Driving fears are typically exacerbated by stress, and you can reduce that stress in the workplace if you simply ignore a hostile boss. While ignoring someone may seem like you’re not taking any action, it’s actually a passive-aggressive form of retaliation. And research out of Ohio State University found such retaliation can do wonders for your stress levels, work performance and morale.
The Research
Study One
Ohio State researchers compiled the results of two studies to form their conclusions, which appear online in Personnel Psychology. The first study examined two mail-in survey responses from 169 participants.
The initial survey aimed to measure the level of boss hostility in the workplace and if the workers retaliated in the face of such hostility. Hostility was defined as actions such as ridiculing, berating, yelling at or intimidating the employees. Retaliation included actions like ignoring the boss, decreasing their work efforts or acting like they had no idea what their bosses were griping about.
The follow-up survey, sent seven months later, asked participants to rate their levels of job satisfaction, negative feelings, psychological distress and commitment to their employer.
Results found that employees who didn’t retaliate in the face of hostility suffered from higher levels of dissatisfaction and distress along with a weaker commitment to their employees. Employees that did retaliate with their own passive-aggressive acts of hostility were free from the negative side effects.
Study Two
Researchers then had two more questions to answer. They wanted to know why employees felt better if they retaliated and if retaliation negatively impacted their careers. They found answers with a second study involving three online survey responses from 371 participants.
Survey No. 1 asked questions similar to the initial survey in the first study. Three weeks later, online survey No. 2 sought to find out if employees felt like victims in relation to their bosses. After another three weeks, online survey No. 3 examined career outcomes, such as promotions and the ability to meet income goals.
Results here found employees that retaliated generally did not regard themselves as victims. They were also less stressed as well as more committed to and satisfied with their jobs. One more finding? Their careers did not appear hurt by their actions.
The Bottom Line
The best solution would be to get rid of all hostile bosses. But since they still exist, retaliation through passive-aggressive actions can be an ideal way to cope. Note that a passive-aggressive response does not appear to hurt careers, although an outright aggressive response certainly may. That means you’re better off ignoring your boss than yelling, ridiculing or intimidating him or her.
A passive-aggressive response in the face of hostility can decrease your stress levels and, in turn, your driving fears. It can also save you from feeling like a victim while boosting your overall performance and commitment to your job. Additional benefits include feeling better about yourself and earning the respect and admiration of your coworkers for proving you’re someone who is not afraid to fight back.
Sources:
Photo Credit: kadinlarindikkatine via Compfight cc
