There's a strong connection between workplace bullying and groupthink. When a large portion of colleagues in a department or office share similarities, like attending the same school or coming from the same background, they can form an in-group. This in-group might prioritize supporting each other. Anyone who differs in values, ideas, or work style, avoids going along with the group, or acts more ethically becomes an outsider and a potential target for bullying. This behavior resembles herd mentality. In my experience, ganging up on a single employee is a common tactic to solidify the in-group's position within the organization. Their goal might be to create a comfortable work environment for themselves, and they achieve this by bullying and pushing out anyone who doesn't conform to their established norms.