Quick Look

Bullying – Words do Hurt

The majority of people have heard the phrase “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me”. Perhaps many of us have become familiar with this phrase as adults in our life have attempted to help us deal with our own issues of bullying within the school setting. Nationally, trends indicate that bullying within schools is becoming of increasing concern with an estimated 160,000 children skipping school each day to avoid issues of bullying. Additionally, each year over 7 million cases of bullying are reported within our schools.

Though it is easy for us to associate bullying with the school setting, issues of bullying within the work force are becoming increasingly prevalent. In understanding the issue of bullying and bullyism, it becomes necessary to investigate the foundations of the issue. In understanding bullying within the school setting and its expansion into the work force, the intent is that both school personnel and work force supervisors can intervene to avoid the costs, both through loss of productivity and legal battles.

Within the school setting, three-fourths of preteens indicate bullying is a regular occurrence. Additionally, 86% of students age 12 to 15 say they are teased or bullied at school, with 35% indicating they are directly involved in bullying activities. Only 25% of students report that teachers intervene in bullying situations, while 71% of teachers believe they always intervene. Of greater concern is the data that reports that by age 24, 60% of identified bullies have a criminal conviction, and growing numbers of students who are the target of bullying see suicide as their only way out.

Despite its appearance, bullying is not an issue of anger, rather an issue of power. The bully has either a real – size or position – or a perceived power imbalance over the target. Additionally, the bully has a direct intent to harm, either physically or psychologically. This is followed up with the threat of further aggression, often leaving the target in a state of terror, leaving the bully with little fear of recrimination or retaliation.

The act of bullying is carried out in three primary ways; verbal interactions, physical contact, and through relational osterization. Within the school and work place, verbal bullying is by far the most common and accounts for 70% of incidents. The use of technology has extended this method of bullying from simple gestures and statements to e-mails and cell phones. Physical is the most obvious form of bullying, yet accounts for less than one-third of incidents. The final area, relational bullying is common among adolescent females and includes ignoring, isolation, and exclusion.

Mistakenly, we often have the misconception that once students leave the school setting and enter the work force, issues of bullying have miraculously been addressed. Unfortunately, recent studies show this is not the case. A recent study of 9,000 federal employees reports that 42% of females and 15% of male employees report being harassed within the past two years. The researchers estimate the cost at $180 million in lost time and productivity per year. Another study by Gary Namie, PhD, of the Campaign against Workplace Bullying found that 82% of staff members targeted by bullying leave the workforce. Thirty-eight percent leave for health reasons, and 44% as a result of performance appraisals manipulated to show incompetence. Needless to say, the cost of rehiring and retraining creates a significant fiscal burden on companies struggling to make ends meet.

Gone are the days in which we can say “boys will be boys” and hope that the problem will just go away. Our nation’s rash of recent school shootings and workplace violence underline the responsibility we have for our students and employees to provide each with a safe environment.

David Jensen is the Director of Federal Programs for Humboldt County School District. He obtained both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Brigham Young University.