Abstract
This paper examines the results of a workplace bully survey sent to faculty, instructors and librarians at a mid-sized Canadian university in 2005. The potential sources of workplace bullying by colleagues, administrators and students are examined. The survey determined that workplace bullying is of particular concern for employees that are newly hired or untenured. The systemic nature of this phenomenon and the spillover effect from one job domain to another are identified. The findings indicate costs for the university linked to workplace bullying. Costs include increased employee turnover, changed perception of the university by employees and reduced employee engagement.
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Appendix
Appendix
Bullying Behaviours Included in the Survey
Listed below are behaviours that have been considered to be bullying according to researchers (Boynton 2005; Namie and Namie 2003; Rayner et al. 2002; Coloroso 2002). Have you experienced or witnessed the following behaviours, initiated by an employee or a student over the last five years while at Carleton University ...? The first two columns refer to the respondent as a recipient of the behaviours and the last column refers to the respondent as a witness of the behaviours. Check all that apply.
Yes by employee | Yes by students | Yes as a witness | |
Gossip or malicious rumours spread about you/someone | |||
Belittling remarks made about you/someone | |||
Belittling and/or humiliating remarks made to you/someone in front of others | |||
Pattern of not taking your/someone’s concerns seriously, especially when contrasted with the concerns of others | |||
Ignoring, or overlooking your/someone’s work contributions | |||
Ignoring your/someone’s legitimate requests, i.e. insubordination | |||
Stopping conversation when you/someone enter(s) the room (e.g. to emphasize exclusion) | |||
Unwarranted and unprofessional remarks | |||
Punishing trivial errors you/someone may have made | |||
Verbal harassment including abusive or offensive telephone messages | |||
Written harassment including abusive or offensive emails, letters or memos | |||
Teasing or name calling when it is obviously causing you/someone distress | |||
Isolating, or ostracizing you/someone from others | |||
Overriding your/someone’s decisions without justification | |||
Bypassing hierarchy for complaints | |||
Questioning your/someone’s decision(s) excessively and/or aggressively | |||
Challenging your/someone’s authority | |||
Intentionally not being given information or equipment to do a job | |||
Unwarranted criticism of your/someone’s performance | |||
Purposely interrupting class to distract the class | |||
Purposely interrupting class to communicate lack of respect | |||
Removing areas of responsibility without prior notice or reason | |||
Alienating you/someone from colleagues | |||
Shouting, swearing or sarcasm directed at you/someone | |||
Setting you/someone up to fail | |||
Blocking promotion | |||
Being assigned tasks/responsibilities inappropriately or punitively | |||
Made the subject of lies or accusations | |||
Given an unreasonable workload or deadline | |||
Excessive monitoring | |||
Excluded from relevant meetings | |||
Excluded from social events | |||
Taking credit for your/someone’s work or ideas | |||
Being the subject of eye rolling, sighs, and/or dirty looks | |||
Being lied to | |||
Having your/someone’s property maliciously damaged or stolen | |||
Incivility and rudeness | |||
Being treated unfairly or differently than others | |||
Unfairly refused time off or leave | |||
Criticized for taking time off due to illness | |||
Implied threats of personal/professional harm | |||
Being talked down to | |||
Excessive pressure or coercion to change your/someone’s stance (e.g. change a grade) | |||
Uninvited comments about your/someone’s body or appearance | |||
Uninvited comments about your/someone’s gender or sexual orientation | |||
Uninvited comments about your/someone’s age (young or old) | |||
Uninvited comments about your/someone’s personal life or beliefs (e.g. religion) | |||
Uninvited comments about a disability you/someone may have | |||
Threats regarding your/someone’s gender or sexual orientation | |||
Threats regarding your/someone’s personal beliefs (e.g. religion) | |||
Threats regarding a disability you/someone may have | |||
Threats of personal/professional harm | |||
Racist comments or jokes | |||
Sexist comments or jokes | |||
Inappropriate physical contact like patting, hugging, stroking | |||
Intrusion into your/someone’s home life (e.g. unwarranted phone calls to you at home outside work hours) | |||
Inappropriate visits at your/someone’s office | |||
Physical violence directed towards you/someone | |||
Sexual assault | |||
Other |
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McKay, R., Arnold, D.H., Fratzl, J. et al. Workplace Bullying In Academia: A Canadian Study. Employ Respons Rights J 20, 77–100 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10672-008-9073-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10672-008-9073-3