How Much Does Silence Cost? New Study by Our Researchers Reveals the Impact of Workplace Bullying in Healthcare

Monday 23 March 2026, 11:53

A recent scientific article co-authored by Assoc. Prof. Jarmila Zimmermannová from our department, together with colleagues from the Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Arts, Palacký University Olomouc – Dr. Simona Dobešová Cakirpaloglu and Prof. Panajotis Cakirpaloglu – addresses a topic that often remains unspoken in the Czech context.

The results of their research have been accepted for publication by the prestigious international publisher Taylor & Francis. The article, titled The cost of silence: workplace bullying, mental health and short-term economic costs among non-medical healthcare workers in the Czech Republic, highlights the seriousness of workplace bullying in the Czech healthcare system.

Focusing on non-medical healthcare workers in the Czech republic, the study clearly shows that workplace bullying is not merely an individual issue, but a systemic problem with far-reaching consequences. It affects not only employees’ mental health and well-being, but also generates significant societal costs. Bullying is associated with higher absenteeism, staff turnover, and substantial economic impacts. The article also provides an estimation of short-term economic costs and specifies their implications for public finances in the Czech healthcare sector.

The findings point to an important recommendation: greater emphasis should be placed on the prevention of workplace bullying and the cultivation of a healthier work environment in healthcare. From an economic perspective, investing in prevention today can lead to significant savings by reducing negative impacts in the future.

Interested in learning more? The full article is available in Open Access here: The cost of silence.

Publishing in such a respected international outlet confirms the high quality of research conducted at our department. We would like to thank Assoc. Prof. Zimmermannová for her excellent representation and congratulate her on this achievement.

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