The silent threat that undermines public trust and productivity: Mobbing
Experts describe mobbing, which is defined as emotional harassment, intimidation, or psychological abuse, as a phenomenon frequently encountered in society, particularly in work environments. They emphasize that mobbing manifests across all areas of professional life.
Assoc. Prof. Serkan Yılmaz, an expert in Human Resources Management, stated that mobbing is most commonly observed in the healthcare sector. Yılmaz said that “Among the reasons for this are, on one hand, the increasing burden on healthcare professionals who are forced to provide services under worsening conditions due to a poorly managed healthcare system, and on the other hand, the exposure of these professionals to violence, that is beyond mobbing itself by patients' relatives, who are also victims of the same system.”
Assoc. Prof. Serkan Yılmaz from the Department of Health Management at Üsküdar University’s Faculty of Health Sciences discussed how the phenomenon of mobbing, originating in workplace environments, spreads into the broader social fabric and evaluated its negative consequences.
Mobbing has become a phenomenon frequently encountered especially in workplaces
Assoc. Prof. Serkan Yılmaz, a specialist in Human Resources Management, noted that mobbing, which is defined as emotional harassment, intimidation, or persistent psychological pressure, has become a common issue, particularly in professional settings. Yılmaz stated that “The tendency to engage in mobbing is fueled by various dynamics, starting from the family environment and extending through the neighborhood, educational institutions, social relations, and even the governing styles of societies and organizations. Individuals raised in oppressive family settings tend to reflect their negative emotions onto other family members, and later, onto peers in school and the neighborhood.”
Healthcare workers are exposed to both mobbing and violence
When asked whether mobbing is more prevalent in specific sectors or professions, Yılmaz expressed that “In fact, mobbing can appear in every area of working life. However, it is most frequently observed in the healthcare sector. This can be attributed to healthcare professionals being forced to provide services under increasingly difficult conditions due to systemic mismanagement, and at the same time, being subjected to violence that exceeds the boundaries of mobbing by patients' relatives, who themselves are victims of the same flawed system.”
Women are more vulnerable to mobbing than men
Commenting on gender inequality in our society, Yılmaz said that “The inequality that exists to the detriment of women is a stark and undeniable fact. A patriarchal or male-dominated upbringing makes women more vulnerable to mobbing later in life. However, the level of harm caused by mobbing may vary not only by gender but also according to an individual's personality traits. For example, despite all unfavorable societal conditions, a woman with a strong personality and high emotional resilience may be less affected by mobbing compared to a man who is weaker in these aspects.”
Widespread mobbing in society harms individuals' mental health
Assoc. Prof. Serkan Yılmaz explained that in societies where mobbing is widespread, individuals live in a constant state of emotional unease, and Yılmaz continued his remarks as follows:
“This negative emotional state often leads people to experience chronic stress which sometimes intense, but more commonly persistent and low-level. Chronic stress, in particular, hinders individuals from forming nourishing and healthy relationships with others in society. A person's emotional state inevitably spreads to those around them, which then affects both their personal and professional lives. It is unrealistic to expect high performance at work from someone who is subjected to mobbing in their personal and social relationships. A distressed emotional state can paralyze both the physical and cognitive functions of an individual, and they cannot act properly nor think clearly. Due to the structure of our brains, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors function as a whole and strongly influence one another. Individuals who live in restless societies inevitably become part of dysfunctional organizations. In an environment where people cannot predict from whom or when emotional harassment may occur, it becomes impossible to build mutual trust.”
Remote work models create emotional pressure on employees!
Noting that despite its many advantages, remote work makes it difficult for individuals to maintain a healthy work-life balance, Yılmaz stated that “Working hours have become extended and more ambiguous. The number and duration of online meetings have increased due to their convenience. Meanwhile, the quality of communication among colleagues has declined. Although not always classified as mobbing, the expectation of being constantly available and the need for managers to monitor the time employees dedicate to work while at home clearly creates emotional pressure on remote workers.”
Mobbing can cause chronic stress
Assoc. Prof. Serkan Yılmaz emphasized that employees spend a significant part of their lives in the workplace, and that workplaces carry meaning beyond being merely a source of income and concluded his remarks as follows:
“People expect the institutions where they spend their most productive hours to also fulfill their emotional and social needs. If, instead of meeting these natural human needs, an individual is subjected to mobbing, it becomes extremely difficult for them not to reflect their negative emotional state onto their social relationships and family life. Because emotions are contagious. Continuous exposure to mobbing may result in chronic stress, which not only deteriorates mental well-being but also affects physical health. Today, chronic stress is recognized as one of the contributing factors to many illnesses.”
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)