When Workplaces Go Sour — Bullying at Work

  • Dianne Gardner
  • Michael P. O’Driscoll
  • Tim Bentley
  • Bevan Catley
  • Helena D. Cooper-Thomas
  • Linda Trenberth
Chapter

Abstract

“[the bullying behavior] took various forms- “‘It included putting fish oil in her bag, covering her with chocolate sauce, telling her that she was worthless and didn’t deserve to be here, — those sorts of things’ and ‘they would just grab her and hold her down and put oil over her so she couldn’t get away (this occurring) on three or four occasions’” (White, 2008, p. 2)

Keywords

Negative Behavior Organizational Psychology Workplace Bully Bully Behavior Royal Court 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Ametz, J. VSI Ametz, B. (2000). Implementation and evaluation of a practical intervention programme Cor dealing with violence towards health care workers, Journal of Advanced Nursing, 31, 668–680.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  2. Babiak, P. & Hare, R. D. (2006). Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work. New York: HarperCollins.Google Scholar
  3. Bentley, T., Catley, B., Cooper-Thomas, H., Gardner, D., O’Driscoii, M., & Trenberth, L. (2009). Understanding stress and bullying in New Zealand workplaces: Final report to OII&S steering committee (pp. 1–100). Wellington, NZ: Health Research Council/New Zealand Department of Labour.Google Scholar
  4. Bond, S. A., Tuckey, M. R-, & Dollard, “M. (2010). Psychosocial safety climate, workplace bullying, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress, Organization Development Journal, 28i’i), 37–56.Google Scholar
  5. Branch, S., Ramsay, S., & Barker, M. (2007). Managers in the firing line: Contributing factors to workplace bullying by staff — An interview study, Journal of Management and Organization, 13, 264–281.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  6. Brotheridge, C. M. & Lee, R. T. (2006). Examining the relationship between the perceived work environment and workplace bullying, Canadian journal of Community Mental Health, 25(2), 31–44.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  7. Cooper-Thomas, H. D., Catley, B. E., Bentley, T. A,, Gardner, D. H., O’Driscoii, M. P., & Trenberth, L. (2011). Is There a Double Whammy from Being an Observer and a Target of Workplace Bullying? Paper presented at the Symposium conducted at the 9th Industrial and Organisational Psychology Conference, Brisbane, Australia.Google Scholar
  8. Crawford, N. (1999). Conundrums and confusion in organisations: The etymology of the word “bully”, International Journal of Manpower, 20(1/2), 86.Google Scholar
  9. De Cuyper, N., Bailli en, E., & De Witte, H. (2009). job insecurity, perceived employability and targets’ and perpetrators’ experiences of workplace bullying, Work & Stress, 23(3), 206–224.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  10. Dewe, P. J., O’Driscoii, M. P., & Cooper, C. L. (2010). Coping with Work Stress: A Review and Critique. Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  11. Dijkstra, M. T. M., De Dren, C. K. W., Evers, A., & van Dierendonck, D. (2009). Passive responses to interpersonal conflict at work amplify employee strain, European Journal of Work and Organizational Psycholog1, 18(4), 405–423.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  12. Einarsen, S. (1999). The nature and causes of bullying at work, International journal of Manpower, 20(1/2). 16.Google Scholar
  13. Einarsen, S., Hoel, H., & Notelaers, G. (2009). Measuring exposure to bullying and harassment at work: Validity, factor struct tire and psychometric properties of the negative acts questionnaire-revised, Work & Stress, 23(1), 24–44.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  14. Einarsen, S., Hoel, H., Zapf, D., & Cooper, C. L. feds’) (2003). Bullying and Emotional Abuse in the Workplace: International Perspectives in Research and Practice. London: Taylor & Francis.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  15. Einarsen, S., Hoel, H., Zapf, D., & Cooper, C. L. (eds) (2011). Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace: Developments in Theory, Research, and Practice (2nc ed.). Boca Raton, FL, USA: Taylor & Francis.Google Scholar
  16. Einarsen, S. & Raknes, B. (1997). Harassment in the workplace and the victimization of men, Violence and Victims, 12(3), 247–263.Google Scholar
  17. Einarsen, S., Rakiies, B., & Matthiesen, S. (1994). Bullying and harassment at work and their relationships to work environment quality: An exploratory study, European Work & Organizational Psychologist. 4(4), 381.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  18. Ferris,’G., Zinko, R., Brouer, R. I., Buckley, M. R., & Harvey, M. G. (2007). Strategic bullying as a supplementary, balanced perspective on destructive leadership, Leadership Quarterly, 18i?,), 195–206.Google Scholar
