ABSTRACT
The interplay that leads to workplace bullying is toxic for organizational life. This chapter explores workplace bullying in more detail, its basic characteristics, but also some of the conditions that lead to this unwanted type of behavior and presents various sub-types of workplace bullying. It examines the process of events that lead up to workplace bullying and indicates the prevalence of workplace bullying. Bullying is described as a long lasting phenomenon with repeated negative acts for period of six months or more. The chapter presents a potential development from exposure to a negative situation to experiencing being harassed or discriminated. It proposes subtypes of workplace bullying: dispute-related bullying, predatory bullying, scapegoating, sexual harassment, humor-oriented bullying and work-related stalking. Empirical studies have shown that many organizations apply anti-bullying measures in accordance with recommendations from the academic literature, particularly when human resources personnel responsible for taking action were young and early in their career.
