The Bystander Effect

Why are we silent when we should act?

You may have experienced it yourself: A colleague is interrupted, someone says something inappropriate, or an error is discovered — but no one tells you. This is the bystander effect in practice: The more people present, the less likely someone is to actually act. The psychologists Latané and Darley showed as early as the 1960s that this is due to disclaimer—we think someone else will intervene.

The Bystander Effect in Organizations

This effect is not only a metropolitan phenomenon, but plays out daily in working life. Research shows that employees often refuse to speak up about unwanted behavior, mistakes or wrongs — especially when more people know about it, but everyone thinks “someone else will tell you for sure”. This can lead to:

- Culture of silence: Lower confidence, increased stress and less well-being.

- Financial risk: Unaddressed harassment, bullying or security breaches can become costly.

- Lost reputation: When problems are not addressed, it can damage the reputation of the business.

What can we do?

Countering the bystander effect requires a conscious effort on the part of both managers and employees. Here are some measures:

- Practice intervening: Bystander training makes it easier to act when something happens.

- Clear responsibility: Make it clear that everyone has a responsibility to speak up, not just management.

- Recognize action: Praise those who speak up, and show that different perspectives are valued.

- Make it safe to let us know: Provide anonymous reporting channels and support those who take the floor.

Reflection questions for you and your team:

- When have you been a city dweller yourself, what held you back?

- How can you make it easier to intervene in your workplace?

The next time you see something jarring, be the one to act. Small actions can make a big difference to the work environment.

References:

HR Asia: The Pitfalls of the Bystander Effect

Aspect Group: How to Be an Active Bystander in the Workplace

WorkInConfidence: The consequences of the bystander effect on your organization

Worklogic: The innocent bystander — What would you do?