Soft Mobbing in the Workplace

"When I started at the company, I was eager to grow. The role offered new challenges and the opportunity to learn alongside experienced professionals. For the first few months, it felt like the right place.

But as time passed, the initial enthusiasm gave way to something far more difficult- a growing sense that I was becoming invisible".

🚩 When Red Flags Start to Appear

It began subtly.

My name was repeatedly misspelled by some colleagues, despite correcting them multiple times. I was routinely left out of meetings and key decisions, but still expected to take action or fix issues afterward.

I wasn’t being harassed outright, but the environment was undeniably uncomfortable. Each day, I found myself bracing for the next unexpected demand or passive-aggressive comment.

I began to feel excluded, disregarded, and professionally sidelined. It wasn't until much later that I learned there was a term for this experience: soft mobbing.

❓ What Is Soft Mobbing?

Soft mobbing refers to a subtle, often indirect form of workplace bullying. It doesn’t always involve yelling, threats, or open conflict. Instead, it shows up in covert behaviors that slowly undermine an individual: emotionally, socially, and professionally.

Here’s what soft mobbing can look like:

1. Isolation and Exclusion

• Being deliberately left out of meetings, conversations, or email threads.

• Exclusion from team activities or decision-making processes.

• Creating a sense of social or professional isolation within the team.

2. Minimization of Value

• Dismissing or ignoring input and contributions.

• Delegating only undesirable or menial tasks.

• Making someone feel underused or useless despite their qualifications.

3. Deceit and Withholding Information

• Concealing critical updates or deliberately withholding context.

• Lying or misleading someone about expectations or project timelines.

• Blaming the employee for outcomes they weren’t fully informed about.

4. Manipulation of Roles and Expectations

• Shifting responsibilities without explanation or proper handover.

• Offering empty promises about promotions or projects that never materialize.

• Blocking progress or opportunities for advancement.

While soft mobbing may not leave physical scars, its effects are real and long-lasting:

• Constant anxiety and self-doubt

• Fear of unexpected criticism or failure

• Emotional burnout and disengagement

• A loss of confidence and professional motivation

At its core, soft mobbing is about control, often driven by insecurity, poor leadership, or toxic workplace culture.

Mobbing is a broader term used to describe repeated, systematic mistreatment of an individual, often carried out by a group or enabled by a culture of silence. It’s also referred to as psychological harassment or workplace bullying.

🌱 Moving Forward

Working in a toxic environment like this was one of the most difficult professional experiences I’ve had. It affected my mental health, my confidence, and my outlook on workplace dynamics.

But I also learned something valuable: Toxic behavior doesn’t have to be loud to be damaging.

Silence, exclusion, and manipulation can be just as harmful as direct confrontation.

If you’re in a similar situation:

• Trust your instincts: if something feels wrong, it probably is.

• Document your experiences, especially patterns of exclusion or deceit.

• Talk to someone you trust, whether it's HR, a mentor, or an external advisor.

• Prioritize your mental health. No job is worth sacrificing your well-being.

#inclusion #workenvironment #support