August 2025 Yon Hardisty

Issue #15: Understanding Workplace Bullying

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Remember when your biggest workplace worry was whether someone would steal your lunch from the office fridge? Those were simpler times. Today, we're facing a workplace epidemic that makes petty food theft look like a minor inconvenience: systematic bullying that's literally killing people.

Here's a statistic that should make every employer lose sleep: workplace bullying affects 79.3 million American workers – that's roughly half the workforce getting harassed, humiliated, or hazed on a regular basis. But here's the kicker – only 23% of organizations have policies specifically addressing workplace bullying. Apparently, we have more rules about proper microwave etiquette than we do about not psychologically torturing our colleagues.

The numbers tell a story that's both infuriating and heartbreaking. Workers who experience bullying are 2.3 times more likely to contemplate suicide. In construction alone, we lose approximately 6,000 workers to suicide annually – more than twice the number who die from falls, electrocution, and other job site accidents combined. When "making the new guy cry" becomes an accepted practice, we've crossed a line from workplace culture into workplace violence.

And let's be clear about something: this isn't about creating a generation of "snowflakes" who can't handle criticism. There's a universe of difference between constructive feedback ("Here's how to improve that weld") and psychological abuse ("You're too stupid to work here"). One builds skills; the other destroys lives.

The financial toll is staggering too. Companies with bullying cultures hemorrhage money through turnover costs, workers' compensation claims, reduced productivity, and legal settlements. The average cost of replacing a single bullied employee ranges from $15,000 to $25,000. But putting a price tag on human suffering feels obscene when you consider that behind every statistic is someone's spouse, parent, or child who couldn't escape the daily torment.

Perhaps most tragic is how normalized this behavior has become. We've created work environments where psychological abuse masquerades as "toughening up" or "paying dues." We've convinced ourselves that trauma builds character, when research consistently shows it does the exact opposite – it breaks people down, drives them to substance abuse, and in far too many cases, pushes them toward suicide.

This month, we're pulling back the curtain on workplace bullying's devastating mental health impact. We'll explore why construction sites have become breeding grounds for toxic behavior, how bullying in schools affects not just teachers but the students they serve, hospitals and nurse-to-nurse oppression, and why no industry is immune from this crisis. Most importantly, we'll discuss practical strategies for healing and creating workplaces where people can thrive instead of merely survive.

Because here's what we know for certain: when we tolerate workplace bullying, we're not building tough workers – we're burying good people. And that's a cost no organization, no industry, and no society should be willing to pay.

Let me know your thoughts on workplace bullying and what you're doing to help prevent this in the future.

Talk to you soon,
Yon Hardisty

In this issue:

The Hidden Crisis in Construction: When "Making the New Guy Cry" Becomes Deadly Don't Miss: Wellness Wednesday's Beyond the Playground: Adult Bullying in Educational Settings Building Resilience and Recovery: Practical Strategies for Healing

Upcoming Webinar More Than Just Moods: Decoding Teen Mental Health

Coming this Friday is a pre-recorded webinar with Marco Ansaldo, a Wellness & Compliance Advisor, who dives into how teen mental health is more than just moods.

This recent webinar provided essential information for tackling these critical topics. The in-depth session equips attendees with the knowledge needed to address these important issues effectively.

The Hidden Crisis in Construction:

"When Making the New Guy Cry" Becomes Deadly

The "Toughening Up" Culture

Pick any industry and you will find bullying. Some workplace environments are worse than others. The construction industry has long operated under the guise of "tough love" mentality, where hazing new workers is considered a rite of passage. The phrase "let's see who can make the new guy cry first" might sound like harmless workplace banter, but the reality is far more devastating. This toxic tradition is contributing to an alarming mental health crisis that's claiming lives at an unprecedented rate.

Construction workers face suicide rates that are more than four times higher than the general population, with approximately 6,000 construction workers dying by suicide in 2022 alone. While multiple factors contribute to this crisis, workplace bullying and hostile work environments play a significant role in deteriorating mental health among construction professionals.

