Victimisation from bullying and harassment in the workplace: Causes, consequences and problem management

The aim of this project is to establish a team devoted to research on the prevention and management of bullying, harassment and social exclusion at work. The project extends pioneer research at the University of Bergen on the nature, causes and consequenc es of bullying at work. Some 5-10% of the working populations in Europe are at anyone time exposed to bullying at work. Exposure to bullying is an extreme type of social stress and a crippling and devastating problem for employees. Bullying also severely impairs organisational efficiency through effects on absenteeism, climate, turnover, productivity and the well-being of employees. The causes of workplace bullying and harassment are however poorly understood. Complex processes between personal factors a nd organisational factors such as leadership and organisational changes seem to facilitate the occurrence of bullying at work. Empirical investigations on the issues of prevention, intervention and treatment and rehabilitation of victims do not yet exist. The main objective of the project is therefore to investigate causes and risk factors in order to establish procedures for the prevention and constructive management of this problem. A unique international database on bullying will be established. Theore tical models explaining the detrimental effects of bullying will be developed in order to improve the treatment and rehabilitation of targets. Leading international academics will work collaborative with the research group in Bergen, addressing these issu es by means of empirical investigations, theoretical, conceptual, as well as practical developments in terms of prevention, intervention and treatment. The project will establish the University of Bergen as a leading international institution in this fiel d, and it will contribute to the development of ethical organisations with working environments that foster participation, dignity and diversity at work as well as fair treatment and opportunities for all employees.