Bullying rates reach 68% at some colleges, on par with emergency services — and students angling for better grades are the biggest source

An international study reports that bullying affects faculty and university staff through two distinct channels: workplace relationships with colleagues and supervisors, and conflicts with students over grades.

Rates reach 68% at some colleges

The study found bullying rates as high as 68% at some colleges. That level is described as comparable with rates reported in emergency services, placing higher education among workplaces where bullying can be a significant concern.

Students seeking better grades were identified as the largest source of reported bullying. The finding points to grade-related interactions as a central pressure point for academic staff, alongside conduct from colleagues and supervisors.

Two sources of pressure for university staff

Unlike accounts focused only on internal workplace behavior, the study separates bullying by institutional colleagues and supervisors from bullying involving students. This distinction highlights the different relationships in which faculty and staff may experience hostile or pressuring behavior.

The research was conducted internationally by Jason Walker with Zahra Moradi and Deborah Circo. Its findings draw attention to the range of challenges academic employees can face while carrying out their roles.

Why the findings matter

The reported figures provide a measure of bullying across parts of higher education and identify students pursuing improved grades as the most prominent reported source. The results also show that academic workplace bullying is not limited to interactions among employees.

Overall, the study presents bullying as an issue affecting university staff from both organizational and student-facing relationships.