Across South Africa, countless employees wake up every morning with anxiety and fear because of toxic workplace environments driven by corporate bullying. What should be spaces of growth, collaboration and productivity have instead become places where abuse of power, intimidation and harassment thrive.
Corporate bullying refers to the repeated misuse of power directed at employees or groups within a workplace. It often includes verbal abuse, victimisation, exclusion, passive-aggressive behaviour, cyberbullying, psychological abuse and even physical intimidation. Beyond damaging employee morale, it creates hostile work environments that strip individuals of their dignity and negatively affect organisational performance.
In response to the growing crisis, the South African Institute of Employee Relations Professionals (SAIERP) has intensified efforts to address workplace bullying and promote healthier labour relations. Established in 2025, SAIERP was formed to professionalise and regulate the employee relations sector while advocating for ethical workplace practices.
According to Lwandile Hasheni the Executive Chairman of SAIERP, effective employee relations are critical to both employee wellbeing and organisational success. He says SAIERP aims to promote fairness, accountability and professionalism within South African workplaces by creating platforms for collaboration, networking and continuous development among employee relations professionals.
Hasheni explains that bullying in the workplace is often rooted in power abuse and professional jealousy, particularly from individuals in leadership positions. He warns that failing to address harassment can have devastating consequences for both employees and employers.
“Corporate bullying leads to declining productivity, toxic organisational cultures and disengaged employees,” says Hasheni. “It also contributes to high staff turnover and long-term damage to a company’s performance and reputation.”
He encourages victims of workplace bullying to document incidents carefully and preserve evidence that may help expose perpetrators. Employees are also urged to familiarise themselves with company anti-bullying policies and report abusive behaviour through the correct internal channels.
However, Hasheni acknowledges that reporting abuse is not always easy, especially in organisations where bullying has become embedded in the workplace culture. In many cases, victims remain silent because perpetrators are protected by senior management structures.
To combat this, SAIERP is reactivating its Corporate Bullying Hotline, allowing victims to report abuse anonymously while protecting themselves from victimisation. Reported cases are investigated thoroughly before the organisation engages companies to ensure accountability.
As conversations around mental health and workplace wellbeing continue to grow, addressing corporate bullying has become more urgent than ever. Protecting employees from abuse is not only a human rights issue but also essential for building productive, respectful and sustainable workplaces.
For assistance regarding workplace bullying, email info@saierp.co.za
