Workplace bullying

From a corporate social responsibility (CSR) perspective, organizations have a social responsibility to employees and society, which is enacted through internal CSR initiatives that enhance employee wellbeing and protect employee rights, as well as external initiatives that develop and maintain legitimacy with and approval from external stakeholders. CSR is seen as a value-enhancing approach with sources of value including improved employee performance, customer loyalty, improved media image, increased market share and enhanced corporate reputation. Bullying at work is an antithesis to this perspective, as it attacks an individual’s right to be treated with dignity and respect at work, impacts negatively on employee wellbeing and can damage an organization’s reputation with external stakeholders. Bullying violates ethical principles of concern for consequences of least harm, moral rights at work, just rewards for efforts, caring for others and knowing good from bad. This entry discusses the current debates within workplace bullying research focusing on what bullying is, the seriousness of bullying at work, the antecedents of bullying, and approaches to intervention.