Management strategies for the identification of downward bullying in the workplace

• Main Author: Vermeulen, Johanna Petronella
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: Bullying in the workplace; Bullying in schools; School manegement and organisation
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6585

M.Ed. === The staffroom which was once a retreat for a cup of tea, coffee, a breather and a catch-up of educational talk has become an empty room of silent voices that echo; a place characterised by unresolved grievances, unmanageable workloads, ignored opinions, feelings of being excluded, vital information that was withheld, excessive monitoring, repeated reminders of errors, hostile reaction on approach, persistent criticism, humiliation or ridiculing and impossible deadlines for completion of tasks. The voices of educators have become silent and complacent; actions are defined by what is expected and prescribed by the government. Bullying in the workplace has largely been regarded as insignificant. This complex and universal phenomenon, however, is firmly rooted in South African schools. Changes in an organisation as well as political influences have severe consequences on educators, as educators are more exposed to diversity, cultural differences, increased workloads, harassment, and humiliation, unmanageable workloads in order to meet targets, intimidation, hostility and degradation. Exposure to bullying in the staffroom and personal experiences as being a victim of bullying motivated this researcher to improve her qualifications and to conduct research in downward bullying. The research, based upon educator perceptions, attempts to investigate whether downward bullying is taking place, when it is taking place, as well as how often it is perceived to occur within primary schools in Gauteng. To facilitate this investigation, the following objectives were set; to investigate the nature of downward bullying, to probe the perceptions of educators as to the frequency of downward bullying and to devise strategies to enable educators to recognise and cope with downward bullying. Completing this research, a set of management strategies for the identification and reduction of downward bullying were suggested. Indistinguishable from compliance, control, governmentality and managerialism, downward bullying, if not addressed, is a concern for the education system in South Africa. The dynamics presented within this research will shed light on the "dark side" of legitimate power, exposing the gravitational nature of bullying as an escalating workplace phenomenon.