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Bullied on the job: Why workplace bullying is on the rise

An estimated 60 million people are affected by workplace bullying, according to the Workplace Bullying Institute.

AKRON, Ohio — It comes in many forms. Snide remarks. Unwanted touching. Taunting and teasing.

For millions, this kind of bullying doesn't end in childhood. It follows them to the workplace.

"There's a lot of crude things they say to make me feel uncomfortable," said a woman that didn't want to be identified. "Days that were bad with the bullying, you take that home and you don't feel good, you cry sometimes, it affects your whole life. It affects everything."

"I was absolutely shocked. I felt violated," said Jennifer Wolfe of Akron.

Wolfe served in the U.S. Navy eight years ago.

"There were times when my behind was smacked and the guys laughed it off. I was so young, I just kind of shrugged it off because I didn't know what to do," said Wolfe.

Her story is not uncommon.

Credit: Rachel Polansky

An estimated 60 million people are affected by workplace bullying, according to the Workplace Bullying Institute.

70 percent of bullies are men. Two-thirds of their targets are women.

Credit: Rachel Polansky

"I think it's [workplace bullying] one that's not addressed as much because it's work and you're a grown up and you do what you're supposed to do," said Colleen Ptak, a therapist at the Centers and Circle Health Services.

Ptak counsels victims of bullying.

"Bullying can absolutely have long term affects. Some people may deal with it and be fine, others it may lead to depression or anxiety," said Ptak.

And workplace bullying affects more than just the person targeted.

It can have negative effects on the individual and the business.

Tim Dimoff of SACS Consulting and Investigations says employers are vulnerable, if bullying is ignored.

"It's amazing to us when we get into some of these cases, what actually takes place, what's allowed, what's ignored and many times, how nothing is done about it," said Tim Dimoff of SACS Consulting and Investigations.

The women we talked with said they did not report the workplace bullying they endured.

If this is happening to you, medical experts say you should talk about it with a friend or family member, and you should report it to a boss or someone in human resources.

You might also want to try coping mechanisms like exercise or yoga -- Anything to put the bully out of your mind.

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