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Managing workplace bullying in New Zealand: Perspectives from occupational health and safety practitioners

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2014

Bevan Catley ,
Tim Bentley ,
Darryl Forsyth ,
Helena Cooper-Thomas ,
Dianne Gardner ,
Michael O'Driscoll  and
Linda Trenberth
Bevan Catley*
Affiliation:
Healthy Work Group, School of Management, Massey University (Albany), New Zealand
Tim Bentley
Affiliation:
New Zealand Work Research Institute, Faculty of Business and Law, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Darryl Forsyth
Affiliation:
Healthy Work Group, School of Management, Massey University (Albany), New Zealand
Helena Cooper-Thomas
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
Dianne Gardner
Affiliation:
Healthy Work Group, School of Psychology, Massey University (Albany), New Zealand
Michael O'Driscoll
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, The University of Waikato, New Zealand
Linda Trenberth
Affiliation:
Griffith Business School, Griffith University, Australia
*
Corresponding author: [email protected]
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Abstract

Research into workplace bullying has only recently begun to investigate preventative measures. This paper continues that emphasis by examining the management of bullying in a sample of New Zealand organisations. In this study, the survey results from 252 occupational health and safety practitioners were analysed to examine how bullying is understood and managed, along with factors that predict preventative efforts. Results indicate that bullying was perceived to impact significantly on organisations, although the organisations had limited preventative measures in place. The findings confirm the importance of leadership and the establishment of an effective bully-free environment as preventative measures.

Keywords

occupational health and safetywork organisationworkplace relationsworkplace bullying
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Management & Organization , Volume 19 , Issue 5 , September 2013 , pp. 598 - 612
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management 2013 

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