bullying

Bullying is characterized by a pattern of deliberate, hurtful, and menacing behaviors. Bullying can have two aspects: physical—such as making intimidating physical threats, pushing, shoving, and invading an individual's personal space; or psychological—such as emotional intimidation that is mostly covert, including joking or initiation rites that may mask sadistic behavior. Employees who claim to have been bullied by other employees are increasingly suing employers. Bullying has become so common that a majority of states have passed anti-bullying legislation.