Conflict In The Cyber Office

Bullying in the workplace is not limited to the office. How does one detect and deal with it in the virtual workspace?

- Amanda Visser

Remote working conditions brought our offices into our homes, and with it came all the other realities, such as conflict with the boss and co-workers and … cyberbullies.

However, the spats and bullying are more private and difficult to detect. According to a recent US study involving 1 000 remote workers, 42% experienced conflict with their boss with 36% saying their boss was too aggressive in their texts. Almost 70% of those said their boss cursed at them in the messages.

More than 80% of professionals in the US study experienced remote workplace conflicts, according to the study published by My Perfect Resume.

Although bullying is reported in South Africa, there are no statistics available, says Christine Steyn, founder and director of Dynamic Consciousness Coaching.

Bullying in the workplace manifests through unwanted, persistent conduct, which is serious, and demeans, humiliates, or creates a hostile or intimidating work environment.

Steyn says there is a rise in cyberbullying and virtual harassment because virtual workspaces are just as accommodating to bullying as physical spaces.

Conflict sources

The main sources of the conflict are stress about work (25%), lack of teamwork (25%) and rude behaviour (22%), according to the US study.

Marléne Nunes, owner of Self and More Integrative Coaching, says it becomes easier to “misunderstand” a tone or remark when people are working remote from each other. “Outside irritations can also fuel conflict. People may feel a heightened sense of anxiety and the irritation or anxiety can easily spill into the conversation or meeting.”