Workplace bullying within organizations.

Abstract

The title of this dissertation is “Workplace Bullying Within Organizations,” and theresearch problem was that perpetrators of bullying targeted their victims with harmful behaviors. The methodology was hermeneutic phenomenology which is both philosophical and a method for exploring experiences and meanings. It revealed the importance of linking constructs such as social movements, public awareness, prevalence of bullying and physical/psychological harm. The source of data was derived from four participants who were highly educated professionals, self-directed and assertive. They experienced significant bullying within their first year of employment. Phenomenology is dissimilar from other methodologies because its practitioners seek insights and understanding into human experiences. Researchers used methods from the social sciences to collect experiential material for reflection on experiences and meanings that are based on human science. Data collection/analysis was recorded, managed, organized, analyzed and cohered with phenomenology. The key themes in this study were the following: 1) Retaliation; 2) assertive/outspoken; 3) health-physical and mental; 4) leadership, HR, management, supervision, and 5) reflections/regrets. The recommendation for reducing or eliminating workplace bullying requires an effort to mobilize a social movement on behalf of the victims. The current efforts to protect victims has been well intended but ineffective. However, a social movement presents an opportunity to arouse public awareness of the victim’s devastating encounters with bullies that could inspire a social movement.