By: Amanda Hildreth

In today’s workplace environments, abuse of power has become a critical issue impacting the well-being of employees and the organization.  Instances of mistreatment perpetrated by those in positions of authority have raised concern for the urgent need to address power imbalances and create workplace cultures that focus on safety and respect (Counsel Quest, 2023). 

What Is Abuse of Power?

Abuse of power occurs when an individual or group of people who have authority over others due to their position, use that power unethically to meet their goals at the expense of others. Abuse of power is considered to be harmful, immoral, and unfair to others and often has negative consequences for Victims (Mankin, 2023).

Why Does Abuse of Power Occur?

While abuse of power is common, it continues to be an issue in many workplaces.

Some of the common reasons that abuse of power occurs  include (Peek, 2024):

• Lack of Knowledge or Confidence in Reporting: Oftentimes, victims of abuse of power do not realize they are being abused. Many assume that their experiences are normal and therefore don’t report them. Sometimes there also isn’t a clear path to report or an employee may not feel confident enough to report the issue. Witnesses often hesitate to get involved because they feel unsure of their role in the issue and can explain it away.
• Fear of Repercussions: Victims of abuse of power are often afraid to report it due to potential repercussions such as job loss, being blamed, or legal issues. Especially in a situation where the employee can’t report anonymously, they may fear being shunned by others in the workplace. Victims also worry that their claims may not be taken seriously and the lack of consequences could cause further abuse from the abuser.
• The Psychology of an Abuser:  People who are abusive or narcissistic may have Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Narcissists need to make themselves seem impressive to others, they lack empathy and crave power and admiration. In the cases where narcissistic behavior is present, an increase in abuse of power often occurs.
• Silent Supporters: Abusers often leverage support from employees in the workplace who fear that if they don’t support the abuser they will become Victims. This can create an isolation effect, where these silent supporters gradually ostracize other employees in the workplace. Over time this isolation may lead to feelings of paranoia. This phenomenon enables the abuser and prevents them from being blamed.

How Does Abuse of Power Manifest in the Workplace?

Abuse of power in organizations can manifest in a variety of ways, including (YourSafeHub, 2023, Peek, 2024):

• Reminding employees frequently  that they can be replaced or fired
• Shifting the blame on an employee, often blaming their incompetencies
• Forcing employees to work overtime without additional pay
• Humiliating employees 
• Enforcing company policies on others while ignoring rules  themselves
• Putting their personal goals and interests before the company
• Mistreating employees when they are in a bad mood
• Withholding key information from employees
• Ignoring or having negative reactions to employee questions
• Being aggressive toward employees by shouting or doing other harmful actions
• Seeking vengeance by pranking Victims, messing with their belongings or conspiring against them
• Using peer pressure to coerce support from others
• Manipulating others to put their interests before the interests of other employees or the company

While abuse of power can take many forms, all instances of abuse of power are harmful and have negative consequences on employees and the company.

What Are the Negative Consequences of Abuse of Power?

It’s widely accepted that leaders have the power to shape employees’ working lives.(Li, Ahmed, Syed, Khalid & Muñoz, 2022). Often, the negative consequences of abuse of power can be far-reaching.

Abuse of power creates stress among employees and colleagues, diminishes creativity, decreases performance and engagement and ultimately damages the reputations of executives (Keltner, 2016).  

Abuse of power can trigger a range of negative consequences, including: (Peek, 2024):

• Decreased Productivity and Job Performance: Employees are less likely to be engaged in the workplace when they are consistently anxious over how the person in power will treat them. Abuse of power can impact an employee’s motivation and mental energy, impacting their ability to complete job tasks.
• Reduced Physical and Mental Well-Being: Abuse of power can create a hostile environment, preventing employees from speaking out about abuse. A lack of clear communication can negatively impact employee morale, leading to increased stress and reduced well-being.
• High Turnover: Reduced morale and mental and physical well-being can lead employees to search for new positions. Abuse of power often drives employees to quit, resulting in increased turnover and decreased profitability.
• Legal Issues: Employees subjected to mistreatment may pursue legal action against the company. If the organization fails to address abuse of power, it could face legal liability.

