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Workplace bullying and the employment relationship

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  • David Beale
  • Helge Hoel

Abstract

Previous research strongly indicates that the perpetrators of workplace bullying in Britain are mainly managers. Contrary to the predominant view in workplace bullying literature and despite cost implications for employers, this article proposes an agenda for future empirical research focused on whether employers may also benefit significantly from bullying. It outlines a definition of workplace bullying, key debates and prescriptions suggested in previously published literature for management to contest and prevent it. When bullying is perceived in terms of managerial control of labour and the core concepts of the labour process – an approach not previously embraced in the established psychological and social psychological analyses of the issue – bullying is better understood as an endemic feature of the capitalist employment relationship. Existing secondary material and future research possibilities are then explored and discussed, with some conclusions that are aimed to take the research in this field in new directions.

Suggested Citation

  • David Beale & Helge Hoel, 2011. "Workplace bullying and the employment relationship," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 25(1), pages 5-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:25:y:2011:i:1:p:5-18
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017010389228
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Helge Hoel & David Beale, 2006. "Workplace Bullying, Psychological Perspectives and Industrial Relations: Towards a Contextualized and Interdisciplinary Approach," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 44(2), pages 239-262, June.
    2. Richard Hyman, 1997. "The Future of Employee Representation," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 35(3), pages 309-336, September.
    3. Wolfgang Streeck, 1987. "The Uncertainties of Management in the Management of Uncertainty," International Journal of Political Economy, M.E. Sharpe, Inc., vol. 17(3), pages 57-87, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Premilla D'Cruz & Ernesto Noronha, 2014. "Workplace bullying in the context of organisational change: the significance of pluralism," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(1), pages 2-21, January.
    2. Orly Benjamin & Sarit Nisim & Galit Segev, 2015. "Corporate Social Responsibility as Shaped by Managers’ Role Dissonance: Cleaning Services Procurement in Israel," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 130(1), pages 209-221, August.
    3. Geoff Plimmer & Sarah Proctor-Thomson & Noelle Donnelly & Dalice Sim, 2017. "The mistreatment of public service workers: identifying key risk and protective factors," Public Money & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(5), pages 333-340, July.

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