Being Ignored at Work Is the Worst

Photo: Twentieth Century Fox

If you’ve ever suffered at the mercy of a bully boss, you know that it can be tempting to try to fade into the background at work, to adopt a never-mind-me approach. It might instinctively feel like it’s better to be ignored than constantly criticized, but, according to new research, the opposite is true. You’re better off being bullied than being ignored. 

More, from the University of British Columbia:

Researchers found that while most consider ostracism less harmful than bullying, feeling excluded is significantly more likely to lead to job dissatisfaction, quitting and health problems.

We’ve been taught that ignoring someone is socially preferable–if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all,” says Sauder Professor Sandra Robinson, who co-authored the study. “But ostracism actually leads people to feel more helpless, like they’re not worthy of any attention at all.”

Actually, didn’t Oscar Wilde already figure this out? Maybe the only thing worse than being talked about really is not being talked about.