kindness-in-the-workplace — Kindness in the Workplace

Why Workplace Bullying is Still a Problem

Workplace bullying is a silent epidemic. It happens behind closed doors, in group chats, and in subtle power plays that can leave employees feeling undervalued, anxious, and even fearful. Unlike schoolyard bullying, workplace bullying often comes disguised as sarcasm, exclusion, micromanagement, or passive-aggressive remarks—but its impact is just as damaging.

According to a 2023 Workplace Bullying Institute survey, 30% of workers experience bullying on the job, while another 19% have witnessed it. The effects are profound—leading to stress, burnout, reduced productivity, and even higher turnover rates.

But here’s the good news: we can counteract workplace bullying with kindness. A culture of kindness, support, and mutual respect is the antidote to toxic workplaces. When kindness is practiced daily, bullying has no place to grow.

That’s why I created the March Kindness Calendar—a simple, effective way to bring kindness into the workplace every single day. But before we dive into that, let’s look at how kindness actually prevents workplace bullying.

The Ripple Effect of Kindness: How it Prevents Workplace Bullying

Kindness isn’t just a nice thing to do; it’s a powerful leadership tool that fosters trust, strengthens teams, and makes work a place where people feel safe, valued, and empowered. Here’s how practicing kindness actively prevents workplace bullying:

#1. Kindness Creates Psychological Safety

Bullying thrives in environments where employees feel isolated or insecure. When people are afraid to speak up or challenge toxic behavior, bullies feel emboldened.

Kindness flips the script.

A kind workplace creates psychological safety, meaning people feel comfortable expressing concerns, sharing ideas, and reporting mistreatment without fear of retaliation.

How can you help?

Encourage a quiet voice in meetings so everyone gets a chance to speak.
Listen with full presence—give coworkers your undivided attention when they talk.
Check in on someone’s well-being—especially if they seem withdrawn or stressed.

#2. Kindness Dismantles Toxic Power Dynamics

Many workplace bullies use their position or influence to control or intimidate others. Whether it’s a micromanaging boss, a passive-aggressive coworker, or a team member who takes credit for others’ work, the root cause is usually a power imbalance.

Kindness disrupts these power dynamics by empowering everyone—not just those in leadership. When kindness is the standard, no one gets to elevate themselves by putting others down.

How can you help?

Give credit freely—acknowledge others’ contributions publicly.
Spotlight someone’s unseen work—praise behind-the-scenes efforts.
Turn competition into collaboration—work together rather than against each other.

#3. Kindness Encourages Inclusion and Fairness

Exclusion is one of the most common forms of workplace bullying. Whether intentional or not, leaving someone out of meetings, decision-making, or social circles can be deeply damaging. It sends the message: “You don’t belong.”

Kindness, on the other hand, says: “You are valued, and you matter.”

By actively practicing inclusion, workplaces can eliminate cliques, favoritism, and bias, making sure everyone has an equal seat at the table.

How can you help?

Stand up for fairness & inclusion—if you see unfair treatment, speak up.
Honor boundaries with respect—don’t pressure colleagues into situations that make them uncomfortable.
Express gratitude beyond ‘thank you’—acknowledge the people who are often overlooked.

4. Kindness Builds a Supportive Workplace Culture

A culture of kindness and empathy makes bullying socially unacceptable. When an organization values kindness, bullies lose their power because their behavior stands out—in a bad way.

The key? Make kindness the norm, not the exception.

How can you help?

Make work feel like a community—foster teamwork, not isolation.
Lead with empathy, not ego—understand, rather than judge.
Radiate positivity, even in stress—how you handle pressure affects those around you.

The March Kindness Calendar: A Daily Challenge to Change Your Workplace

I know that creating a kinder workplace takes effort—but small, consistent actions can lead to big cultural shifts. That’s why I created the March Kindness Calendar—a daily guide to spreading kindness at work no matter what month you happen to be in!

Each day offers one simple action to help you:

✅ Lift others up with words and actions
✅ Make colleagues feel appreciated and valued
✅ Replace competition with collaboration
✅ Foster respect, inclusion, and empathy
✅ Create a ripple effect that transforms your work environment

Here are just a few of the 31 kindness prompts in the calendar:

📌 Be the reason someone smiles—Compliment a coworker’s work ethic or contribution.
📌 Turn complaints into solutions—If you hear negativity, pivot the conversation to solutions.
📌 Pause before reacting—respond with care—Take a deep breath before responding to stress.
📌 Lead with kindness—Before giving feedback, ensure it’s constructive and uplifting.

💡 Imagine if every employee in your company took these actions for just one month.

The toxic behaviors that fuel workplace bullying would fade—and a culture of kindness, respect, and inclusion would take its place.

How to Bring More Kindness Into Your Workplace

Want to start creating a kinder workplace today? Here’s what you can do:

🔹 Download the March Kindness Calendar and commit to daily acts of kindness.
🔹 Lead by example—if you’re in a leadership role, make kindness part of company values.
🔹 Encourage a zero-tolerance policy for bullying—make it clear that toxic behavior won’t be ignored.
🔹 Speak up—if you witness bullying or exclusion, support those affected.
🔹 Start meetings with gratitude—recognizing small wins helps set a positive tone.

By making kindness a habit, you help create a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and safe.

Final Thoughts: Be the Kindness You Wish to See

The workplace should be a space of growth, collaboration, and purpose—not stress, exclusion, or intimidation. By choosing kindness every day, we can actively prevent workplace bullying and make work feel like a community.

✨ It starts with YOU. ✨

So, are you ready to take the Kindness Challenge?

➡️ Download the March Kindness Calendar now and start making a difference—one small act at a time.

#WorkplaceKindness #StopBullying #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #CorporateWellness

About the Author: Kathie Owen

Kathie Owen knows firsthand the impact of workplace bullying. After years of dedication as a Corporate Wellness Director, she found herself in a toxic environment where leadership failed to support employees, and bullying behavior went unchecked. Instead of being recognized for her contributions—like creating successful health fairs, wellness days, and engagement programs—she faced exclusion, passive-aggressive criticism, and unjust accusations. Read this article about her experience with bullying in the workplace.

But Kathie refused to let negativity define her. She took control of her mindset, well-being, and future, transforming her experience into a mission to create workplaces where no one has to suffer in silence.

Today, as the founder of Top Workplace Wellness, Kathie helps organizations build healthy, happy, and high-performing teams. Through corporate wellness programs, workplace engagement strategies, and leadership training, she empowers businesses to cultivate supportive, inclusive, and burnout-free environments.

Kathie believes that kindness is the antidote to workplace toxicity, and her programs focus on employee well-being, stress management, and leadership development to ensure companies thrive from the inside out.

If you’re ready to create a workplace where employees feel valued, motivated, and engaged, Kathie’s programs can help.

From Toxic to Transformative: The Surprising Power of Workplace Kindness

Why Workplace Bullying is Still a Problem