Lambs to Slaughter? Young People as the Prospective Target of Workplace Bullying in Higher Education

Abstract

While few studies examine the rights of younger workers (under 35), young people in the American workplace are one of the few groups that do not invoke United States Title VII federal protection. Other groups based on race, gender, age and disability can seek legal protections to prevent or subdue harassment if such incivility can be directly tied to these aforementioned statuses. The central research question of this analysis is: What is the impact of workplace bullying on young employees in American higher education. One hundred and seventy-five baccalaureate year colleges and universities were surveyed with the 35- questionnaire instrument inquiring about the occurrences, duration and type of workplace bullying in American higher education. A total of 401 (n=401) higher education respondents completed the survey. An analysis of the data set revealed that 71% of young respondents face workplace bullying in higher education, which is higher than the 62% rate for the general population of the study who report being affected by workplace bullying. Analysis of the findings and subsequent discussion is guided by Bolman and Deal’s human resource frame (2013).