University students are exposed to mobbing in business life!
A study conducted under the leadership of Üsküdar University revealed that working university students are exposed to significant psychological pressure in business life, which negatively affects their academic success, social relations and general well-being.
271 students from 55 different universities in Türkiye were included in the study. Among the most common occupational groups preferred by students are sales consultants, waiters, baristas, surveyors, caregivers, cashiers, market employees, motorcycle courier, extras and hostess/assistants.
The research showed that 74.5 percent of working university students were exposed to mobbing at least once during their business life. Participants stated that "constant criticism, belittlement and loss of self-confidence" was one of the biggest psychological pressures they faced at work.
The results of the sociological research conducted on the effects of mobbing on the effects of mobbing on university students working under the leadership of Üsküdar University in business life drew attention.
It causes deterioration in social relationships
Today, many university students start working life simultaneously with their school for reasons such as meeting their economic needs, starting their career, gaining experience or expanding their field of study. However, the mobbing (psychological harassment) they are exposed to in their working environment negatively affects the psychological well-being of individuals, causing a decrease in their academic performance, loss of motivation and deterioration in their social relations.
The research conducted by Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı, Director of Üsküdar University Human Rights Studies Application and Research Center, Assoc. Prof. Barış Çağırkan, Lecturer at Izmir Democracy University Department of Sociology, and sociologist İrem Pehlivan, detailed the individual and social dimensions of this phenomenon by examining the effects of mobbing on emotional resilience, self-efficacy and academic success of university student employees at work.
The findings of the study revealed that college students are more vulnerable to psychological pressure in the workplace, which is not limited to their academic lives, but can have long-term consequences such as emotional burnout, loss of self-confidence and social isolation.
Research method and demographic findings
271 students from 55 different universities in Türkiye were included in the study, which consisted of 35 questions. While a significant part of the participants were students studying at state and foundation universities in big cities such as Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, students from cities such as Antalya, Edirne, Denizli, Adana, Tunceli and Muş were also among the participants.
When the gender distribution was examined, it was determined that 73.8 percent of the participants were female, and 26.2 percent were male. When evaluated in terms of age variable, it was seen that most of the participants were in the 21-23 age group (50.9 percent), followed by the 18-20 age group (21.8 percent). While individuals between the ages of 24-26 were represented by a rate of 21 percent, it was determined that the participation rates of the groups aged 27-29 and over 30 were quite low. When examined in terms of marital status variable, it was determined that 91.9 percent of the participants were single, while married, engaged/oral, divorced or widowed individuals were represented at very low rates.
When the data on the individual economic status of the participants were examined, it was determined that 59 percent of them evaluated their economic situation at the "moderate" level. This group was followed by individuals with "good" economic conditions with a rate of 24.4 percent, while 15.5 percent of the participants described their economic situation as "bad". The proportion of respondents who stated that they were in a "very good" economic situation remained at a very low level.
Most of their students work part-time jobs!
The data obtained within the scope of the research revealed that a large part of the working university students was employed part-time. 72 percent of the participants stated that they work part-time, while 21 percent stated that they are employed full-time. These findings show that the vast majority of students actively participate in business life and gain professional experience during their higher education.
Sales consultancy ranks first among the occupational groups preferred by students
When the most commonly preferred occupational groups of students are examined, sales consultancy (35.1 percent) ranks first, followed by professions for the service sector such as waitress, barista, surveyor, babysitter, clerk, call center operator, make-up artist, receptionist, cashier, market employee, data entry, motorcycle courier, extras in casting agencies, actor, graphic design and hostess/assistant. Evaluations regarding the work obligation of students revealed that 50.6 percent of them definitely have to work, and 42.8 percent of them need to work in order to meet their economic needs in certain periods. These findings show that a large part of the students is involved in working life for economic reasons and that financial conditions constitute an important pressure factor in the education processes.
Young employees vulnerable to mobbing
Research findings reveal that young employees are significantly vulnerable to mobbing in the workplace. While 48.7 percent of the participants stated that they were exposed to mobbing at regular intervals, 25.8 percent stated that they were frequently subjected to psychological pressure. On the other hand, 21.8 percent stated that they did not experience any mobbing, while a small group stated that they were constantly faced with mobbing. These data show that 74.5 percent of working university students have been exposed to mobbing at least once during their business life. The results of the study revealed that young workers are more vulnerable to psychological pressure in the workplace.
Mobbing at work: Psychological, economic and social dimensions
The findings of the research revealed that mobbing is experienced as a multidimensional phenomenon that creates psychological, economic and social pressure on individuals working in workplaces. Participants most frequently associate mobbing with psychological violence, pressure and excessive workload, emphasizing that these factors are some of the most common stressors that individuals face in business life. Employees stated that constant criticism, belittlement and loss of self-confidence are one of the biggest psychological pressure factors they face in the workplace, and practices such as being overworked, being subjected to compulsory overtime and being directed to jobs outside the job description are also clear indicators of mobbing.
Female employees were subjected to gender discrimination
Research data revealed that employees were subjected to dismissive looks, verbal scolding, and disrespectful behavior by managers and co-workers. While gender and experience-based mobbing was also found to be a common problem, it was seen that situations such as female employees being exposed to gender discrimination, being given information by men with contempt (mansplaining) and being allowed to assume less responsibility were frequently mentioned in the context of mobbing. Similarly, due to the difference in age and seniority, employees being seen as inexperienced, not being given the right to speak and questioning their professional competencies were defined as one of the common types of mobbing for young and new employees.
