This past year has been one of the most challenging years in recent history for the entire world. The Coronavirus or Covid-19 has brought most of the world to a grinding halt. Things like travel, shopping, going to work or school, visiting friends and family have all had to significantly change or stop altogether. The virus has wreaked havoc on people’s mental health and has caused widespread fear, anxiety and exhaustion. When fear, anxiety, and change are as prevalent as they are today, we see the tendency to display other concerning behaviors such as bullying and Covid Shaming. We have turned to attack others in our fear of the virus, or worse, social judgment.
What is Covid Shaming?
Covid Shaming is the shaming of others who get sick and are accused of not following the rules or guidelines outlined by public health. Covid Shaming IS a form of bullying and unfortunately most of us are guilty of this behaviour. It is happening both in our communities and our workplaces. Community shaming for example may be calling 9-1-1 on neighborhood children playing outside or posting pictures on social media of your neighbours’ activity. Workplace shaming is when employees have a negative assumption “She broke the rules” and purposely avoid people returning to work after full recovery from Covid-19 or asking them not to return at all!
Why is it happening now?
Fear and anxiety; a feeling of helplessness. This is causing people to be more judgmental. Bullying often occurs in times of significant change and happens when this change is triggered. These feelings are being accelerated by social media’s role in depicting false narratives from media and community alike. This problem has been exacerbated by keyboard anonymity; the power one feels to criticize their peers online rather than face-to-face. These factors, along with misrepresented media and social media echo chambers, have created the perfect storm for bullying to take place.
Bullying in the workplace has become more prevalent throughout the pandemic for a number of reasons:
• Separation between those who work from their homes and those whose occupation demands to be in person, despite the risks.
• Fear & Anxiety of those who have previously contracted the virus and the unknown.
• Perception that some co-workers are not following the rules either inside or outside of work, putting others at risk.
The effects of bullying can affect both the victim as well as the organization. Victims experience the mental effects such as PTSD/CPTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder & Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), depression, anxiety, and lower job satisfaction. But they may also experience psychosomatic symptoms and related illness. On the other hand, organizations can experience an increase in costs in hiring due to higher turnover rate, decreased productivity, and low employee morale. Bullying will also decrease efficiency, commitment, and employee absenteeism.
The Solution?
Besides ensuring your COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan is frequently reviewed and updated, organizations need to review their Workplace Harassment & Discrimination policy. Conduct training and/or remind employees that everyone has the right to a respectful and safe working environment, free from harassment, discrimination, and bullying. This should serve as a reminder not to judge one another because we rarely have all of the information. Organizations may also opt to increase privacy guidelines. Employees who are fearful or anxious must have a safe place to discuss their concerns with leadership. Overall, the message organizations should present is one of empathy and grace in these difficult times, to treat others as you would want to be treated in those circumstances – a challenging yet simple concept. We are all in a state of fear, but it is essential not to let fear control how we treat our coworkers and peers.
