Exploring Workplace Bullying in a Para-Military Organisation (PMO) in the UK: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Research into workplace bullying is taking various tums with most of the studies broadening understanding of the concept. Although much progress has been reported in research on the understanding of what is workplace bullying, its effects and how to deal with it. In this paper, exploratory semi-stmcttired interviews were conducted on twenty-five participants to create a better understanding of their experiences of workplace bullying in a para-military organisation in the UK. This method of data collection helped to understand how things happen and why it happened in the para-military organisation. The study revealed that workplace bullying is as a result of organisational change, organisational division into uniformed and non-uniformed staff, power relations, management style and witnessing bullying. The study also revealed that workplace bullying has a detrimental effect on the physical and mental health of the victim. While all the accounts discussed above were given by those who have experienced workplace bullying, the key informants within the organisation gave confiicting accotmt of what is going on in PMO. The findings revealed different views to bullying within the PMO. It may be concluded fi-om this study that bullying is part of the culture of this organisation, and that may be why it is perceived to be accepted as a norm and is continuing.