Abstract

CARDONA A, Doris  and  BALLESTEROS P, Mónica. Psychological harassment: a more frequent labor risk de lo reportado. Rev. Fac. Nac. Salud Pública [online]. 2005, vol.23, n.2, pp.99-106. ISSN 0120-386X.

Objective: to review the psychological harassment as a form of labor violence to which Colombian and worldwide worker population is exposed. Materials and methods: narrative revision of psychological harassment at work with emphasis in Colombian current situation. Results: psychological harassment at work has been defined as a repeated and irrational behavior with respect to a person or group of people; it grows and develops in the work environment affecting mental, physical and social health of the individual, his or her family, and the harasser, as well as the company performance. In Colombia, psychological harassment prevalence is estimated to be 19.8%, verbal aggression 12.8%, with bosses being the most frequent aggressors (40%). Discussion: the studied event is a recent though no new phenomenon which worldwide tendency is increasing; studies performed in Colombia report higher proportions in relation to other countries and there is not legislation to control it. Conclusions: psychological harassment at work is a risk that must be prevented by public health policies to mitigate damages caused to workers, families, companies and society.

Keywords : Psychological harassment at work; mobbing; labor harassment; labor violence.