The Top 10 Signs That Mobbing May Be Occuring in Your Organization

Originally Submitted on 10/26/2002.

According to authors Davenport, Schwartz and Elliott, mobbing is "a malicious attempt to force a person out of the workplace through unjustified accusations, humiliation, general harassments, emotional abuse, and/or terror." Early intervention is crucial. Here are some of the signs:

1. Can you sense tension or fear with your intuition?

2. Has there been a major change lately either causing more stress, or more boredom?

3. Has an employee's behavior changed suddenly?

If you do not know about mobbing, you might consider the individual had become "difficult."

4. Are key people suddenly leaving?

If is there high staff turnover in general?

5. Are people, particularly in higher management positions, not fully qualified or experienced enough for their positions?

6. Is sick leave increasing?

7. Is there low morale without any other explicable reason?

8. Are all problems in one division or department suddenly being blamed on one individual?

9. Has the company suddenly experienced change of any kind, such as restructuring, new staff, downsizing, merger, new leadership or new procedures, particularly without adequate preparation for staff?

10. Are there telltale signs in nonverbal behavior?

Whispering, averted glances, avoiding eye contact, inappropriate laughter, tears, sudden flurries of activity? Do groups fall silent when management approaches, or part and fall apart?

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