I think the differences are not hard-edged. Rather, academia is a "category" because of particular circumstances that allow bosses to groom victims and escape scrutiny. Perhaps two notable features are:
1. Your career is dependent on staying in the good graces of your present and former bosses. When I changed industry jobs, I didn't get permission from my boss, I'm pretty darn sure nobody ever contacted any of my former bosses, or seriously questioned why I was looking for a new job.
2. There is literally no direct supervision or observation of professors. They are free agents, in both teaching and managing their subordinates (grad students, postdocs, research staff). Most of those people probably have never even met their boss's boss. They are completely isolated within their silo.
3. Many of the workers are just starting in their careers, thus are less likely to have the experience and confidence to confront a toxic boss.
I always re-iterate in these discussion that I had a great professor in grad school, and we're still friends.
1. Your career is dependent on staying in the good graces of your present and former bosses. When I changed industry jobs, I didn't get permission from my boss, I'm pretty darn sure nobody ever contacted any of my former bosses, or seriously questioned why I was looking for a new job.
2. There is literally no direct supervision or observation of professors. They are free agents, in both teaching and managing their subordinates (grad students, postdocs, research staff). Most of those people probably have never even met their boss's boss. They are completely isolated within their silo.
3. Many of the workers are just starting in their careers, thus are less likely to have the experience and confidence to confront a toxic boss.
I always re-iterate in these discussion that I had a great professor in grad school, and we're still friends.