There are many different types of verbal abuse that workers may experience. No matter what form the verbal abuse takes, it can cause significant psychological damage.
Verbal abuse can be explicit and overt. In other instances, perpetrators of verbal harassment use more subtle tactics. In some cases, long periods of malicious silence also qualify as verbal abuse.
Most people believe that they will be aware that they are being abused. This is not always the case. Because some forms of verbal abuse are not immediately apparent, it is important to understand all of the potential types of verbal abuse in the workplace.
Before you can learn how to prove verbal abuse at work, you must understand the categories of this type of harassment. Below are some of the most common forms of verbal abuse at work:
Criticism
Criticism is not always abusive. If an employee is not performing their job functions properly, their supervisor may be rightfully critical of their work.
But criticism is not always constructive. When a coworker or supervisor is unhelpfully critical, it may constitute verbal abuse.
Abusive criticism may take the form of persistent and unkind words. This type of verbal abuse can result in the victim feeling terrible about themselves.
Blaming
Everyone makes mistakes at their job. However, unfairly blaming someone to make them feel bad constitutes abuse.
In some cases, the abuser may blame the victim for the fact that they are experiencing harassment. Victims of workplace harassment should never feel like they are responsible for the unfair treatment they experience.
Judging
Passing judgment on someone in the workplace in a personal or hurtful way may qualify as verbal abuse.
Judgments about employees’ job performances are an important part of any functional business. But judging someone negatively for elements of their personal identity is never appropriate. Another form of abusive judgment is holding a worker to impossibly high standards.
Gaslighting
Gaslighting is a particularly insidious form of verbal and emotional abuse. Through gaslighting, an abuser causes the victim to doubt their own reality, feelings, and judgments.
Those engaging in gaslighting often dismiss their victims’ emotional responses or thoughts. If you are suffering from this type of emotional abuse, you may find yourself feeling uncertain about your own feelings.
It can be difficult to prove that gaslighting has occurred. If you need help after experiencing gaslighting at work, reach out to the compassionate workers’ advocates at the firm of Morgan and Morgan.
Name-Calling
No one should be subject to name-calling in the workplace. This form of abuse is usually overt and obvious. The perpetrator may use the following tactics:
- Racial slurs
- Insulting terms
- Offensive stereotypes
- Misgendering
- Inappropriate names
Name-calling is intended to harm the victim’s self-worth and self-esteem. If someone at your job has been speaking to you in a way that attacks your self-concept, contact an employment law attorney.
Threats
When an abuser relies on threats, they are hoping to control, scare, or manipulate their victim. Threatening unfair negative consequences if the victim does not behave in their preferred manner is never appropriate.
In severe cases of verbal abuse, victims may experience significant emotional and psychological effects. This can lead to difficulty succeeding in any future workplace.
Verbal abuse is unfortunately common but can be difficult to prove. If you need help knowing how to prove verbal abuse at work, speak with an experienced lawyer.