Workplace bullying against women in Pakistan is driving emotional exhaustion and job dissatisfaction among female workers, new research reveals. A University of South Australia study reveals that workplace bullying is significantly undermining job productivity and hindering economic development in Pakistan, where women are seen as subordinates. More than 300 female workers in Pakistan's education and health sectors were surveyed on gendered workplace bullying.
Findings from in-depth interviews revealed women had experienced various bullying behaviors against them including verbal, emotional, social, and physical/sexual bullying, such as casual teasing, insults, taking away of responsibilities, devaluation of work and social isolation. Women are disproportionately affected by workplace bullying, with 30% globally experiencing it (WHO 2021), costing up to four percent of GDP in less-developed nations (World Bank 2022). Pakistan's workforce is predominantly male (83%) with female participation decreasing from 24% to 22% between 2016 and 2022 (World Bank, 2022).
Associate Professor Connie Zheng from UniSA's Centre for Workplace Excellence, says male-dominated cultures, such as Pakistani society, influence the level of tolerance towards bullying. Workplace bullying is normalised in Pakistani society and occurs in casual conversation or for the amusement of others. We heard that often bystanders joined in, perpetuating the behaviour, and the affected women felt angry and weak.
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