Workplace bullying should be addressed openly, say Finnish experts

Workplace bullying harms entire work communities and should be confronted rather than ignored, experts told Finnish broadcaster Yle in a live discussion on Thursday.

Susanna Kalavainen, lead consultant at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (TTL), stressed that bullying—defined as repeated or persistent negative behaviour—can take many forms, including social exclusion or deliberate ignoring. “Even if it targets only certain individuals, it affects the well-being of the whole workplace,” she said.

Not all difficult interactions qualify as bullying, Kalavainen clarified. “A single incident of raised voices or rude remarks is unprofessional, but bullying requires a pattern.” She advised those experiencing such behaviour to speak up, either directly with the person involved or, if that feels unsafe, with a supervisor, occupational safety representative, or workplace health services.

“You shouldn’t stay silent. The issue can be raised responsibly, focusing on solutions,” she said.

Writer and workplace mediator Tiina-Emilia Kaunisto, author of the recent book Piilokiusaajat ympärilläsi (Hidden Bullies Around You), described “hidden bullying” as subtle, intentional harm that is often hard to prove. While Kalavainen noted that research does not widely use the term, she acknowledged that bullying can range from overt to barely noticeable.

A 2025 survey by Finland’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment found that about one-third of employees had witnessed workplace bullying occasionally, while 4% reported seeing it continuously. In the municipal and welfare sectors, nearly 10% of staff experienced bullying in 2024, according to the Kunta10 study.

The full discussion, hosted by Yle’s Ulla Malminen, is available via Yle’s live broadcast.