When bullying and other forms of workplace violence aren't taken seriously at the highest level, then Human Resources and managers aren't encouraged to take those behaviors and attitudes seriously. When places of work fail to foster an atmosphere of dignity toward and among their employees, they are opening the door wide for all manner of incivility, hostility, aggression and potential violence. All problems can be addressed in a manner which maintains a respect for the dignity of the individual. This is the perfect environment for the toxic behavior of bullies. When individual dignity is ignored, the mentality of the bully reigns.
Human nature abhors a vacuum.
When standards of behavior are not universally based on dignity and respect, those who have the loudest voice will create the lowest standards. A company that is careless about, or fails to create rules of conduct with regard to hostile behavior, or other forms of unsatisfactory conduct, is failing to protect its employees, and possibly its customers. Both large as well as small problems which are dismissed, denied or allowed to go unresolved, will smolder and flame to large conflagrations. It is passive compliance with objectional behavior. It is destructive, harmful and often illegal.