  19. Ferris, P. (2004). A preliminary typology of organisational response to allegations of workplace bullying: See no evil, bear no evil, speak no evil, British Journal of Guidance & Counselling. 32(3). 389–395.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  20. Hansen, Â. M.f Hogh, A., Persson, R., Karlson, B., Garde, A. H., & 0rbask, P. (2006). Bullying at work, health outcomes, and physiological stress response, Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 60(1), 63–72.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  21. Hauge, L. J., Einarsen, S., Knardahl, S., Lau, B., Notelaers, G., & Skogstad, A. (2011). Leadership and role stressors as departmental level predictors of workplace bullying, Internationa! Journal of Stress Management, 28(4), 305–323. doi: 1.0.1.037/ab025396CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  22. Hauge, L. J., Skogstad, A., & Einarsen, S. (2007). Relationships between stressful work environments and bullying: Results of a large representative study, Work & Stress, 22(3), 220–242.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  23. Hodson, R., Roscigno, V. J., & Lopez, S. H. (2006). Chaos and the abuse of power, Work & Occupations, 33(4). 382–416.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  24. Hoel, H., Cooper, C. L., & Faragher, B. (2001). The experience of bullying in Great Britain: The impact of organizational status, European Journal of Work & Organizational Psychology, 10(4), 443–465.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  25. Hoel, iL, Faragher, B., & Cooper, C. L. (2004). Bullying is detrimental to health, but all bullying behaviors are not necessarily eq ually damaging, British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 32(3), 367–3S7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  26. Hoel, H., Glaso, L., Hetland, H., Cooper, C. L., & Einarsen, S. (2010). Leadership styles as predictors of self-reported and observed workplace bullying, British Journal of Management, 21, 453–468. doi: 10.1111/1.1467–8551.2009.00664.xGoogle Scholar
  27. Hoel, H., Rayner, C., & Cooper, C. L. (1999). Workplace bullying, International Review of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, 14, 195–230.Google Scholar
  28. Hogh, A. & Dofradotiir, A. (2001). Coping with bullying in the workplace, European Journal of Work & Organizational Psychology, 10(4), 485–495.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  29. Houshmand, M., O’Reilly, J., Robinson, S., & Wolff, A. (2012). Escaping bullying: The simultaneous impact of individual arid unit-level bullying on turnover intentions, Human Relations, 65(7), 901–903. doi: 0.1177/ 0018726712445100CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  30. Klein, A. & Martin, S. (2011). Two dilemmas in dealing with workplace bullies: False positives and deliberate deceit, International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 4(1), 13–32. doi: 10.1108/17538351111118572CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  31. Law, R., Dollard, M., Tuckey, M. R., & Dormann, C. (2011). Psychosocial safety climate as a lead indicator of workplace bullying and harassment, job resources, psychological health and employee engagement, Accident Analysis & Pretention, 1782–1793. doi: i.0.i.016/J.aap.201 1.04.010Google Scholar
  32. Lee, R. T. & Brotheridge, C. (2006). When prey turns predatory: Workplace bullying as a predictor of counteraggression/bullying, coping, and well-being, European Journal of Work & Organizational Psychology, 25(3), 352–377.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  33. Leymann, H. (1996). The content and development of mobbing at work, European, journal of Work & Organizational Psycholog1, 5(2), 165–185.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  34. Liefooghe, A. P. D. & MacKenzie Davey, K. (2001). Accounts of workplace bullying: The role of the organization., European Journal of Work h Organizational Psychology, 10(4), 375–392.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  35. I.uigen-Sandvik, P., Tracy, S.J,, & Alberts, J. K. (2007). Tîumed by bullying in the American workplace: Prevalence, perception, degree and impact, Journal of Management Studies, 44(6), S3 7–862.Google Scholar
  36. Matthiesen, S. & Einarsen, S. (2004). Psychiatric distress and symptoms of PTSD among victims of bullying at work, British journal of Guidance & Counselling, 32(3), 335–356.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  37. Matthiesen, S. & Einarsen, S. (2007,). Perpetrators and targets of bullying at work: Role stress and individual differences, Violence and Victims, 22(6), 735–753.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  38. Mikkelseii, E. G., Hogb, A., Si Puggaard, L. B. (2011). Prevention of bullying and conflicts at work: Process factors influencing the implementation and effects of interventions. International journal of Workplace Health Management, 4(1), 84–100.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  39. Namie, G. (2007). The challenge of workplace bullying. Employment Relations Today, 34(2), 43–51. doi: 10.1002/ert.20151CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  40. Noteiaers, G., De Witte, H., & Einarsen, S. (2009). A job characteristics approach to explain workplace bullying, European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 19(4), 487–504. doï: 10.1080/13594320903007620CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  41. O’Connelî,’ P. J., Calvert, E., & Watson, D. (2007). Bullying in the workplace: Survey Reports 2007. In T. E. a. S. R. Institute (ed.). Ireland: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.Google Scholar
