Workplace Bullying
Women’s Experiences of Workplace Bullying and Changes in Job Satisfaction and Engagement Macquarie University
Abstract
Work is central to our everyday wellbeing but sometimes the workplace can become problematic when people experience workplace bullying. The purpose of this research was to gain an understanding of workplace bullying from the perspective of women who have experienced it, and how it affects them personally, their work life and their job satisfaction. A questionnaire was administered to two participants, relating to their occupation and the experience of workplace bullying. Results found women experience psychological and physiological symptoms during the bullying, which in turn altered the job satisfaction and …show more content…
Has the bullying occurred outside of work? as in social media?
What outcome would you like to see?
Have you sought any professional help to deal with what you are experiencing?
What do you see as the likely outcome?
Summary of Interviews;
Interview with Mary* - Mary had been working as a senior stylist within a small salon for 4 years. A new stylist joined the team and they quickly become friends. After a couple of years the friendship changed and this started to affect the working relationship. As the bullying started out subtly by social avoidance and rumours, over the years had developed to harassment both at work and outside of work, bullying through social media and defamation of character both personally and professionally by gossip and rumours had become traumatising. While there was no physical harm, the psychological effects proved overwhelming. At work the perpetrator was taking clients, which affected Mary’s financial and job security. The personality type of the perpetrator was manipulative, which led to Mary’s co-workers taking sides, leaving Mary to feel vulnerable and socially isolated. Management were aware of the conflict, however due to the personality type of the bully, management felt vulnerable too as the perpetrator would often use threats to get her own way and from a business (profit) sense she was too valuable to lose. Her employer would say “just don’t let it get to you”. Mary had started to suffer panic and anxiety attacks, lost trust in people around her, became depressed and socially withdrawn. The bullying had also affected her family as they had to watch her suffer and felt helpless and were unable to act. After 3 years of repeated and constant harassment by her co-worker, Mary lost all motivation to go to work, lost passion for her occupation and felt the only option was to leave. This impacted negatively on her family’s financial security and placed more pressure on her to find
Abstract
Work is central to our everyday wellbeing but sometimes the workplace can become problematic when people experience workplace bullying. The purpose of this research was to gain an understanding of workplace bullying from the perspective of women who have experienced it, and how it affects them personally, their work life and their job satisfaction. A questionnaire was administered to two participants, relating to their occupation and the experience of workplace bullying. Results found women experience psychological and physiological symptoms during the bullying, which in turn altered the job satisfaction and …show more content…
Has the bullying occurred outside of work? as in social media?
What outcome would you like to see?
Have you sought any professional help to deal with what you are experiencing?
What do you see as the likely outcome?
Summary of Interviews;
Interview with Mary* - Mary had been working as a senior stylist within a small salon for 4 years. A new stylist joined the team and they quickly become friends. After a couple of years the friendship changed and this started to affect the working relationship. As the bullying started out subtly by social avoidance and rumours, over the years had developed to harassment both at work and outside of work, bullying through social media and defamation of character both personally and professionally by gossip and rumours had become traumatising. While there was no physical harm, the psychological effects proved overwhelming. At work the perpetrator was taking clients, which affected Mary’s financial and job security. The personality type of the perpetrator was manipulative, which led to Mary’s co-workers taking sides, leaving Mary to feel vulnerable and socially isolated. Management were aware of the conflict, however due to the personality type of the bully, management felt vulnerable too as the perpetrator would often use threats to get her own way and from a business (profit) sense she was too valuable to lose. Her employer would say “just don’t let it get to you”. Mary had started to suffer panic and anxiety attacks, lost trust in people around her, became depressed and socially withdrawn. The bullying had also affected her family as they had to watch her suffer and felt helpless and were unable to act. After 3 years of repeated and constant harassment by her co-worker, Mary lost all motivation to go to work, lost passion for her occupation and felt the only option was to leave. This impacted negatively on her family’s financial security and placed more pressure on her to find