent were victims of deliberate actions designed to cause psychological harm in the workplace or residence. On top of that, 3 percent of respondents were forced to perform tasks that violated their personal dignity.

- The low rate of physical violence and sexually motivated actions indicates that extremely unacceptable behavior is relatively rare. This may be due to greater public awareness of these forms of violence, as well as the harsh legal consequences they carry. Nevertheless, even a small percentage of cases of these serious violations is also worrisome, as it indicates that there are individuals who require immediate support and intervention, the report's co-author concludes.

Source: press release