What is psychological harm in the workplace?

Asked by: Viviane Homenick  |  Last update: February 18, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (41 votes)

Psychological harm in the workplace is repeated behavior, often abuse of power, that damages an employee's mental well-being, dignity, or sense of safety, leading to issues like anxiety, depression, or trauma. It includes bullying, harassment, threats, excessive pressure, isolation, humiliation, and manipulation, manifesting as verbal abuse, false accusations, or sabotage, and creating a hostile environment.

What counts as psychological harm?

Blackmail, coercion or intimidation are forms of psychological harm and these can be crimes. Psychological harm can also include name calling and harassment. Name calling and constant criticism can go on for a long time and can be very damaging.

What is an example of psychological abuse at work?

It can include insults, intimidation, manipulation, exclusion, or any pattern of behaviour designed to belittle, control, or destabilise someone. It's often called psychological harassment, emotional abuse, or workplace bullying, depending on the context.

How do you tell your boss your mental health is bad?

Can You Plan Ahead?

  1. I'm calling to let you know that I need to take a sick day today. ...
  2. I've been struggling with my mental health lately, and I need to take a few days off sometime soon so I can begin to address the challenges I've been having.
  3. I have been having a hard time managing stress and balancing my workload.

What is considered unfair working conditions?

Unfair working conditions involve unsafe environments, harassment, discrimination (based on race, gender, age, etc.), bullying, unequal pay for equal work, retaliation for reporting issues, or denying basic rights like breaks, leading to physical/emotional distress and potential legal action, with remedies like filing complaints with OSHA or the EEOC.
 

The anxiety narcissists cause in the workplace is dangerous

41 related questions found

What are HR trigger words?

HR trigger words are terms that alert Human Resources to potential policy violations, serious workplace issues like harassment, discrimination, bullying, retaliation, or a hostile work environment, and significant risks like lawsuits, high turnover, or burnout, prompting investigation or intervention, while other buzzwords like "quiet quitting" signal cultural trends. Using them signals a serious concern requiring HR's immediate attention for compliance and employee safety, though overly negative or absolute language can also be flagged. 

How do you prove you are being treated unfairly at work?

To prove unfair treatment at work, you must meticulously document every incident (dates, times, people, details), gather evidence like emails, texts, performance reviews, and witness statements, review and compare company policies, and consider filing complaints with HR or the EEOC, noting that comparator evidence (how others were treated) is key, often requiring legal counsel to build a strong case. 

Can a job fire you for being in a mental hospital?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The legislation ensures that those who are seeking treatment to recover from mental health are protected under the law, meaning an employer cannot fire their employees for seeking mental health treatment.

What is considered a mental health crisis?

A mental health crisis is a situation where a person's thoughts, feelings, or behaviors become so intense or unmanageable that they risk harming themselves or others, or can't function or care for themselves, requiring urgent support, even in people without a prior diagnosis. It involves feeling overwhelmed, out of control, and may include severe changes in sleep/eating, isolation, paranoia, psychosis, or suicidal thoughts, often triggered by stress, trauma, or isolation, but not limited to diagnosed conditions. 

What is considered mistreatment at work?

Harassment based on race, gender, age, disability, or other protected characteristics. Offensive or intimidating behavior, such as bullying or threats. Sexual harassment, including unwanted advances, inappropriate touching, or offensive comments. Retaliation for reporting illegal activities or unethical practices.

What are the five signs of psychological abuse?

Five key signs of psychological abuse include ** isolation and control**, verbal humiliation and devaluation, manipulation (gaslighting/guilt-tripping), threatening behavior (intimidation), and excessive jealousy and possessiveness, all aimed at eroding self-worth and creating dependency, making victims feel confused, anxious, or like they're "walking on eggshells". 

What is psychological harassment at work?

Psychological harassment is a form of vexatious behaviour that involves repeated hostile and unwanted words, behaviour, or actions that are painful, hurtful, annoying, humiliating or insulting.

