Letter to the editor: Workplace bullying deserves more attention

I hope your readers will take an interest in a social problem that does not receive enough attention: workplace bullying.

Workplace bullying is repeated mistreatment of one or more workers (the targets and victims) by one or more perpetrators. It is abusive conduct that is threatening, humiliating and intimidating and demeaning.

Research thus far indicates that 20%-40% of Americans have been bullied at work. Research also indicates that 45% of targets/victims suffer stress-related health problems. Existent research is split between studies that find that about 60% of workplace bullies are men and that about 60% of workplace bullies are women. Studies also find that 70% of female workers who are bullied are bullied by females.

My own theory is that what is going on here is what you might call the abuse and misuse of having power and control over others, and that it has an element and dimension of psychological and emotional sadism to it.

Stewart B. Epstein

Rochester, N.Y.

The writer, a former Squirrel Hill resident, is a retired professor of sociology, social work and psychology who taught at West Virginia and Slippery Rock universities.