Managers involved in nearly half of cases of workplace bullying

Problem more frequent in public sector

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Participation of management personnel in harassment and bullying at workplaces is fairly common. Studies indicate that managers are involved in nearly half of all cases of workplace bullying
      On Tuesday Helsingin Sanomat reported on a case in the Uusimaa Tax Office in which managers are suspected of tormenting a subordinate, forcing the victim into early retirement. The matter is now under criminal investigation.
     
There is no indication of whether or not managers are more prone to bully subordinates in the public, or private sectors. However, workplace bullying in general is a more frequent problem in municipal and state workplaces than in the corporate world.
      "In the public sector nearly half have witnessed psychological violence or bullying at the workplace at least occasionally", says Olavi Parvikko of the occupational health section of the Ministry for Social Affairs and Health.
      In private companies the amount is much smaller, and similar observations have been made by regional occupational health authorities.
     
Various explanations have been offered for the frequency of the problem in state and municipal work places. Olavi Parvikko says that competition for incentive pay or fixed-term jobs can be intense.
      Kirsi Häkkinen of the Uusimaa Occupational Health District says that one possible reason is that the concept of management in public administration is somewhat tenuous. "Political decision making is behind everything, and managers are not able to influence the availability of resources."
      Occupational health authorities say that employees suffering from workplace bullying should first urge the perpetrator to stop. If this does not work, he or she should contact a manager.
      "If the manager is the bully, things get more complicated", Parvikko says.
      Often the situation gets out of hand. If work place bullying leads to consideration of prosecution, a manager is usually involved.
      "Sometimes it happens that managers do not recognise improper behaviour, and instead, see it as normal management practice", Häkkinen says.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  High tax officials face charges of workplace bullying (17.5.2005)

Helsingin Sanomat