Beyond the Office Walls: Workplace Bullying as Public Health

Abstract: Workplace bullying has transitioned from being viewed primarily as an interpersonal conflict or human resources matter to being recognized as a significant public health concern with documented effects on cardiovascular health, mental wellbeing, and mortality. Research demonstrates that approximately 30% of workers experience workplace bullying during their careers, with consequences extending beyond individual targets to families, healthcare systems, and organizational performance. This article examines the prevalence and health consequences of workplace bullying through a public health lens, reviews evidence-based organizational interventions including transparent communication systems, procedural justice frameworks, and capability-building programs, and proposes long-term strategies for building psychologically safe work environments. Drawing on interdisciplinary research and organizational examples across healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and public sectors, the article argues that preventing workplace bullying requires the same systematic approach organizations apply to physical safety hazards. Treating psychological harm as preventable violence rather than inevitable workplace friction represents both a moral imperative and a strategic investment in organizational resilience and public health.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.