Queen Bee Syndrome

I suspect most people think bullies in the workplace are exclusively male. It might be surprising then to learn that over two-thirds of women in the workforce say they have been bullied by other women at work. Such bullies are termed "Queen Bees". 

Labelled ‘Queen Bee Syndrome’, this kind of behaviour arises when women treat their female colleagues in a demoralising manner, either by undermining them or using their social stature to manipulate others into thinking less of them.

The study, which was written by London-based consultant Cecilia Harvey, founder and chair of global showcase platform Tech Women Today, describes Queen Bee Syndrome as the “biggest hindrance to women advancing in the workplace.”