Bool, Annette
Is the increase in harassment complaints inherent to New Public Management?
- 2014.
95
In this paper, the author aims to describe the psychosocial issues related to harassment. In her work, she often encounters staff members whose suffering has reached such a point that—in their view—a complaint is the only means of putting an end to the situation. However, harassment situations are frequently underpinned by a conflict or “hyperconflict,” which may end up affecting an entire team. “Alienating” communication may then begin to occur. This study considers the consequences of harassment, whether on the emotional health of individuals or more generally on the deterioration of the work atmosphere. A review of these consequences also enables a number of potential solutions to harassment situations to be sketched out.