Document sustained workplace bullying, then choose internal complaint, police or arbitration according to the conduct
Bullied workers had about 60% higher later cardiovascular risk in one study, increasing with exposure. Another found roughly double the later odds of suicidal thoughts. Persistent humiliation is not necessarily a minor inconvenience to endure.
What it takes
Free to record dates, witnesses and exact words, keeping original chats and emails. Arbitration/litigation takes months. Changing jobs has the greatest cost and remains your decision.
What you may gain
Three Swedish/Danish cohorts included 79,201 employed adults aged 18–65, initially without cardiovascular disease, followed a mean 12.4 years. Nine percent reported prior-year workplace bullying. Cardiovascular disease, including coronary and cerebrovascular disease, had HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.28–1.98, about 59% higher; workplace violence had HR 1.25 (1.12–1.40), about 25% higher. Both showed exposure-response patterns. A Norwegian national random-sample cohort of 1,846 workers assessed three times at 2–3-year intervals found subsequent suicidal ideation OR 2.05 (1.08–3.89) after bullying; earlier suicidal thoughts did not predict later bullying. China has no single dedicated workplace-bullying law, so specific acts determine the route. Employer insults, corporal punishment, assault, illegal searches or detention can bring administrative penalties, damages and criminal liability where applicable. Violence or threats forcing labor permit immediate termination without notice and statutory severance. Employers must prevent and stop sexual harassment using authority or hierarchical relationships; victims may seek civil liability from the harasser. Labor arbitration ordinarily concludes within 45 days of acceptance, extendable by at most 15 for complexity.
Context & considerations
Grade B: health findings are observational and bullying self-reported. Start recording now; see recordings. Complain internally in writing and retain proof. Report assault, detention or public humiliation to police. If unpaid wages or social-insurance failures force departure, follow entry 7 and evidence preservation; calculate severance with entry 4. Exclusion, cold treatment and obstruction alone often do not fit a specific legal provision, leaving internal complaints, transfer or changing jobs. The source contrasts arbitration's stated maximum 60 days with potentially six months or more for first-instance litigation and self-funded lawyer fees. If overwhelmed, call China's 12356 mental-health line; see Chapter 1, entry 25. The author does not recommend resigning after every slight; weigh the costs yourself.
Research & references
Xu T et al. (2019). Workplace bullying and workplace violence as risk factors for cardiovascular disease: a multi-cohort study. European Heart Journal. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehy683; Nielsen MB, Nielsen GH, Notelaers G, Einarsen S (2015). Workplace Bullying and Suicidal Ideation: A 3-Wave Longitudinal Norwegian Study. American Journal of Public Health. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2015.302855; NPC Standing Committee (2007). Labor Contract Law, Articles 38(2), 46 and 88. https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2007/content_711013.htm; National People's Congress of China (2020). Civil Code, Article 1010, Supreme People's Procuratorate reprint. https://www.spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/202006/t20200602_463888.shtml; NPC Standing Committee (2022 revision). Law on the Protection of Women's Rights and Interests, Article 25. https://flk.npc.gov.cn/detail?id=ff808181841257210184281512de0eec; NPC Standing Committee (2007). Labor Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Law, Article 43, Ankang human-resources bureau reprint. https://rsj.ankang.gov.cn/Content-2150407.html