MindWell-U: New university research study finds mindfulness training reduces bullying amongst employees

Toxic work environment? Online mindfullness training shown to help

VANCOUVER, Nov. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Online mindfulness training reduces negative workplace behaviours such as bullying, rudeness, being hurtful to others and trying to embarrass colleagues, helping to create a less toxic work environment according to researchers at UBC's Sauder School of Business.

Participants in the study took the 30 Day Mindfulness Challenge, an e-mental health tool that's also shown to reduce stress, increase resilience and improve performance. The Sauder School of Business study included pre-and post surveys and was conducted with 549 employees at two workplaces in June and July, 2017.

"It's well documented that mindfulness training has positive workplace benefits such as increased empathy, resilience and focus, but it's interesting to learn the 30 Day Mindfulness Challenge also makes employees behave more respectfully with colleagues," says Dr. Daniel Skarlicki, Edgar F. Kaiser Professor of Organizational Behaviour, Sauder School of Business. "This is important because negative treatment by co-workers is linked to stress as well as unhealthy conflict, ineffective teamwork, low employee morale, and poor performance.

There's a clear link between bullying in the workplace and poor employee mental health:

• In the U.S., an estimated 37 per cent of workers, or about 54 million people, have been bullied at the office. Of these, 45 per cent suffer stress-related health problems (Zogby International Survey).
• In Canada, 35 per cent of employees said they have been bullied at work and 17 per cent quit their jobs because of bullying (Career Builder Study).
• Employee absence due to bullying and harassment is estimated to cost $12-billion per year (Statistics Canada).

"Individuals, teams and entire organizations take the 30 Day Mindfulness Challenge because it lowers stress, increases resilience and improves performance, but now they're turning to this online training because it also creates a healthier, more collegial and tolerant work environment," says Ann Gallery, Co-Founder, MindWell-U.

The 30 Day Mindfulness Challenge is used by individuals as well as employers in academic, healthcare, business, and government settings across North America. The Challenge takes just 5 to 10 minutes a day online, is comprised of videos, podcasts, emails and texts, and includes a free buddy for each participant. The cost is $25 per person including a buddy or less for organizations training more than 200 people.

MindWell-U is a HealthTech firm that delivers evidence-based trainings. Clients include Coca-Cola, Harvard Law School, and WestJet. To learn more or register for the 30 Day Mindfulness Challenge, visit http://www.mindwellu.com/challenge/.

SOURCE MindWell-U