Sisterhood, Not Strife: The Toll of Workplace Bullying Among Black Women (BLACK HISTORY MONTH BLOG)

The Silent Battle in the Workplace

For many Black women, the workplace is not just a professional battlefield—it’s a space where they are fighting to be seen, heard, and respected. But what happens when the wounds don’t come from the usual sources—racism, misogyny, or glass ceilings—but from within?

Bullying and gossip among Black women in workplace environments is a painful reality that often goes unspoken. The expectation of sisterhood and solidarity is replaced by whispered rumors, exclusion, and even outright sabotage. While workplace toxicity exists across all demographics, when it comes from women who share the same struggles, the pain cuts deeper.

The Mental Health Toll

The emotional impact of workplace bullying is significant. Anxiety, depression, and imposter syndrome all thrive in environments where psychological safety is compromised. Many Black women report feeling isolated, unworthy, and even questioning their abilities due to the internal conflicts they face at work.

Studies have shown that workplace bullying can lead to:

• Increased stress levels, which can contribute to high blood pressure and other health issues.
• Higher rates of burnout, leading to career stagnation or frequent job-hopping.
• A reluctance to trust or collaborate with other Black women, creating a cycle of division instead of empowerment.

What Do the Numbers Say?

Although workplace bullying and microaggressions are widely studied, statistics specific to Black women targeting each other are scarce—perhaps because it is an uncomfortable truth. However, data from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and various workplace studies reveal:

• 58% of Black women have experienced workplace bullying—often from other women.
• 35% of workplace bullying complaints involve gossip and social exclusion.
• Over 60% of Black women in therapy cite workplace trauma as a key stressor.
• Nearly 1 in 3 Black women say they hesitate to approach HR about internal conflicts due to fear of being labeled as "difficult" or "angry."

These numbers highlight a crisis that requires more than just personal resilience—it calls for cultural and systemic change.

Healing, Accountability, and Change

So how do we break this cycle? It starts with accountability and intentional sisterhood.

• Instead of seeing each other as competition, we must recognize that there is room for all of us at the table.
• Gossiping, exclusion, and undermining are not just "harmless workplace drama"—they are forms of violence against the spirit.
• Therapy, coaching, and workplace wellness initiatives can help unlearn toxic behaviors and replace them with healthier communication.
• Leadership programs should emphasize collaborative success over individualism, ensuring that workplace culture does not reward division.

If we are fighting to be seen in corporate spaces, let’s make sure we are not erasing each other in the process.

Resources for Black Women Facing Workplace Bullying

If you or someone you know is dealing with workplace bullying, you are not alone. Here are some resources that can help:

📌 Therapy & Mental Health Support:

• Therapy for Black Girls (www.therapyforblackgirls.com) – A directory of Black women therapists and a supportive online community.
• Black Mental Health Alliance (www.blackmentalhealth.com) – Resources for mental wellness and professional support.
• The Loveland Foundation (www.thelovelandfoundation.org) – Provides therapy scholarships for Black women and girls.

📌 Workplace Advocacy & Legal Assistance:

• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) (www.eeoc.gov) – File a complaint if you are experiencing workplace harassment or discrimination.
• National Workplace Bullying Coalition (www.workplacebullyingcoalition.org) – Advocacy and education about workplace bullying.
• Black Women’s Equal Pay (www.nationalpartnership.org) – Resources for pay equity and workplace fairness.

📌 Networking & Support Groups:

• Sisters in the Struggle (Facebook Group) – A safe space for Black women to share experiences and uplift one another.
• Ellevate Network (www.ellevatenetwork.com) – A women’s professional network with mentorship and support.
• Black Career Women's Network (www.bcwnetwork.com) – A mentorship and career development community for Black women professionals.

If you need help, reach out. These organizations exist to uplift and protect you.

A Poem: Let Us Be Light

Sister, I see you, don’t turn away,

We’ve walked through the same storms, we’ve battled the same gray.

Your crown is not my burden, nor mine yours to bear,

But together, we shine—a force beyond compare.

Why let whispers divide us when our voices can sing?

Why clip each other’s wings when we were born to bring

Legacy, love, and light to this space,

A reminder that we are stronger when we move with grace.

Lift, don’t wound. Love, don’t tear,

In every room, let’s choose to care.

For if we don’t, who will? If not now, then when?

Let us be light—again and again.

Final Thoughts: The workplace is already challenging for Black women; we do not need to make it harder on each other. Sisterhood is a choice, and it’s one we must make daily. Let’s redefine what it means to thrive together.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Have you experienced or witnessed it? Let’s continue the conversation in the future or in the comments.