How to Reduce Abuse of Power in the Workplace

To effectively address abuse of power, workplaces must establish robust support systems and provide comprehensive employee education. Policies alone are insufficient deterrents.

Abuse of power can be combated through (Chron.com., 2020):

• Code of Conduct Policies: While policies alone cannot eradicate abuse of power, a comprehensive policy is essential. It should clearly outline acceptable and unacceptable workplace behaviors, specifically addressing common abuse of power tactics. Severe consequences, including termination, must be outlined for policy violations.
• Levels of Intervention: If you see abuse of power occurring, it is important to address the issue immediately. Have formal interventions for isolated events. If a pattern of abuse of power happens, it is crucial to continue to confront the abuser. If the behavior continues long term, establish an evaluation plan for improvement. If the plan improvements aren’t met, take appropriate action against the employee, up to termination.
• Discipline: Immediate termination may be necessary when abuse of power includes Physical Abuse against an employee or results in illegal activity such as theft. The level of discipline needed for abuse of power depends on the impact of the Victim and the company, but may include written warnings, suspension, or termination.
• Leadership Training: Equip supervisors with the leadership skills necessary to foster a respectful and equitable workplace. By exploring various leadership styles and tools, team members will learn to adapt their approach to different situations.
• Establish a Support System: Creating a strong support system for employees ensures that no one will feel isolated. Anonymous surveys provide a confidential platform for employees to report potential instances of power abuse. To further support employees, clearly outline the steps for filing a complaint:It is important to ensure any investigations into abuse of power allegations are handled confidentially and fairly. Be impartial to the Victim and potential abuser. 

By striving to promote a fair and effective work environment where all employees can be heard without judgment or fear of isolation, we can reduce the instances of abuse of power in the workplace.

At Abuse Refuge Org. (ARO), we are here to support your personal healing journey towards your complete well-being. We bring solutions and real-time education for 21 different types of abuses. The most prevalent abuses are Sexual Abuse, Spousal Abuse, Physical Abuse, Psychological Abuse, Narcissistic Abuse, Financial Abuse, Self Abuse, Elderly Abuse, Isolation Abuse, Child Abuse, Bullying, Cyberbullying, Workplace Abuse, Religious Abuse, Medical Abuse, Food Abuse, Authority Abuse, Educational Abuse, Child Sexual Exploitation, Sex Trafficking, and Political Abuse. Support our efforts by visiting AbuseRefuge.org and NormTherapy.com to sign up for Norm Therapist® Training to become one of our dynamic staff members who serve Victims and Survivors of abuse worldwide, schedule Norm Therapy® sessions, become a Live Stream volunteer, join our mailing list to learn how you can make an impact on the Abuse Care Community, and provide life-saving financial assistance with a generous donation.

 

Sources

Counsel Quest. (2023, July 6). Power abuse in the workplace: Cultivating a culture of respect and safety. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/power-abuse-workplace-cultivating-culture-respect-safety/ 

Mankin, N. (2023, September 28). How to deal with abuse of power in the workplace?. Firmbee. https://firmbee.com/how-to-deal-with-abuse-of-power-in-the-workplace 

Peek, S. (2024, June 14). Understanding the psychology of power abuse. business.com. https://www.business.com/articles/psychology-of-power-abuse/

Your Safe Hub. (2023, July 11). Abuse of power in the Workplace. Your Safe Hub. https://yoursafehub.com/abuse-of-power-in-the-workplace/

Li, M., Ahmed, A., Syed, O. R., Khalid, N., & Muñoz, J. E. (2022, August 22). Impact of abusive leader behavior on employee job insecurity: A mediating role of emotional exhaustion and abusive peer behavior. Frontiers in psychology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9443933/ 

Keltner, D. (2016, October). Avoiding the behaviors that turn nice employees into mean bosses. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2016/10/dont-let-power-corrupt-you 

Chron.com. (2020, November 13). How to reduce the misuse of power in a workplace. Small Business – Chron.com. https://smallbusiness.chron.com/reduce-misuse-power-workplace-43541.html