How Mean Girl Behavior in the Workplace Can Lead to Burnout

If you’ve ever experienced the dreaded mean-girl behavior in the office—the eye-rolling, subtle put-downs, and so on—then you know how damaging it can be to your work life. Too often, people don’t realize how destructive this type of behavior can be to their mental and emotional health, even leading to burnout. In this blog post, we’ll explore how working in a hostile environment can lead to burnout and the steps you can take to protect your mental health.

Quick Insight

Mean girl behavior in the workplace can contribute to an increase in burnout, as employees may feel reduced job satisfaction and motivation due to fear of being targeted. Additionally, the overall work environment can become more hostile and performance can suffer as a result.

What is Mean Girl Behavior?

Mean girl behavior, more colloquially referred to as ‘catty’ or ‘cliquey’ behavior, is an issue that affects many workplaces. From undermining to gossiping and even ostracizing coworkers, mean girl behavior is pervasive. It can involve one person or it can be a group of people who work together to exclude others. This type of behavior often begins without anyone realizing the negative effects that it can have on the workplace but, over time, it has been shown to create an environment of fear, drama and stress that can lead to burnout.

At its core, mean girl behavior is rooted in power dynamics. By establishing certain social structures within the workplace, some employees will become favored while others are disregarded or treated differently. Often times these structures are based on gender or race which then further entrenches feelings of inequality in the workplace. In addition, those at the top of the structure can use their status to engage in emotional bullying that takes away from productivity and morale amongst all coworkers.

On the other hand, there are those argue that some types of mean girl behavior is more natural than nefarious. They claim that this type of behavior is simply a way for employees to vent frustrations about their job or about each other and that it does not necessarily equate to malicious intent or workplace bullying. Regardless, even if such behaviors do not start with malicious intent, when left unchecked they can quickly spiral into something far more damaging.

The next section will explore how negative power structures formed through mean girl behaviors can lead to a climate of fear within workplaces and eventually cause burnout in employees.

• A study of 873 workers published in Applied Psychology in 2020 found that workplace mean girl behavior is strongly linked with increased levels of burnout.
• According to a survey of 1400 women published in Harvard Business Review, 61% of respondents reported experiencing mean girl behavior at work.
• A 2017 study of 538 Australian adults found that those who experienced Mean Girl behavior at work were 4 times more likely to experience psychological distress than those who did not.

Negative Power Structures

Power structures in the workplace play a major role in how much satisfaction and security employees feel. When the power structure is negative, it can create an environment of negative dynamics between coworkers. Mean girl behavior can be a result of such dynamics, as one or more people attempt to assert their dominance over others.

The most common form of negative power structure is hierarchical imbalance, where one person holds nearly all the decision-making power and privileges while everyone else is powerless to make decisions or speak out against the situation. This often creates conflict amongst those attempting to assert their dominance, leading to a sense of competition and fear among coworkers. In the most extreme cases, these dynamics lead to bullying, which further exacerbates feelings of fear and insecurity among colleagues who might already feel powerless in their roles.

Another detrimental effect of negative power structures is that they lead to work environments that lack trust, as different factions within a workspace become isolated from one another and unwilling to communicate openly. This leads to an overall feeling of isolation, where each employee starts believing they are alone in dealing with difficult situations or contentious relationships. Ultimately, this leads to feelings of burnout as workers are stuck without support, guidance or resources to deal with mean girl behavior.

Negative power structures can also have a demoralizing effect on employee’s self-worth as mean girls try to undermine them into submission through gossip and unfair treatment. This type of harassment can create an overwhelming sense of despair in employees as they feel constantly belittled and unable to defend themselves without risking further scrutiny or ridicule from their peers.

No matter what the origin or originator of mean girl behavior may be, its prevalence in workplaces can cause significant suffering for those subjected to it. By recognizing the consequences of negative power structures and addressing them before they lead to abusive behaviors among coworkers, employers can create healthier work environments where all employees feel trusted and respected. With this in mind, we can now better understand the effects that mean girl behavior has on workplace burnout.

Effects of Mean Girls on Workplace Burnout

The effects of mean girls in the workplace can be damaging both emotionally and physically, leading to increased levels of workplace burnout. In a team or organization where bullying or backstabbing is common, it can be incredibly uncomfortable and hostile, making it extremely difficult to get work done in such an environment. The lack of progress and security that comes with the constant presence of mean girl behavior can cause intense feelings of stress, anxiety and depression which can lead to physical manifestations like insomnia, fatigue and headaches.

At their worst, these effects can cause serious harm to an individual’s professional status and career advancement opportunities, if not treat appropriately. Mean girl relationships are also detrimental to team building efforts as they create tension between members and prevent productive collaboration from happening. This further leads to feelings of isolation and lack of security for employees which then adds to job dissatisfaction and a negative work experience overall.

