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Human Resource Professionals’ Responses to Workplace Bullying

Author

Listed:
  • Kelly Rae

    (School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia)

  • Annabelle M. Neall

    (School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia)

Abstract

Workplace bullying manifests in significant costs to individuals and organisations. The obligation to resolve such cases largely falls on Human Resource Professionals (HRPs). Little is known, however, about the antecedents to HRPs’ helping behaviour in these scenarios. Using the attribution–emotion model of stigmatisation, this study explored how HRPs are influenced in their response to workplace bullying. Australian HRPs ( n = 84) were assigned to one of four experimental vignette scenarios, differing in target (approach/avoidance coping) and perpetrator (effort vs. non-effortful response) behaviour. The results revealed that targets who fail to act to resolve situations of bullying were regarded as more responsible and less likely to receive help, but HRPs were more sympathetic and inclined to help non-responsive perpetrators when the targets also avoided the situation. The findings indicate two key areas for training and development that could improve HRPs evaluations and management of workplace bullying.

Suggested Citation

  • Kelly Rae & Annabelle M. Neall, 2022. "Human Resource Professionals’ Responses to Workplace Bullying," Societies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:12:y:2022:i:6:p:190-:d:1004009
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hamid Kharatzadeh & Mousa Alavi & Abolfazl Mohammadi & Denis Visentin & Michelle Cleary, 2020. "Emotional regulation training for intensive and critical care nurses," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 22(2), pages 445-453, June.
    2. David Guest & Christopher Woodrow, 2012. "Exploring the Boundaries of Human Resource Managers’ Responsibilities," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 111(1), pages 109-119, November.
    3. Salin, Denise, 2008. "The prevention of workplace bullying as a question of human resource management: Measures adopted and underlying organizational factors," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 24(3), pages 221-231, September.
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