Around 54 million Americans have been subjected to bullying. This silent epidemic wrecks havoc to company's productivity and workers mental or emotional health. Good for you if you haven't had a bully in your career. Well, how about witnessing bullying? Er, have you been the target but declined its ugly heads?

Here are some reasons why some worker become targets:

1. Achiever

Yes, bullies are jealous and envious. Once they see you doing great in your job and earning accolades, they would go green with envy, or green-eyed monsters if you will. They hate high performers!

2. Popular

Bullies do not want to be just a so-so compared to one so popular among the crowd. They would not accept the fact that you are adored by your peers-- and they are not!

3. Expert

Being one means people are always looking for your expertise than theirs'. Yes, envy and jealousy again are reasons for them to ruin your reputation. People shower you with attention which they think should be theirs, too.

4. Kind

Too much kindness, even to a fault, is one good target for bullies. They know you would not react or respond to their inappropriateness so they feel safe and secure in their dirty work.

5. Naive

If you are easily duped by them, chances are, they could make you the easy target of their sociopath tendencies.

6. Clueless

Same as above but slightly different. Bullies are good manipulators so you might have been duped many times without knowing it, only when you are done or finished by their slyness or what you will know in hindsight.

7. Weakling

Bullies see this person too dependent on others, sans independence of thoughts and deeds would make this one easy a target. Pressuring one to take side with them against their target, or else be the one victim himself.

8. Coward

Afraid to divulge the truth is likened to a fertile soil for bullies to plant their evil seeds in. The more you cower in fear, the more they enjoy their prey...the more they feel powerful.

If bullying is part of the culture in your workplace, there is no valid reason to stay there for the rest of your working life. Why work in hell? Do something before it's too late.

The author is a mentor of teachers in elementary grades in the Philippines. Aside from being a grade school teacher, he is also contributing articles to magazines just to make good use of his spare time. He has joined writing contest in the past, but until now, he is dreaming of bagging an award! This is why, he is now trying his luck in this endeavor--blogging-- to find his niche and somewhere, somehow find a way of publishing a book.