  42. O’Driscoll, M. P., Cooper-Thomas, H. D., Bentley, T., Catley, B., Gardner, D. H., & Trenberth, I.. (2011). Workplace bullying in New Zealand: Work attitudes and performance, coping and organizational responses, Asia Pacipc journal of Human Resources, 49(4), 390–406.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  43. Oiafsson, R. & jôhannsdôttir, H. L. (2004). Coping with bullying in the workplace: The effect of gender, age and type of bullying, British journal of Guidance & Counselling, 32(3), 319–333.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  44. Parzefall, M.-R. & Salin, D. (2010). Perceptions of and reactions to workplace bullying: A social exchange perspective, Human Relations, 63(6), 761–780. doi: 10.11.77/0018726709345043CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  45. Resch, M. & Schub!rtski, M. (1996). Mobbing: Prevention arid management in organizations, European Journal of Work & Organizational Psychology, 5(2), 295–308.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  46. Royal Courts of justice (2006). Zakocs, R., & Zwerling, C. (‘20001. Administrative and behavioral interventions for workplace violence prevention, American journal of Preventive Medicine, 18, 116–127.Google Scholar
  47. Rutherford, A. & Rissel, C. (2004). A survey of workplace bullying in a health sector organisation, Australian Health Review, 28(1), 65–72.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  48. Saam, N.J. (2010). Interventions in workplace bullying: A multilevel approach, European journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 19(1), 51–75. doi: 10.1080/13594320802651403CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  49. Salin. D. (2003). Ways of explaining workplace bullying: A review of enabling, motivating and precipitating structures and processes in the work environ-ment, Human Relations. 56(10). 1213–1232.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  50. Salin, D. M. (2003). Ways of explaining workplace bullying: A review of enabling, motivating and precipitating structures and processes in the work environment, Human Relations, 56(10), 1213–1232.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  51. Salin, D. M. (2008). The prevention of workplace bullying as a question of human resource management: Measures adopted and underlying organizational factors, Scandinavian journal of Management, 24(3), 221–231.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  52. Salin, ü. M. (2009). Organisational responses to workplace harassment, Personnel Reiview. 38(1), 26–44.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  53. Snyder, L. A., Chen, P. Y., Grubb, P. L., Roberts, R. K., Sauter, S. L., Swanson, N. G., & Pamela, L. P. a. D. C. G. (2004). Workplace aggression and violence againsi individuals and organisations: Causes, consequences and interventions, Research in Occupational Stress and Well Being, 4, 1–65.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  54. Sperry, L. (2009). Mobbing and bullying: The influence of individual, work group, and organizational dynamics on abusive workplace behavior, Consulting Psycholog’ journal: Practice and Research, 61(3), 190–201.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  55. Totterdeli, P., Hershcovis, M. S., Niven, K., Reich, T. C., & Stride, C., (2012). Can employees be emotionally drained by witnessing unpleasant interactions between coworkers? A diary study of induced emotion regulation, Work and Stress, 26(2), 112–129.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  56. Tuckey, M. R., Dollard, M., llosking, P. J., & Wmefield, A. 11. (2009). Workplace bullying: The role of psychosocial work environment, factors, International journal of Stress Management, 76(3), 215–232. doi: 10.1037/a0016841Google Scholar
  57. Tuckey, M. R., Dollard, M., Saebel, J., & Berry, N. M. (2010). Negative workplace behaviour: Temporal associations with cardiovascular outcomes and psychological health problems in Australian Police, Stress and Health, 26, 372–381.Google Scholar
  58. Vartia, M. (1996). The sources of bullying — Psychological work environment and organisational climate, European journal of Work & Organizational Psycholog1, 5(2), 203–214.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  59. Vartia, M. & Leka, S. (2011). Interventions for the prevention and management of bullying at work: in S. Einarsen, H. Hoel, D. Zapf, & C. L. Cooper (eds) Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace: Developments in Theory, Research, and Practice (21”’1’ ed., pp. 359-380). Boca Raton, FL, USA: Taylor & Francis.Google Scholar
  60. Wallace, B., Johnson, L., & Trenberlh, L. (2011). Bullying the boss: The prevalence of upward bullying behaviours, Australian and Nevv Zealand journal of Organisational Psychology, 3(1), 66–71.Google Scholar
  61. Weick, K. E. (1951. Sense-Making in Organizations. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.Google Scholar
  62. White, P. (2008). Record of investigation into death: Case No: 3625/06. Melbourne, Australia: State Coroner, Victoria.Google Scholar
  63. Zapf, D. & Gross, C. (2001). Conflict escalation arid coping with workplace bullying: A replication and extension, European Journal of Work & Organizational Psycholog’, 10(4), 497–522.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

Copyright information

© Dianne Gardner, Michael P. O’Driscoll, Tim Bentley, Bevan Cathy, Helena D. Cooper-Thomas and Linda Trenberth 2013

Authors and Affiliations

  • Dianne Gardner
    • 1
  • Michael P. O’Driscoll
    • 2
  • Tim Bentley
    • 3
  • Bevan Catley
    • 4
  • Helena D. Cooper-Thomas
    • 6
  • Linda Trenberth
    • 5
  1. 1.Industrial/Organizational Psychology in the School of PsychologyMassey University in AucklandNew Zealand
  2. 2.University of WaikatoNew Zealand
  3. 3.New Zealand Work Research InstituteAUT UniversityNew Zealand
  4. 4.School of ManagementMassey UniversityNew Zealand
  5. 5.University of LondonUK
  6. 6.Postgraduate Studies in Industrial Work and Organizational PsychologyUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand

Personalised recommendations