What is the concept of "workplace bullying"?

The definition of "workplace bullying" is accurately captured by the option highlighting repeated, health-harming mistreatment of one or more individuals by one or more perpetrators. This understanding underscores that workplace bullying goes beyond isolated incidents or rude comments; it involves a pattern of behavior that inflicts psychological or physical harm.

Workplace bullying is characterized by its persistent nature and the intent to intimidate or undermine the victim. This behavior can manifest in various forms, such as verbal abuse, unreasonable work demands, or even social isolation. The impact of such mistreatment can lead to significant emotional distress and health problems for the targeted individuals, highlighting the importance of recognizing and addressing bullying within a workplace environment.

The distinctions from other options clarify what workplace bullying is not. Isolated incidents of rude comments do not constitute bullying, as they lack the repeated and harmful characteristics. General competitive behavior among employees may not be harmful and can occur in high-performance environments without crossing into bullying behavior. Similarly, inconsistent feedback from management can be frustrating but does not meet the criteria for bullying, as it typically lacks the targeted, harmful intent characteristic of bullying behavior. Thus, option B presents a comprehensive understanding of workplace bullying, aligning with the broader definitions seen in human resources and organizational behavior literature.