Workplace Bullying Institute


U.S. Hostile Workplace Survey 2000
The Workplace Bullying Institute
Gary Namie, Ph.D., Research Director
September, 2000

Quick View | Bullies | Targets
Support | Health consequences | Economic impact

All contents © 2000, Gary Namie. Use without permission prohibited.

Research Highlights

Women, as well as men, bully others at work -- exactly equal 50% each!

Women bullies target women an overwhelming 84% of the time; men bullies target women in 69% of the cases; women are the majority of targets (3/4 of all).

Nearly all bullies are bosses (81%); they have the power to terminate their targets at will.

Bullying is more prevalent than illegal discrimination: civil rights could have played a part in only 23% of bullying cases. Lawsuits filed by only 19% of those bullied.

Bullying is a health hazard to the person targeted:

- 41% were diagnosed with depression
-over 80% reported effects that prevented them from being productive at work (severe anxiety, lost concentration, sleeplessness, etc.)
-PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) affects 31% of the women, 21% of men

Support for Targets came from spouses, partners and outside friends. Co-workers, the bullies' bosses and human resources failed to support the targeted person despite requests for help. In fact, in only 7% of cases was the bully punished, transferred or terminated.

Bullying also costs Targets their jobs and livelihood:

- Of the survey respondents for whom the bullying has stopped, 82% lost their jobs (44% involuntary departure; 38% voluntary departure)
- In the aftermath, 51% lost all or part of their income as a result; 33% had no change

Thoughts linger: 79% of Targets frequently or constantly think about the past bullying