Who Are The Victims
Victims may do nothing to attract bullying, they may just be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But bullies will often target people they consider a threat, perhaps because they are good at their job or because they are popular. A typical target is conscientious,competent and well liked by colleagues. By contrast, bullies are usually disliked by all except their superiors and jealous of attention given to others.
Getting recognition for work well done may be enough to trigger their unwanted attentions. Often a victim will have a vulnerability which the bully can exploit, needing to pay the mortgage, being a single parent, living alone, having caring responsibilities, going through a seperation, divorce, bereavment or belonging to a minority. Usually it is those who are less able to pack in their job to escape who are most likely to be victimised.
The caring professions seem particulary vulnerable to bullying. Perhaps public service workers are vulnerable because the bullied employee feels a responsibility to others. But Professor Cooper of UMIST argues that it is the unique pressure of the public services that creates a CULTURE OF BULLYING. But there is another type of bully, the one who cannot cope and takes it out on others. Excessive initiatives, heavy workload and a lack of resources are likely to breed more of these overload bullies.