However, not all cases of mean girl behaviour are necessarily negative. Sometimes the competitive nature between individuals can lead to positive results when channeled in the right way. Meaningful rivalries can spur healthy competition and increase productivity when done in moderation, leading to greater successes in the long run. It all depends on the motive behind the behaviour, as unchecked aggression and bullying will always be counterproductive at work.

In conclusion, mean girls have serious potential to damage an organization with their aggressive behaviour if not put under control quickly enough. By understanding how their poor habits affect an individual’s mental health as well as team dynamics, employers are better placed to provide protection against this type of mistreatment before it spirals out of control. The next section will explore some key considerations around possible causes of mean girls behaviour in order to better comprehend its origins and come up with solutions for avoiding the problem altogether.

Causes of Mean Girls Behavior

When discussing the causes of mean girl behavior at work, it is important to identify why this type of behavior is pervasive in many organizations. There are some valid reasons for women to feel as though they must compete for resources and recognition, but there are also more sinister motivations that can drive mean girl behavior.

First, research has found that when competition is high in a field or organization, female coworkers might use negative tactics to secure their own spot at the top. This type of behavior, which is often referred to as “queen bee syndrome” or “mean-girl syndrome,” can lead to behaviors such as gossiping, excluding coworkers from meetings, and making unfair comparisons and criticisms. This kind of behavior serves the purpose of allowing one woman to stand out above her peers.

However, there can also be some extrinsic factors which cause female coworkers to be especially prone to workplace rivalry. For example, certain cultural norms and expectations may create a climate where “putting other women down” becomes seen as an acceptable way to get ahead. Societies with a higher level of gender inequality have been linked with greater competition between female colleagues in the workplace.[1] Furthermore, if one coworker perceives themselves as having fewer resources (time or money) than the other they may feel obligated to resort to back-handed means in order to compete.[2]

At its core, mean girl behavior results from a combination of both intrinsic and external factors. Regardless of the cause, these kinds of behaviors can harm both individual well-being and team performance overall. Moving into the next section about “social impact and pressure” we will explore how mean girl behavior affects both those involved and those who witness it.

[1] Shapiro et al., 2017

[2] Booth‐Butterfield et al., 1995

Social Impact and Pressure

The social impact and pressure resulting from mean girl behavior can be both profound and pervasive. The psychological impact is well-documented, as mean girl behavior can create a hostile environment which leads to high levels of stress, lower morale, and in some instances physical illness. Furthermore, employees may fear retribution for speaking out against their aggressors or questioning the accepted group norms in an attempt to break the cycle of bullying.

On the other side of the debate, some research suggests that certain types of mean girl behavior—such as gossiping and cliques—may also come with psychological benefits. For instance, gossip provides a safe outlet for employees to vent their frustrations with coworkers without direct confrontation, and cliques may provide a sense of belonging and support.

Even so, evidence suggests these potential benefits tend to have limited value that typically fades over time when compared to the long-term damage caused by more extreme mean girl behaviors such as ostracism or verbal abuse.

Despite these benefits, individuals subjected to mean girl behavior in the workplace often feel overwhelming pressure beneath its subtle forms. Even when this type of behavior is not overtly threatening or malicious, it continues to put immense pressure on those subjected to it; feeling like one must conform in order to avoid becoming the target of ridicule or judgement is dangerous for mental health.

Ultimately, no matter how one chooses to view it, there is no debate that negative emotions are common outcomes of exposure to mean girl behavior within the workplace. Moving forward, solutions must be identified that minimize these impacts within organizations and ensure that all team members feel safe at work. With this in mind, the next section will discuss some possible workplace solutions for addressing mean girl behavior in order to prevent burnout.

Top Points to Remember

Mean girl behavior in the workplace is often very damaging, leading to stress, lower morale, and in some cases physical illness. While there may be some potential psychological benefits, like a sense of belonging or a safe way to vent frustrations, they are usually limited and fade over time when compared to the damage caused by more extreme forms of mean girl behavior. No matter one’s perspective on the matter however, negative emotions tend to be common outcomes of exposure to such behavior and must be addressed in order to ensure worker safety and wellbeing.

Workplace Solutions to Mean Girl Behavior

Mean girl behavior at work can be damaging not only for its targets, but for the entire workplace environment and everyone in it. It’s important for employees and management to recognize that this type of behavior is taking place, and take some concrete steps to nip it in the bud.

There are several solutions available to help address mean girl behavior in the workplace. First, employers should define performance expectations expressly, so that those who are vying for power feel they can compete fairly rather than feeling they have to resort to manipulative or aggressive tactics. Leading by example is also key – if bosses demonstrate respectful communication while also upholding expectations, their subordinates will follow suit. Additionally, offering areas of improvement feedback as soon as possible can nip misbehavior in the bud before it gets out of hand.

It is important to note, however, that some organizations may find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to how to address mean girl behavior. On the one hand, punishing people for engaging in gossip or passive-aggressive behaviors can seem harsh; on the other hand, completely disregarding those behaviors may give offenders an unintended green light to continue them without repercussion. Each organization should make sure to evaluate where it stands on this dichotomy and incorporate its philosophy into its policies regarding workplace conduct and acceptable behaviors.

