Workplace trauma is rarely discussed and yet it is a wide-reaching and common occurrence. Harassment at work can occur in several different forms. The harassment can be active or passive, direct or subtle. It can be perpetrated by one person or a group of people. Workplace harassment most commonly occurs to young females, especially if they are new to a job. Although young females are the primary targets for perpetrators at work, harassment can and does happen to every demographic.
Often times the type of harassment at work that gets the most attention is sexual in nature. Sexual harassment however is probably not the most common type of harassment experienced in the workplace. In fact some studies point towards older females in positions of power being the most likely to harass young female workers. Harassment can involve leaving the person out of important meetings, silencing the target, accusing the target falsely, and placing demands on the target that are not placed on other employees. Unfortunately several studies suggest that anti-bullying policies in the workplace are not effective. The reasons for these policies being ineffective often relates to the fact that they are not enforced by upper management. Research suggests that when management enforces and takes anti-bullying seriously then workplaces tend to have less individuals becoming targets of harassment.
The good news is that if you are suffering from some degree of workplace trauma then you can get help. Having good supports either at work or outside of work can prove to be invaluable for your mental health. Anxiety, depression, and PTSD are common experiences of those who have become the target of other's harassment. Because the trauma is often chronic in nature, targets can become despondent or feel there is no escape from the abuse. Therapy can be a resource for those who are suffering in a toxic work environment. Therapy can help you to see a situation more objectively and also give you tools to assert yourself in a safe and productive way. Therapy can often help with strong emotions that often occur in tandem with workplace abuse. Millions of people have been harassed at work in some way or another and knowing that this experience is not unique only to you can also be helpful. Connecting with other people who have had the experience can help to ground you. A target may also use therapy as a means to discover if they can stay in a workplace or that they may need to look for a healthier environment in which to work. After all, having good mental health is an asset. Everyone deserves to work in an environment that supports their mental health. Therapy can help you find a way to make that happen.
By SolidMindSpace editorial team
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