What is Mobbing

While you may have heard about bullying at workplace, the term ‘mobbing’ may sound unfamiliar. Essentially ‘mobbing’ is used to refer to a form of bullying which is initiated by a group against a particular person and it may include a combined effort to intentionally bully the targeted individual so as to force him or her out of the company or department.

Mobbing can be counted as one of the most extreme forms of workplace bullying because it typically signifies a high level of hostility where a group of people seem to be preoccupied with harassing a particular individual. At times mobbing can also be initiated by superiors who may wish to see the back of someone who they do not want to work with.

Mobbing can have a very adverse affect on the victim and it can leave the affected person feeling all helpless and left alone. It is a kind of psychological abuse which affects the mental well being of the targeted person. Mobbing can be orchestrated in various forms but most importantly it can be done in a manner in which the victim does not even know that he or she is targeted.

For example when a superior wants to get rid of a subordinate, he typically begins by finding flaws in the work of the person. Slowly some colleagues too start to find faults in that person’s work and over a period of time the entire team may start to castigate the individual. Quite expectedly this can lead to severe trauma and mental breakdown in the targeted individual.

Another classic case of mobbing occurs when an individual is favored amongst a group and given a responsible profile. Suddenly it is common to find a section of the team trying to pull that person down by spreading malicious rumors and gossiping endlessly about that individual.

Now that you aware of mobbing and how it can take shape, let us look at some ways in which a person affected by it can handle the situation

1. The first step that one should always take when he or she is targeted by mobbing is to locate the initiator. In other words try to find the individual or group of individuals who want to harass or intimidate you.
2. After identifying that person, you should make an effort to have a discussion with him regarding any issue he may have against you. Be calm and respectful and try to understand if you have brushed that individual the wrong way and make a sincere effort to remove any ill feelings. Also categorically ask that individual to refrain from indulging in behavior that may you do not like There is good chance that you may able to sort out the differences.
3. Try to make friends with some people in your team whom you believe are neutral or are not inclined to bother you. Having your own support group always help
4. Talk to your superiors and also make it a point to inform the human resource department about the issues that are cropping up.
5. Last but not the least, do not give up and succumb to the pressure of mobbing. Just remember that if today you fall to the menace, you are only going embolden the people who are indulging in this extreme form of bullying and tomorrow someone else may too become the victim.