Workplace Abuse – The Silent Contributor to Society’s Violence Epidemic
Ignoring abuse in workplaces daily is a significant contributory factor to the ongoing epidemic of violence across society, particularly domestic abuse. The continuous acceptance of intimate partner violence behind closed doors is reflected in our tolerance of abusive behaviours in professional settings.
Think about it – the acceptance of a manager’s contentious, passive-aggressive behaviour, the knock-on effect of a toxic atmosphere creating fear and the “who’s next” dilemma, or the insidious bullying of a work colleague while others turn a blind eye, grateful it’s not them.
We witness abuse daily in workplaces and, as a result, become desensitised to it in our personal lives. This bystander attitude contributes to the perpetuation of abusive behaviour by perpetrators, emboldening them to continue their harmful actions in both professional and personal settings. The frightening reality is that intimate partner abuse is often dismissed with a “none of my business” mentality – until tragedy strikes and society is left questioning why no one intervened.
When there are no consequences for abusive behaviour in the workplace, it breeds into the rest of society – in homes, on football pitches, and throughout schools and universities. The fear of being labelled a troublemaker rather than a truth-teller perpetuates this toxic cycle, allowing abuse to thrive unchecked.
This theme is the focus of our latest podcast episode: Abuse in the Workplace: Why Do We Tolerate It? We sit down with HR expert and coach Lynn Ferrari, who has spent over 40 years navigating the complexities of workplace dynamics. Despite policies, training, and awareness campaigns, toxic behaviours persist. Why? Because cultural change continues to lag behind policy advancements.
Bystander culture is a major enabler – people see the abuse, but silence has become the norm. In this episode, we explore how the normalisation of toxic workplaces fuels a broader epidemic of violence in society and why it’s time to break that cycle. From imposter syndrome to systemic exclusion, we uncover why women continue to struggle in spaces never designed for them and what needs to change.
This episode is a wake-up call. It’s time to challenge the status quo, call out abuse, and demand safer, more inclusive workplaces for all.
Listen now, and be part of the change.
If you or someone you know is experiencing anything discussed in this episode please visit our website for numbers to all Supports & Help HERE
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