The "toughening up" culture often manifests in various forms of psychological harassment: public humiliation, exclusion from team activities, assignment of menial or dangerous tasks as punishment, constant criticism disguised as "training," and threats to job security. What supervisors and veteran workers may view as "character building" is actually systematic psychological abuse that can trigger or worsen depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.

The impact extends beyond the individual victim. When new workers experience relentless bullying, they're more likely to leave the industry entirely, contributing to the ongoing labor shortage. Those who stay often develop dangerous coping mechanisms, with alcohol and drug abuse becoming tragically common responses to workplace trauma. The construction industry already has one of the highest rates of substance abuse among all occupations, with nearly 17% of construction workers struggling with substance use disorders – a rate significantly higher than the 8.6% national average.

The connection between workplace bullying and substance abuse creates a deadly spiral. Workers turn to alcohol or drugs to numb the psychological pain of daily harassment, to build courage to face another day on hostile job sites, or to sleep despite racing thoughts about work-related trauma. What begins as occasional self-medication quickly escalates into dependency as the bullying continues. The shame of developing an addiction compounds the original trauma, creating additional barriers to seeking help.

This may not come to any surprise but bullying in healthcare, particularly impacting nurses, creates a devastating ripple effect that extends far beyond individual victims to compromise patient safety and organizational effectiveness. Nurse-to-nurse bullying, often manifesting as verbal abuse, exclusion, sabotage, or public humiliation, contributes significantly to the nursing shortage crisis as experienced nurses leave the profession and new graduates abandon their careers within their first year. This toxic behavior not only causes psychological trauma, anxiety, and burnout among nursing staff but also creates communication breakdowns that can lead to medical errors, delayed patient care, and increased mortality rates. The hierarchical nature of healthcare settings can perpetuate these behaviors, with some viewing aggression as a rite of passage or normal workplace culture, while the high-stress environment provides convenient justification for unprofessional conduct. Research consistently demonstrates that healthcare organizations with higher rates of workplace bullying experience increased turnover, reduced job satisfaction, compromised teamwork, and ultimately, poorer patient outcomes, making the elimination of bullying not just an ethical imperative but a critical patient safety issue.

This toxic combination of workplace bullying and substance abuse dramatically increases suicide risk. Research consistently shows that individuals with substance use disorders are six times more likely to attempt suicide than those without addiction. When combined with the psychological damage of workplace harassment, this creates a perfect storm of despair. Many construction workers who die by suicide have histories of both workplace trauma and substance abuse, highlighting the interconnected nature of these crises.

The culture of heavy drinking that permeates many construction sites and demanding nursing schedules normalizes alcohol use while simultaneously perpetuating bullying behaviors. After-work drinking sessions often become venues for continued harassment, where power dynamics play out in bars and social settings. Workers who don't participate in drinking culture may face additional exclusion and ridicule, while those who do participate may find themselves deeper in both addiction and workplace trauma cycles.

Research shows that workplace bullying can lead to symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder, including hypervigilance, sleep disturbances, and intrusive thoughts about work situations. When individuals attempt to self-medicate these symptoms with alcohol or drugs, they often experience temporary relief followed by worsening symptoms as substances disrupt sleep patterns, increase anxiety, and impair emotional regulation. The stress of daily harassment combined with substance-induced mood instability can weaken immune systems, making workers more susceptible to illness and injury.

The financial cost is staggering too. Companies with bullying cultures experience higher turnover rates, increased workers' compensation claims, reduced productivity, and potential legal liability. More importantly, the human cost is immeasurable when considering the families torn apart by suicide and the preventable loss of skilled professionals.

Change begins with leadership recognizing that "tough love" and hazing are not effective training methods – they're forms of workplace violence that contribute to both mental health crises and substance abuse epidemics. Progressive construction companies are implementing comprehensive approaches that include zero-tolerance policies for bullying, substance abuse prevention and treatment programs, establishing mentorship programs that focus on support rather than intimidation, creating anonymous reporting systems for harassment, and providing employee assistance programs that address both workplace trauma and addiction simultaneously.

