The phenomenon of mobbing at work – initial report from the research

Purpose: The article concerns the phenomenon of mobbing in the workplace. Possible causes and consequences of mobbing are described, as well as the specificity of mobbing behavior. Design/methodology/approach: In order to illustrate the phenomenon of mobbing, terminological arrangements are first made. Mobbing is analyzed through the prism of both its causes and the mechanism of its emergence, as well as the anticipated consequences of its health, social and economic effects. In order to draw a picture of mobbing in Polish companies, an in-house study was conducted. They were of a pilot nature, and only selected results are included in the paper. The survey was conducted in 2021 among employees of West Pomeranian Companies. The research method used to achieve the stated goal was a diagnostic survey, while the research tool used within this method was a standardized interview questionnaire. The study also used secondary data taken from public statistics, thematic reports and academic research. Findings: Research was conducted to determine the nature of mobbing activities. Primary data indicate that these behaviors tend to increase, while the conducted research indicates that there may be some problems related to the lack of openness in talking about this type of behavior for fear of negative consequences. Originality/value: Mobbing is a phenomenon that relatively rarely becomes the subject of research. There are many difficulties, both methodological and technical, in assessing this phenomenon. The paper analyzes this phenomenon in the context of behaviors encountered in Polish companies bearing the hallmarks of mobbing. The article is addressed to employees in order to make them aware of the dangers of mobbing at work, but also to managers in order to improve psychosocial factors in organizations.