However, workplace bullying does not only affect its direct victims but also third-parties and observers (Einarsen & Hoel, 2015). One does not need to be bullied to be negatively impacted by its presence, especially in a workplace where many spend most of their days and weeks. To ensure the psychological well-being of all employees, there needs to be no workplace bullying or any other negative stressor. If the employees' environment is filled with psychological or physical abuse, they will be impacted by the negativity surrounding them and that could lead to psychological complications as well as more work-related complications.
Workplace Bullying and Work Efficacy.
The negative psychological effects of bullying have been shown to result in a severely decreased performance level. The output of good work is decreased as employees lose interest and happiness in working and producing results as their job satisfaction plummets. The low self-esteem from workplace bullying can also make employees underachieve and cut down on work results. Workplace bullying conditions victims to associate their workplace, and consequently work, with negative emotions and fear. While victims may not dislike their jobs at the start, after exposures to workplace bullying there is a high chance they will have increased intentions to leave, reduced sense of job satisfaction, and reduced organizational commitment (Einarsen & Nielsen, 2012). Their overall decreased motivation to work may most likely arise from the psychological ill health effects suffered, such as depression and anxiety. A study on nurses who have been bullied reported high levels of "anxiety, depression, and propensity to leave" on top of lower levels of job satisfaction (Quine, 2001). But psychological ill health is not the only factor in decreased work efficacy, physical ill health resulting from workplace bullying can also factor into decreased work output.
