It turns out bullying can get you ahead, at least at work. A new study from the University of Buffalo School of Management says workplace bullies tend to get positive evaluations and achieve more overall success in their careers.
Researchers gathered information from 54 employees of a U.S. health care firm, looking to see the relationship between bullying and overall job performance. They define workplace bullying as “systematic aggression and violence targeted towards one or more individuals by one individual or by a group.”
According to the study, which was published in the Journal of Managerial Psychology, many bullies are able to charm their supervisors and use manipulation to get ahead. Meanwhile, they bully coworkers and are able to play both roles because of their “high levels of social ability.”
Workplace bullying may seem like schoolyard banter that makes it into adult life, but it is very prevalent in modern workplaces. The study notes that half of American employees have witnessed bullying in the workplace and another third admit to being the target of workplace bullying.
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