Addressing the bullying-substance abuse-suicide connection requires integrated solutions. Companies must recognize that workplace harassment often drives workers to self-medicate, creating additional safety hazards and mental health risks. Employee assistance programs should specifically address trauma-related substance use, offering confidential counseling that understands the unique pressures of construction work culture.

Supervisors and veteran workers must understand that their role is to build up their colleagues, not break them down. True strength in the construction industry comes from teamwork, mutual respect, and creating an environment where everyone can perform their best work safely. The old ways of "making men" out of new workers through psychological torture must end, along with the drinking culture that often accompanies and reinforces these harmful traditions.

Managing nursing burnout is vital for healthcare workers and their ability to avoid workplace injury and overall mental wellness. Bullying in nursing is often related to burnout, long shifts, and short tempers from patient abuses. Hospitals need to do more to protect their nurses.

If you're experiencing workplace bullying in construction or any other industry, especially if you're using alcohol or drugs to cope, know that it's not normal, it's not acceptable, and it's not your fault. The combination of workplace trauma and substance use significantly increases suicide risk, making it crucial to seek help immediately. Reach out to your company's employee assistance program, contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for substance abuse and mental health treatment referrals, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline if you're having thoughts of self-harm, or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's Veterans Crisis Line if you're a veteran. Your mental health matters, you're not alone in this struggle, and there are people ready to help you break free from both workplace trauma and substance abuse cycles.

Healthtek offers a variety of suicide prevention and mental health tools to help with these vital issues. We've also partnered with LivWell Partners, who offers suicide prevention training for the workplace using a combination of instruction, art, and wellness technology. Take a look to see if we can help.

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From Bystander to Upstander:

Why Speaking Up Matters

Every day, people witness situations where someone is being treated unfairly, bullied, or harmed. In these moments, bystanders face a choice: stay silent or take action to help stop the behavior and support the person being harmed. August is recognized as Bystander Awareness Month as a reminder that we all share responsibility in creating safe, supportive, and respectful communities. Whether it’s at school, work, online, or in public spaces, speaking up when something is wrong takes courage—but it also has the power to change the outcome.

Read More →

Beyond the Playground:

Adult Bullying in Educational Settings

We've likely all experienced bullying in our life at some point. When we think of bullying in schools, we typically imagine student-to-student harassment. However, a darker reality exists within educational institutions: adult-to-adult workplace bullying that creates toxic environments affecting not just educators, but ultimately the students they serve. The teaching profession, already strained by high stress and low resources, is being further devastated by systematic workplace harassment that's driving talented educators from the field.

Educational workplace bullying takes many forms, from administrators who use intimidation tactics and micromanagement to isolate teachers, to colleagues who engage in social exclusion and professional sabotage. Teachers report being subjected to unreasonable workload demands, public humiliation during staff meetings, exclusion from important communications, and retaliation for advocating for students or expressing concerns about policies.

The power dynamics in educational settings create particularly fertile ground for bullying behaviors. Principals and administrators hold significant authority over teachers' career advancement, job security, and daily working conditions. This imbalance makes it difficult for targets to speak up or defend themselves without fear of professional retaliation. Many teachers report feeling trapped in hostile environments because changing schools or districts can be challenging due to certification requirements and the specialized nature of their profession.

The mental health impact on educators is severe and multifaceted. Teachers experiencing workplace bullying show higher rates of depression, anxiety, and burnout syndrome. The constant stress of navigating a hostile work environment while trying to provide quality education creates cognitive overload that affects job performance and personal well-being. Many educators develop physical symptoms including chronic headaches, sleep disorders, and digestive issues directly related to workplace stress.

Perhaps most tragically, the effects of adult bullying in schools extend far beyond the targeted educators. When teachers are stressed, demoralized, and mentally exhausted from workplace harassment, their ability to connect with and support students diminishes. Students can sense tension and negativity in their learning environment, which affects their own mental health and academic performance. This creates a cascade effect where adult workplace toxicity ultimately harms the very children the educational system is meant to serve.

