How Workplace Bullying Affects Your and Your Partner’s Wellbeing

Introduction

Employers have a role to play in establishing healthy corporate cultures and actively combating toxic behaviour.

Impact on Sleep and Wellbeing

From stress and insomnia to loneliness and low morale, workplace bullying doesn’t just affect the physical and mental health of those exposed to it – it also invades their personal spheres. A British study published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence reveals that workplace bullying disrupts victims’ sleep, with direct repercussions on their partners.

Research Findings

Researchers from the University of East Anglia studied the short-term impact of workplace bullying on several sleep indicators, including difficulty falling asleep, nighttime wakings and overall dissatisfaction with sleep. They observed two distinct groups: 147 employees monitored over five days; and 139 couples analysed over two months.

Rumination and Sleep Disturbances

Their conclusions are clear: when employees are victims of bullying, they tend to think back over the conflictual situations they have experienced, trying to analyse and justify them. This incessant rumination, which seeks to help them make sense of what they’ve been through, only adds to their stress and compromises the quality of their sleep.

Impact on Partners and Relationships

And these sleep problems don’t stop with the victim – they also affect people’s other halves. Interrupted sleep, nocturnal awakenings and persistent feelings of tiredness can spread between the couple, creating a climate of shared tension and fatigue.

Solutions

So, what can be done to combat this? The experts recommend both organisational and individual interventions.

Organisational Interventions

For employers, it’s a matter of establishing a healthy corporate culture and actively combating toxic behaviour.

Individual Interventions

For individuals, learning to disconnect from work outside office hours is an effective strategy for limiting rumination and, by extension, disturbed sleep.

Conclusion

This study is a reminder that workplace bullying doesn’t stop at the company gates: it infiltrates the personal sphere and undermines individuals’ wellbeing. As such, it seems that preserving the mental health of employees can also help protect that of those around them.

FAQs

Q: How does workplace bullying affect sleep?

A: Workplace bullying can lead to sleep disruptions, including difficulty falling asleep, nighttime wakings, and overall dissatisfaction with sleep.

Q: How can individuals combat the effects of workplace bullying?

A: Individuals can learn to disconnect from work outside office hours and engage in relaxation techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing, to reduce rumination and improve sleep quality.

Q: What can employers do to combat workplace bullying?

A: Employers can establish a healthy corporate culture and actively combat toxic behaviour by providing training and support for employees and addressing any underlying issues that may be contributing to the bullying behavior.