Abusive Workplaces: Calculating The Costs

There is a price to be paid whenever an abusive workplace is allowed to exist. Most see only the victim as the one paying the price for the abuse. However, the price is much larger since it covers all levels and parts of the organization. And the prices goes higher the longer the abuse is allowed to go on. Here are some insights into what the true price. 

The first and most obvious damage is to the victims and those that witness the abuse. After experiencing or witnessing an act of abuse, people are less focused on the work and more preoccupied by what might be going on around them. Some are less likely to step up and put themselves in a position where they might be abused. Making suggestions or risk taking can put them into the line of fire. In situations where abuse is ongoing and prolonged, the effects are even more striking. Absenteeism and turnover skyrockets. The stress leads to a breakdown in both the physical and mental processes. At the very least, there is going to be a loss of motivation and energy. 

Hard as it is to comprehend, the abuser actually causes damage to himself as well. They find themselves surrounded by people who are not willing to cooperate or help. Career damage and humiliation can come when the victim decides to stand up for himself.  

Human resources and legal departments are central to dealing with abuse. There are legal costs in dealing with such abuse. Health care costs can rise in a high stress environment. Settlement costs need to be paid to victims and to abusers that are wrongfully terminated. Then additional costs are seen in the training that is usually implemented after an incident to curtail any future abuse. 

Higher managers have to deal with the fall out as well. They spend time counseling or disciplining the abuser. And then they spend time in dealing with the victim and any witnesses. And if the abuse occurred with customers or suppliers, time is wasted there as well. Time is further wasted in trying to move people around to lessen the damage caused by the abuser. And then time is taken to interview, hire and train people who are needed to replace the abusers and the victims. 

And finally, the costs to the overall organization can be long term and lasting. With high levels of stress, there is a loss of productivity and creativity. Internal freedom of employees to innovate and take initiative is lost. If a reputation as being a poor place to work or do business develops, then there are problems with hiring new employees and recruiting new customers.  

No workplace should take abuse of any sort lightly. The costs to the people and to the organization can be very high and long lasting. Stand up for what is right and help you and your employer.