The teaching profession has already lost hundreds of thousands of educators in recent years, with workplace culture cited as a primary factor in the exodus. Bullying accelerates this trend by pushing out experienced teachers who might otherwise have decades of valuable service ahead of them. New teachers, who should be supported and mentored during their crucial first years, instead face harassment that convinces them to abandon the profession entirely.

Educational institutions must recognize that workplace bullying is not just an HR issue – it's an educational quality issue that directly impacts student outcomes. Schools with positive, supportive cultures for adults create better learning environments for students. Conversely, toxic adult relationships in schools create unstable, stressful environments that hinder student success and well-being.

Prevention requires systemic change starting with leadership training for administrators on creating positive workplace cultures. Clear policies against workplace bullying must be established and consistently enforced. Anonymous reporting systems should be implemented to allow teachers to report harassment without fear of retaliation. Professional development should include training on respectful communication and conflict resolution.

Teachers experiencing workplace bullying should document incidents thoroughly, seek support from their union representatives, and consider reporting to state educational authorities if local administration fails to address the problem. Mental health support through employee assistance programs or private counseling can help manage the psychological impact while working toward resolution.

Whether you're leading a classroom, training new employees, or mentoring colleagues, your words carry extraordinary weight. As educators in any field, we shape not just understanding, but entire relationships with learning itself. The magic happens when we strike that perfect balance—matching our deep subject expertise with genuine enthusiasm that draws people in. The most transformative teachers don't just share knowledge; they create an atmosphere where every learner feels invited to explore, question, and make that information their own. When we pay attention to both what we say and how we say it, we don't just teach—we inspire lasting curiosity and confidence.

Building Resilience and Recovery:

Practical Strategies for Healing

Stop Blaming Yourself (Seriously, Just Stop) – The first rule of workplace bullying recovery is the same as Fight Club: we don't talk about blaming ourselves. Your brain will try to convince you that somehow you deserved the harassment, that you were "too sensitive," or that you should have handled it differently. This is trauma talking, not truth. Workplace bullying is psychological abuse, period. The symptoms you're experiencing – depression, anxiety, that lovely cocktail of self-doubt mixed with rage – are normal responses to abnormal treatment. Give yourself permission to be angry about what happened to you, then channel that anger into healing instead of self-destruction.

Assemble Your Justice League (But Call Them Friends) – Recovery from workplace trauma isn't a solo mission, despite what every superhero movie tells us. Professional therapy isn't optional here; it's essential maintenance for your mental health. Cognitive-behavioral therapy works wonders for rewiring those negative thought patterns bullies love to install in your brain. Meanwhile, build a support network of people who actually give a damn about your wellbeing. Join survivor support groups, reconnect with friends who knew you before work turned toxic, and consider online communities where people understand that "just get a thicker skin" isn't helpful advice. Healing happens in relationship with others, not in isolation with a pint of ice cream (though ice cream has its place too).

Rebuild Your Professional Swagger (One Small Win at a Time) – Your confidence didn't disappear overnight, and it won't return that way either. Start documenting your skills, accomplishments, and every piece of positive feedback you've ever received. Take that certification course you've been considering, volunteer for projects that remind you why you're good at what you do, or start a side hustle that puts you back in control. Learn to recognize red flags in workplace cultures faster than you can spot a bad Tinder profile. Practice setting boundaries like your mental health depends on it – because it does. And build that emergency fund so you never again feel trapped in a toxic job because you can't afford to leave.

Transform Your Trauma into Your Superpower – This sounds like motivational poster nonsense, but bear with me. Many workplace bullying survivors discover that their experience, while painful, gives them unique insight into creating positive change. Some become advocates for workplace reform, others mentor colleagues facing similar situations, and many simply become the supportive coworker they wish they'd had during their darkest days. Your story matters, and when you're ready to share it, you might be surprised how many people need to hear it. Recovery isn't just about getting back to who you were – it's about becoming someone stronger, wiser, and absolutely unwilling to let others suffer in silence. Remember: the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7, and healing isn't linear, but it is possible.

Let's have an open dialogue on how bullying has impacted you or your colleagues.

If you want to have a heart-to-heart chat, please let me know.

Talk soon,

Yon Hardisty