New book exposes covert workplace bullying affecting thousands in Finland

A new book by Finnish author Tiina-Emilia Kaunisto reveals how subtle, intentional bullying in workplaces often goes unnoticed, leaving victims isolated and forcing many to leave their jobs. The findings are based on hundreds of firsthand accounts collected through a survey.

Kaunisto’s book, *Piilokiusaajat ympärilläsi* (*Hidden Bullies Around You*), published in April, draws from responses by 570 people who experienced workplace bullying. She describes “covert bullying” as deliberate psychological violence that is difficult to prove, often leading to lost productivity, early retirement, or exclusion from working life.

Kaunisto herself was unknowingly a victim. Years ago, a colleague repeatedly belittled her work, which she initially dismissed as ordinary workplace friction. It was only after another coworker intervened—urging her to listen to a radio program on bullying—that she recognized the pattern. “It was a revelatory moment,” she said.

According to Finland’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, 31% of employees reported witnessing occasional bullying in 2025, while 4% experienced it continuously. Kaunisto estimates that tens, possibly hundreds of thousands, face psychological violence or discrimination in Finnish workplaces annually.

The consequences can be severe. Kaunisto cited cases where bullying contributed to suicide and long-term trauma. “I read about a workplace where people were broken for 20 years, and someone took their own life. Research confirms how devastating these experiences can be,” she said.

Five examples of covert workplace bullying

Kaunisto’s book highlights common tactics, including:

1. Blame-shifting
*A worker requested schedule changes to avoid a difficult colleague. Their manager dismissed the request three times, saying, “There are many Timos in the world—you’ll learn to live with it when you’re older.”

2. Undermining and dismissal
*A colleague abruptly declared, “You should’ve done your job better,” then walked away when asked for specifics.

3. Micromanagement and humiliation
*A coworker monitored minor tasks—like adjusting a parking disc—criticized parking choices, and rewrote instructions without cause.

4. Unreasonable workloads
*A cashier was expected to unpack and shelf excessive inventory alone, while managers denied overordering. “The amounts were routinely double what they assigned themselves,” the victim said.

5. Exclusion from communication
*Coworkers maintained a WhatsApp group for years without inviting one employee, who was also excluded from social events. “Not everyone realized I wasn’t in the secret group,” the victim noted.

Kaunisto warns that covert bullying often targets personal traits—criticizing competence, stability, or sensitivity—leaving deeper emotional scars than work-related harassment. Many victims ultimately change jobs, as interventions are rare and proof is elusive.

She currently works as a development manager for the Monimuotoiset perheet (Diverse Families) network.