{"id":4791,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:45","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/employment-law-and-human-resources\/workplace-bullying.html"},"modified":"2026-09-01T09:38:44","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T14:38:44","slug":"workplace-bullying","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/employment-law-and-human-resources\/workplace-bullying.html","title":{"rendered":"How To Prevent Workplace Bullying and Protect Your Business"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How To Prevent Workplace Bullying and Protect Your Business<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Workplace bullying<\/span> is repeated, abusive conduct<\/span> by one or more people in a work environment that is threatening, humiliating<\/span>, or intimidating. This behavior is different from unlawful harassment<\/span>, which targets an individual’s protected characteristics<\/span>.Both can cause legal issues for employers.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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For a business owner, failing to address workplace bullying<\/span> can create a\u00a0toxic environment<\/span>, reduce productivity, and create legal liability if the conduct crosses into harassment<\/span> or discrimination. This article explains what bullying at work<\/span> looks like, how it can become a real problem for employers, and what business owners can do about it.<\/p>\n

What Is Workplace Bullying<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

The Workplace Bullying<\/span> Institute<\/span> (WBI)<\/a> defines workplace bullying<\/span> as the “repeated, health-harming mistreatment by one or more employees of an employee: abusive conduct<\/span> that takes the form of verbal abuse<\/span>; or behaviors perceived as threatening, intimidating, or humiliating<\/span>; work sabotage.” Workplace bullying<\/span> is an act of verbal abuse<\/span>, aggression, or intimidation against a coworker, often a subordinate, without regard to the victim’s protected class or characteristics<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Protected characteristics<\/span> include:<\/p>\n