Labor exploitation is an important part of mobbing!
When examined in terms of economic factors, it was seen that factors such as job insecurity, low wages and labor exploitation were an important part of mobbing. Most of the employees stated that factors such as dismissal anxiety, forced overtime and being exposed to heavy workload in return for low wages increase the psychological pressure in the workplace. The data obtained revealed that working individuals become vulnerable to psychological and economic pressure due to the hierarchical structure in the business environment, and especially young, inexperienced and female employees are more affected by this situation.
Origin of mobbing: The influence of hierarchical and social dynamics
The findings of the research revealed that mobbing is most commonly carried out by senior management, customers and colleagues. While 59 percent of the participants stated that they were exposed to mobbing by their managers, 38.4 percent stated that they experienced psychological pressure from customers. The rate of those who were mobbed by their colleagues was 22.9 percent, and 21.8 percent reported that they did not experience any mobbing.
Strategies to combat mobbing: Reaction mechanisms of employees
Research findings reveal that working individuals adopt different struggle strategies against mobbing. 37.6 percent of the participants stated that they preferred to ignore the psychological harassment they were exposed to, 27.7 percent responded directly, and 20.7 percent left the job due to this situation. At lower rates, strategies such as taking legal action, complaining to official institutions, meeting with managers and communicating directly with the perpetrator of mobbing were preferred.
The most common strategy in mobbing is 'Don't ignore'
In particular, the most common strategy used by employees exposed to mobbing is "ignoring" (37.6 percent), which shows that these individuals tend to remain silent due to concerns such as fear of losing their jobs, economic insecurity and avoiding creating conflict in the workplace.
Reasons why students are exposed to mobbing at work
The findings of the research reveal that the mobbing that university students are exposed to in business life is caused by various factors. Participants highlighted the personality traits of managers (36.9 percent) as the most common reason for mobbing in the workplace, and stated that this situation is directly related to authoritarian management approach, oppressive attitudes and their tendency to create psychological pressure on employees. This is followed by the difference in social status (26.6 percent), and it is seen that the hierarchical structure and power relations in the work environment are a determining factor in the formation of mobbing. In addition, the normalization of unethical behavior (21 percent) causes psychological harassment in the workplace to become systematic and perceived as a normal situation by employees. Perfectionist management approach (8.5 percent), which is stated at lower rates but is considered as one of the underlying factors of mobbing, is associated with factors such as excessive expectations on employees, low tolerance for error and constant pressure.
The effect of mobbing on business life and its consequences on career motivation
The findings of the research revealed that mobbing has significant negative effects on individuals' attitudes and motivations towards business life. While 51.7 percent of the participants stated that the mobbing they were exposed to at work distanced them from business life, 37.3 percent stated that this situation did not have a significant effect on their career interests.
The fact that more than half of the participants stated that their interest in business life decreased due to mobbing revealed the corrosive effect of psychological harassment on the career motivation, professional commitment and professional development processes of individuals. The data obtained revealed that mobbing experiences in business life strengthen the negative effects of employees on their professional future and may weaken their motivation for the business world.
Mobbing: A factor that threatens academic and career life
The findings of the research reveal that mobbing at work has significant negative effects on the academic performance and career motivation of working university students. While 64.9 percent of the participants stated that mobbing directly harmed their academic success, 23.2 percent stated that this effect was partially felt. On the other hand, only 11.8 percent reported that mobbing did not have any negative effects on their academic lives.
The fact that the majority of the students stated that mobbing reduces their academic motivation, makes it difficult for them to focus on the lessons and increases their stress levels revealed the corrosive effect of the psychological pressure experienced in the workplace on the educational processes. In particular, factors such as absenteeism from classes (24.7 percent), apathy towards academic studies (18.5 percent) and decrease in grade point average (16.2 percent) stood out among the direct consequences of mobbing on academic success.
These data showed that mobbing not only affects current working conditions, but also stands out as a critical factor that threatens the long-term academic and professional success of individuals.
Social effects of mobbing: Loss of self-confidence and stress
The findings of the research revealed that mobbing at work negatively affects not only the professional lives of individuals, but also their social and psychological well-being. 38 percent of the participants stated that mobbing increased their level of aggression, 20.3 percent had difficulty in expressing themselves, and 11.8 percent stated that they exhibited a more timid and introverted attitude in social environments due to loss of self-confidence. Although at lower rates, psychological effects such as anxiety problems were reported at a rate of 8.5 percent. On the other hand, 20.3 percent of the participants stated that they did not have any mobbing experience at work.
Urgent policies and regulations needed for working college students
Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı, Director of Üsküdar University Human Rights Studies Application and Research Center, stated that this research revealed that university students are exposed to significant psychological pressure in business life, which negatively affects their academic success, social relations and general well-being, and shared the following views:
"In order for young employees to have safer, fairer and more dignified working conditions, it is a great necessity to strengthen legal regulations to prevent mobbing cases in the workplace, to activate institutional control mechanisms and to disseminate awareness activities. The findings of the research clearly show that it is an inevitable necessity to support working students more in the workplace and to ensure the psychological security of the work environment. Considering that mobbing can have devastating effects on the career motivation, academic performance and psychosocial well-being of individuals in the long term, it is essential to take systematic and comprehensive measures to prevent this problem."
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)