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Upwards Workplace Bullying: A Literature Review

Author

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  • Lorraine Busby
  • Linda Patrick
  • Alice Gaudine

Abstract

There is a large body of international literature on most aspects of workplace bullying, yet there are only a few research articles dealing with bullying of bosses, managers, and leaders by their subordinates and staff members. Over time the term “upwards bullying†has been accepted as the generic term to describe this phenomenon but using these search terms does not provide a comprehensive indication of relevant publications. This literature review identifies and collates English language research on upwards bullying to document its research status, its lack of visibility in the workplace, and to connect upwards bullying with related research on aggression against supervisors and managers. Included is research that specifically labels the phenomena as upwards or upward bullying, along with related terms of subordinate-initiated bullying, supervisor-targeted bullying, bottom-up bullying, bullying the manager, and bullying the boss. Nonacademic publications are not included, nor is research on related workplace misbehavior such as cyberbullying, legal action resulting from upwards bullying or whistle blowers, and extortion or blackmail. Areas for further exploration in the field are identified with indicators of how this type of workplace bullying differs from lateral and downward bullying. Coverage up to the year 2020 is provided with the expectation that the trend of working from home driven by safety considerations during the COVID-19 epidemic could change employee responses and reactions to their workplace leaders and management.

Suggested Citation

  • Lorraine Busby & Linda Patrick & Alice Gaudine, 2022. "Upwards Workplace Bullying: A Literature Review," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(1), pages 21582440221, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:12:y:2022:i:1:p:21582440221085008
    DOI: 10.1177/21582440221085008
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Catley, Bevan & Bentley, Tim & Forsyth, Darryl & Cooper-Thomas, Helena & Gardner, Dianne & O'Driscoll, Michael & Trenberth, Linda, 2013. "Managing workplace bullying in New Zealand: Perspectives from occupational health and safety practitioners," Journal of Management & Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 19(5), pages 598-612, September.
    2. Sartori, Giovanni, 1970. "Concept Misformation in Comparative Politics," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 64(4), pages 1033-1053, December.
    3. Leah P. Hollis, 2015. "Bully University? The Cost of Workplace Bullying and Employee Disengagement in American Higher Education," SAGE Open, , vol. 5(2), pages 21582440155, June.
    4. Diep T. N. Nguyen & Stephen T. T. Teo & Steven L. Grover & Nguyen P. Nguyen, 2019. "Respect, bullying, and public sector work outcomes in Vietnam," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(6), pages 863-889, June.
    5. Branch, Sara & Ramsay, Sheryl & Barker, Michelle, 2007. "Managers in the firing line: Contributing factors to workplace bullying by staff – an interview study," Journal of Management & Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 13(3), pages 264-281, September.
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