Understanding workplace bullying among staff in higher education

Abstract

he purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover how staff members in a division of student affairs define workplace bullying, whether or not they have experienced workplace bullying, and finally whether or not they have witnessed workplace bullying in higher education. Participants were invited to complete an open-ended online survey where they could define workplace bullying and share their personal experiences with bullying or witnessing bullying in the workplace. The study explored the lived experiences of student affairs professionals with personal and bystander experiences of bullying in the higher education workplace. Social identity theory relating to in-group and out-group formation in the workplace was used to understand the experiences of participants. Data analysis provided details of participants definition of bullying in higher education in addition to their own personal and witnessed experiences. Participants defined, experienced, and witnessed bullying in the workplace the same as faculty and professionals outside of higher education. Participants experiences were similar to faculty and non-higher education professionals in all areas except for the reporting of bullying. Unlike faculty and non-higher education employees, student affairs staff members are more likely to report bullying experiences. Using the results and conclusions, several levels of employee training were recommended to be implemented in higher education to help prevent future bullying experiences of staff members.