Book to Combat Workplace Bullies, 2004,
Source:
Safeguarding
the Organization Against Violence and Bullying: International Perspective, Paul
McCarthy & Claire Mayhew, 2004
Workplace bullying and violence are on the rise, Management Lecturer Paul McCarthy and Business School Visiting Fellow Dr Claire Mayhew report.
Mr McCarthy said it was estimated one in four employees was likely to encounter repeated bullying at some time in their working lives and each year six per cent would encounter physical violence.
“Occupational violence and bullying can be anything from homicide, assaults, threats and verbal abuse to less overt bullying such as denigration, social exclusion and unreasonable work practices,” he said.
To combat the increase in workplace bullying and violence Mr McCarthy and Dr Mayhew have published a book titled Safeguarding Organisations from Bullying and Violence.
The book examines why bullying and violence was happening and presents possible strategies for dealing with issues in the workplace.
“We found that global market pressures have prompted ongoing restructuring, downsizing, outsourcing and performance management in workplaces often lowering thresholds at which employees, clients and other stakeholders can resort to bullying, rage and violence,” Mr McCarthy said.
“Very little scientific research has been conducted in this area due to the contentious nature of the topic, difficulty in gaining workplace entry, and the fact that very few official databases reflect the true figures of workplace bullying and violence.
“At best, only 10 per cent or less of incidents may be formally reported making it difficult to analyse, find the possible cause, and then implement strategies.”
Mr McCarthy said he and Dr Mayhew aimed to bring together existing evidence-based research and estimate the costs to organisations and the community at large. He said estimates could be made by examining the overlaps between aggression in the broader community and the possible spill over into work places.
“We hope this research will bring the facts of workplace violence and bullying to the attention of governments, organisations, business leaders and educators,” he said.
Mr McCarthy and Dr Mayhew have also proposed to the United Nations that an action program be established for an international protocol to address bullying and violence at work.