What term describes violence by a fellow employee at the same authority level?

What term describes violence by a fellow employee at the same authority level?

• A. Lateral or horizontal violence
• B. Vertical Violence
• C. Gossip
• D. Workplace Bullying

Answer: (A)

Lateral or horizontal violence refers to aggression by a coworker who holds the same level of authority as you. This term specifically describes hostile or abusive behaviors that occur among peers, rather than from a supervisor down (vertical violence) or from a subordinate up. It captures actions like verbal put-downs, undermining work, social exclusion, sabotage, or spreading rumors within a team. Gossip isn’t the same as violence, though it can harm, and workplace bullying is broader and can include vertical or horizontal dynamics. The most precise label for violence between colleagues at the same level is lateral or horizontal violence.

Lateral or horizontal violence refers to aggression by a coworker who holds the same level of authority as you. This term specifically describes hostile or abusive behaviors that occur among peers, rather than from a supervisor down (vertical violence) or from a subordinate up. It captures actions like verbal put-downs, undermining work, social exclusion, sabotage, or spreading rumors within a team. Gossip isn’t the same as violence, though it can harm, and workplace bullying is broader and can include vertical or horizontal dynamics. The most precise label for violence between colleagues at the same level is lateral or horizontal violence.