No gains, only losses in bullying

Comment ANTHONY DASS starbiz@thestar.com.my

BULLYING is a global phenomenon. It comes in many forms – whether it’s physical or emotional – and in various places – at school, work place, home and even in the virtual world. It cuts across race and gender, shape and size.

Bullying is more widespread than many believe or even acknowledge it to be. There are many reasons cited for the cause of bullying. Irrespective of the reasons one thing is for sure – bullying has grave implications, especially on the victim. However, it is almost exclusively treated as a psychological/behavioural problem.

Meanwhile, there is hardly any discussion on the economic or financial impact on the parties involved, especially on the victims from bullying.

So, for a change, let’s talk about the economic impact on the victim of bullying which could be rudimentary but can be an eye opener.

The negative effects arising from bullying on the victim can be very costly.

The reason being, the impact may affect the victim not just in the short term, it will more likely to hurt in the long term, depending on how much pain and how long the victim has to endure the bullying.

In today’s rising living cost, it remains unclear if a bully victim will be able to seek the right type of medical attention. Generally, medical costs are increasing. And in the case of a bully victim, it will most likely be far more expensive.

It is because, bully victims will have to seek not only medical attention but also require counselling, possibly therapy or rehabilitation. As opposed to physical healing, emotional and mental healing will need continuous effort over an extended period of time. It is a recovery process that is both time consuming and financially draining on the victims and also on their loved ones.

Even if the victim has the financial resources, the next question would be how long can that last?

Inadequate recovery can haunt the victim’s entire course of life. Apart from the financial strain, the trauma suffered by the bully victim may lead to his/her developing adverse emotional reactions such as anger, aggression, frustration, depression or anxiety.

These can potentially lead the victim down a dark and vicious path of self-harm or even becoming a bully. Loved ones around the bully victim could also be drawn into this challenging web.

Furthermore, the consequences suffered by the bully victim, especially from young, is expected to extend beyond the physical health.

Due to psychological stress, on a longer term, the bully victim may find it difficult staying on a job.

The feelings of fear and anxiety can be so overwhelming that the victim finds the working environment unbearable, becoming withdrawn and disconnected. It will take a toll on the individual’s work performance, adversely affecting the performance which will inevitably lead to loss of employment if not properly addressed.

From an organisation’s perspective, it raises their cost. They will need to spend time and money looking for new replacement. Their productivity will be affected due to disruption of work flow.

I know it is difficult to “calculate” the exact cost the bully victim or an employer with a bully victim has to endure. Yet there is little doubt that there are financial implication on the bully victim as well as an employer with a bully victim.

The time and cost involved in the healing process, the possible loss of employment, the fall in work performance and productivity all points to the “pain” caused by bullying.

Thus, it is important assist both the bully victims and bullies.

While the bully victims are traumatised patients, on the other hand the bullies may requires medical attention such as counselling and possibly therapy or rehabilitation as they could be suffering from emotional setbacks.

Thus, the need to establish ‘support’ system that can help redeem their self-esteems by inculcating and nurturing positive values like respect and trust amongst many other values is essential.

For the support system to function effectively, a holistic approach is important. Parents need to acknowledge and recognise if their child is a victim of bully or a bully. Schools, institutions and organisation also need to work closely with the parents and victims of bully and the bully.

It is important to remember the success of businesses and a nation depends on human capital.

If a nation experiences growing number of bully victims and bullies, it will potentially influence the standard of living, living style and work productivity of both the victims and the bullies in an adverse manner. Such negativism will be a deterrent to the development of “best” human capital, the core for building a nation.

In short, the economic consequences from bullying will be more damaging if the bully victims are left unchecked over a longer term.

Anthony Dass is chief economist/head of AmBank Group Research