Being Ignored at Workplace is Worse than Bullying, Study

A new study reveals that it is better to be bullied at workplace than being ignored.

Feeling excluded at workplace has a negative impact on both the physical and mental well-being of a person than harassment or bullying, according to researchers at the University of British Columbia's Sauder School of Business.

Though most feel being ignored is less harmful than being bullied, researchers found that ostracism can potentially lead to job dissatisfaction, quitting of job and other health issues.

"We've been taught that ignoring someone is socially preferable -- if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all," says Sauder Professor Sandra Robinson, who co-authored the study. "But ostracism actually leads people to feel more helpless, like they're not worthy of any attention at all."

The finding is based on the analysis of a series of surveys. The researchers initially found that the participants rated being ignored at work as less socially inappropriate, less psychologically harmful than workplace harassment.

Additional surveys conducted showed that people who reported being ignored at workplace were more likely to have a reduced sense of workplace belonging as well as commitment. Due to ostracism they had a stronger intention to quit their job and had major health issues.

The researchers also considered an employment survey conducted by a Canadian University. The survey included feedback on harassment at workplace, feeling of isolation at workplace and this was further compared to turnover rates three years after the survey was initially conducted. They noticed that those who reported feeling ignored were more likely to have quit their job.

"There is a tremendous effort underway to counter bullying in workplaces and schools, which is definitely important. But abuse is not always obvious," says Robinson. "There are many people who feel quietly victimized in their daily lives, and most of our current strategies for dealing with workplace injustice don't give them a voice."

The finding appears in the forthcoming journal Organization Science.