Adult Bullying: The Silent Strain on Wellbeing in the Workplace

When we think of bullying, playground insults often come to mind. Bullying however, often does not end in childhood — and in adulthood, its effects can be just as damaging, if not more so.

Workplace bullying, coercive control in relationships, and social exclusion in professional settings are all forms of adult bullying.

According to NHS data, stress and anxiety linked to toxic workplace environments are on the rise, with long-term implications for physical and mental health. Victims often report low self-esteem, burnout, and even symptoms of PTSD.

The negative effects of bullying are not, however, limited to those targeted. People who engage in bullying may be operating as a result unresolved trauma, insecurity, or learned patterns of behaviour— and their actions can destabilise teams, damage organisations, and reduce productivity. For society, this translates as increased pressure on health services, more absenteeism, and reduced potential widespread across industries in terms of quality of service.

At Resilient Practice, we believe awareness is only the first step. Real, sustainable change requires creative, compassionate, and practical approaches — especially when tackling such a complex, often hidden issue. It requires deep understanding of both parties and the willingness to create healthy boundaries and foster learning and evolution on both sides.

We met with Dr. Tresidder, Dr. Staveley and Dr Bagshaw on their Health and Self-Care podcast to discuss this issue in more depth.

Join us with them as we take a deep dive to explore bullying behaviour in adulthood, what it looks like, why it happens, and what we can do to address it.

Listen as we explore innovative ways to build resilience, set boundaries, and cultivate healthier, safer environments in all our workplaces and communities:

👉 Available here: Bullying Behaviour – Health and Self-Care Podcast