How to prove psychological harm?

To prove emotional distress as an injury, you need to be able to demonstrate cause and effect. This may mean documenting changes to your regular daily routines, submitting letters from friends, colleagues and your employer, and providing proof of any medical treatment you've sought for your symptoms.

What is another word for psychological harm?

Psychological trauma (also known as mental trauma, psychiatric trauma, emotional damage, or psychotrauma) is an emotional response caused by severe distressing events, such as bodily injury, sexual violence, or other threats to the life of the subject or their loved ones; indirect exposure, such as from watching ...

What are 5 examples of psychological hazards?

Examples of Psychosocial Hazards

  • Work Organization. Management and supervisory practices that influence work processes, production, and performance. ...
  • Shiftwork. ...
  • Long Work Hours. ...
  • Fatigue. ...
  • Violence. ...
  • Bullying. ...
  • Incivility.

What is the #1 reason that employees get fired?

The #1 reason employees get fired is often cited as poor work performance or incompetence, encompassing failure to meet standards, low productivity, or poor quality work, but issues like misconduct, attendance problems (lateness/absenteeism), insubordination, violating company policies, and attitude problems (not being a team player, toxicity) are also primary drivers, often overlapping with performance. 

Can you get fired for having anxiety at work?

The Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA) protects employees from discrimination based on a disability—including mental health conditions like depression or anxiety.

What should I do if my job is affecting my mental health?

Handling job burnout

  1. Look at your options. Talk to your boss about your concerns. ...
  2. Seek support.. Ask co-workers, friends or loved ones for support. ...
  3. Try a relaxing activity. Look for activities that can help with stress. ...
  4. Get some exercise. ...
  5. Get some sleep. ...
  6. Practice mindfulness.

What is the #1 worst habit for anxiety?

There isn't one single "#1 worst" habit, but procrastination/avoidance, lack of sleep, negative self-talk, and excessive caffeine/poor diet are consistently cited as major drivers that intensify anxiety by creating a cycle of stress, worry, and poor coping. These habits often feed into each other, making it harder to manage anxious feelings, with procrastination often stemming from anxiety and then worsening it further.
 

What drink calms anxiety?

For calming drinks, focus on herbal teas like chamomile, lavender, and peppermint (often containing apigenin or L-theanine for relaxation), green tea for L-theanine's calm alertness, and warm milk with tryptophan; also consider water for hydration and nutrient-rich smoothies with ingredients like turmeric or ginger. These beverages, especially those with antioxidants and amino acids, support mood regulation and stress reduction, but shouldn't replace professional anxiety treatment.
 

What are the 3 C's of mental illness?

The 3 C's of CBT, Catching, Checking and Changing, serve as practical steps for people to manage their thoughts and behaviors. These steps help you to recognize and alter negative patterns that contribute to mental health issues and substance abuse.

How to professionally tell your boss you feel disrespected?

Here is a suggested structure you can use for this conversation:

  1. Tell the person you'd like to talk with them about something that happened. Set a date and time. ...
  2. Describe what happened in detail. ...
  3. Tell them how it made you feel. ...
  4. Tell them what you want to happen next. ...
  5. Make a plan together to continue the conversation.

What to do when you hate your job but can't quit?

If you hate your job but can't quit, focus on improving your situation by planning an exit strategy, finding fulfillment outside of work through hobbies and self-care, and adjusting your mindset by focusing on small positives and building relationships at work to make the present more bearable while working towards a better future. Upskilling and updating your resume are key steps for the eventual transition, but protecting your mental health by setting boundaries and maximizing non-work time is crucial for survival now.
 

What are examples of unfair treatment at work?

6 Common Examples of Unfair Workplace Treatment

  • Discrimination. Discrimination occurs when your employer makes decisions based on who you are instead of what you have accomplished. ...
  • Retaliation. ...
  • Harassment. ...
  • Favoritism. ...
  • Denial of Benefits or Promotions. ...
  • Wrongful Termination.