Bullying and sexual harassment have very serious consequences for the individual, the team and the organisation where they occur. Such behaviour creates an unpleasant and ineffective working and learning environment.
Impacts on individuals
- Reduced self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Shame for what happened to me.
- Feelings of guilt.
- Fear of going to work/school.
- Anxiety.
- Depression.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Burnout.
- Health problems (nausea, headaches, increased fatigue, sleep disorders).
- Reduced concentration, motivation, slower work pace, increased error rate.
- Social isolation.
- Termination of employment.
- Early termination of studies.
- Carrying the unpleasant experience into subsequent professional and personal life.
- The stigma of being a victim.
Impacts of the team
- Deterioration of the atmosphere.
- Disruption of mutual trust.
- Disruption of cooperation.
- Dissatisfaction.
- Personnel changes.
Risks for MENDELU
- Low labour productivity.
- High employee turnover.
- Reduced quality of teaching.
- Increased rate of academic failure.
- Bad reputation of the organisation.
- Unpleasant working and learning climate.
- Unhealthy organisational culture.
- Financial penalties (e.g., fines imposed by the Labour Inspectorate).
All this complicates the management of the university and increases the financial costs of its operation.