Overcoming Mobbing summary

In 1991, a recently fired postal worker named Thomas McInvale walked into Royal Oak Post Office and shot dead four of his former managers before killing himself. But what could have motivated him to do that? Mobbing.

By looking into this tragic case, we uncover three factors common to all incidents of mobbing. They also illuminate why McInvale snapped.

Being bullied is bad enough, as the feeling of isolation makes us unhappy and distraught. However, the effects of mobbing extend far beyond our feelings. Being constantly undermined by coworkers can be career-halting, and can leave victims with a gaping hole in their lives.

Many people’s lives are centered around their careers, so much so that it can be the focal point of their entire personal identity. Having their career taken from them, therefore, can inflict very serious injuries.

While mobbing centers around the abuse of a single person, that doesn’t mean that this one person is the only sufferer. In fact, mobbing affects the people around the target, and at great cost to the company where mobbing is taking place.

For starters, mobbing affects the personal and work relationships that surround the victims of mobbing.

If you are a victim of workplace mobbing, you don’t have to feel that your situation is hopeless. While recovery can be slow, it’s not impossible. On your road to recovery, there are a few things that you ought to keep in mind.

First, remember that grief is a necessary response to loss. Mobbing can take away all the things you once held dear. Be sure to take the time to grieve what you’ve lost, and don’t force yourself to snap out of it straightaway.

Everyone wants to work in a healthy environment, and companies play an important role in making the workplace healthier and more resistant to mobbing. It’s therefore crucial that your company understands and acknowledges workplace mobbing, as well as the measures one takes to address and prevent it from happening.

Traditionally, organizations were evaluated primarily in terms of their profitability and productivity. However, in today’s world, the good reputation of a company also hinges on the degree to which they care for their employees. Companies therefore need to look beyond profits as their metric for workplace success.