Lastly, many workplaces have found success with instituting regular “check-ins” between coworkers or employees and managers. Not only do these meetings set time aside for issues related to mean girl behavior to be addressed calmly and respectfully by both parties, but they can also be a good opportunity for performance improvement feedback needed by the employee or group of employees who might otherwise not receive it or feel too uncomfortable to ask for it.

By looking closely at their day-to-day routines and incorporating certain strategies into their workflows, employers and supervisors can create a positive work environment that minimizes risk of burnout due to mean girl behavior. By taking proactive action now, organizations will ensure that all employees feel respected within their workspace when moving forward.

Leading us into our next section about: Looking at the Bigger Picture – let’s take a moment now to consider how larger-scale changes such as company culture or philosophical shifts can affect how we confront mean girl behavior in the workplace moving forward.

Looking at the Bigger Picture

When it comes to mean girlish behavior in the workplace, it’s important for employees to step back and look at the bigger picture. Unchecked negative behavior can easily spiral into widespread burnout among a workforce. Weighing potential long-term consequences of dealing with such behavior, from an organizational standpoint, should be a priority.

On one hand, if employers take measures against mean girl behavior too lightly, they risk giving tacit approval to such practices, hence encouraging a hostile work culture. This attitude can spread quickly throughout an organization and lead to serious repercussions in the form of depressed employee morale and even financial losses due to lackluster productivity.

On the other hand, those same employers run the risk of going overboard in their efforts to inhibit mean-spiritedness and risk creating an uncomfortably oppressive workplace environment. This could lead to resistance against authority and ultimately diminishing returns on any profit that is made due to demotivated workers or an unhealthy organizational culture.

It is crucial for employers and leadership alike to strike a balance between responding adequately to mean girl behaviors without overstepping and creating further issues down the line. Furthermore, it may help for organizations to focus on preventative tactics like better communication or developing designated processes for reporting incidents as opposed to simply reacting when burnouts have already occurred.

Answers to Common Questions with Detailed Explanations

How widespread is mean girl behavior in the workplace?

Mean girl behavior in the workplace is unfortunately quite widespread. It can be seen across all industries, ranging from large corporations to small start-ups. In fact, a 2015 survey of 1,000 American women found that 73 percent of them felt they had experienced or witnessed mean girl behavior at work.

This pervasive type of bullying can lead to a toxic work environment which can cause burnout, depression, and other mental health issues. According to the Mental Health Foundation, women are more likely to be affected by hostile clashes and cruel criticism in the workplace than men, with one study finding that one in five women reported experiencing this type of bullying at some point.

Clearly, mean girl behavior is widely present in the workplace and can have serious repercussions for those on the receiving end. Therefore, it is important for employers to take steps to ensure that their employees feel safe and supported in the workplace.

What strategies can be implemented to reduce mean girl behavior and its effects on burnout?

There are several strategies that can be implemented to reduce mean girl behavior and its effects on burnout. Firstly, it is important for organizations to model and reinforce values of respect and trust throughout the workplace. This should include setting clear expectations and boundaries regarding appropriate behaviors from all employees.

Secondly, leadership teams in organizations should encourage open communication between staff members. This can help to ensure that any mean girl behavior is reported swiftly so that it can be addressed promptly. It is also important to provide a supportive environment where employees feel comfortable discussing issues such as bullying or harassment.

Thirdly, employers should provide their teams with access to resources such as mentors or coaches that can help them manage their stress levels and prevent burnout. Additionally, workplace wellness programs can be beneficial as they encourage positive coping mechanisms and behaviors while teaching employees how to effectively manage work-life balance.

Finally, companies should invest in training initiatives that focus on teaching skills such as emotional intelligence and empathy among their staff members. These types of initiatives enable teams to better understand their own feelings and those of others, helping to create a culture that values mutual respect and understanding, both of which are necessary to reduce the effects of mean girls’ behaviors on burnout.

What are the long-term effects of workplace burnout related to mean girl behavior?

The long-term effects of workplace burnout related to mean girl behavior can be far-reaching and severely impact an individual’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. On a physical level, burnout caused by mean girl behavior can manifest as fatigue, insomnia, digestive issues, headaches, and more. Mentally, burnout can cause feelings of confusion and overwhelm due to low concentration levels. It often manifests as apathy and a lack of interest in activities that previously brought joy. Emotionally, workplace burnout can result in feelings of anger, sadness, guilt, shame, or numbness.

The cumulative effects of all these symptoms can negatively affect an individual’s personal relationships and overall satisfaction with life. Long-term exposure to this type of negative environment can even lead to more serious long-term health concerns such as depression or anxiety disorders. In order for employees to reap the benefits of a healthy work environment free from mean girl behavior, it is essential for employers to recognize and address any toxic patterns as soon as possible.