The perpetrators of workplace bullying in schools: A South African study

Abstract

This study investigates workplace bullying (WPB) in schools. A voluntary sample of 999 teachers completed the self-reporting questionnaire. Only 32 of the participants acknowledged that they bullied their colleagues. Statistics and content analysis were used to identify and characterise the bullies. An analysis the self-identified bullies' qualitative responses to an open-ended item reveal that bullies verbally, emotionally and physically abuse their colleagues. The findings indicate that bullies rationalise their negative behaviour. This study highlights the interplay between personal, organisational and societal factors as an explanation for WPB. It is concluded that WPB needs to be addressed on policy and institutional levels.