Perceptions of bullying in the workplace: A phenomenological study

Abstract

This qualitative phenomenological study explored and identified patterns and types of workplace bullying through the witnesses’ perception. The lack of relevant organizational policies and controls makes it difficult for employees in the United States to report workplace bullying for fear of ridicule, being viewed as weak, or being terminated. There is a need for a richer and more detailed understanding of bullied leaders and employees as they witness the experience of workplace bullying. This study explored and identified actions that were perceived as bullying; explored the impacts, perspectives, and experiences of the witnesses; and developed a model that may assist organizations in mitigating bullying. This study examined 24 organizational leaders and employees from various organizations primarily living in Charlottesville, Virginia area. The results revealed the perception that the responsibility lies not only with the bully, victim, or witness, but with the entire organization. In addition the study exposed that bullying was prevalent within the workplaces and included actions of job intimidation and verbal abuse, which included, yelling, screaming, cursing, and name calling, as well as causing employees to feel stressed, uncomfortable, overwhelmed and not want to work in this type of environment. All of the participants acknowledged that they had witnessed bullying by a supervisor or manager and the most bullying action was job intimidation, the threat of losing a job. A model based on the findings was developed to help transform the organizational culture where the total organization is involved in mitigating bullying in the workplace. The outcomes of this study provide an opportunity for an organization to take a realistic stance against bullying in the workplace.