UPWARD BULLYING
UPWARD BULLYING
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UPWARD BULLYING with LeADERSHIP SUPPORT |
📢 “When the Boss Becomes the Target: Understanding Upward Bullying in the Workplace”
Upward bullying is an often-overlooked but damaging dynamic where employees bully or undermine their manager or leader. While workplace bullying is commonly associated with authority figures targeting subordinates, the reverse can—and does—happen, with real consequences.
🔍 What is Upward Bullying?
Upward bullying occurs when one or more employees use manipulation, defiance, passive-aggression, or group pressure to intimidate or destabilize their leader. This can take the form of deliberate non-compliance, rumor-spreading, exclusion, or efforts to discredit authority.
🕒 When Does It Happen?
It often arises during times of organizational change, leadership transitions, or when a manager inherits a resistant or tight-knit team. New or younger managers may be especially vulnerable if they're seen as inexperienced or lacking institutional support.
❓ Why Does It Happen?
- Resistance to authority or change
- Jealousy or power struggles
- Perception that the leader lacks competence or legitimacy
- A culture where disrespect toward leadership is tolerated or ignored
⚙️ How Does It Manifest?
- Subtle sabotage or intentional underperformance
- Open defiance or undermining during meetings
- Rallying coworkers to question or ignore leadership
- Filing frequent, exaggerated complaints to higher management or HR
💡 What Can Be Done?
- Clear support from senior leadership for all levels of management
- Training in assertive leadership and conflict resolution
- Regular 360-degree feedback systems to detect unhealthy team dynamics
- Prompt, fair intervention from HR when patterns emerge