Employees Are Bullying Their Bosses—and Most Leaders Say It’s Getting Worse

A global survey of executives finds a little-discussed form of workplace abuse is rising—and many leaders say they get no help when it happens.

BY BRUCE CRUMLEY @BRUCEC_INC

Illustration: Getty Images

Much attention in recent years has justifiably been focused on the harm that toxic workplaces inflict on employees, especially when spiteful, manipulative, or abusive managers are responsible. But new study data indicates a far less acknowledged form of professional mistreatment is on the rise—one known as the “upward bullying” of people in leadership roles by their subordinates.

That flipping of roles in the typical toxic workplace scenario was quantified by Australian business consultancy Maureen........

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