Bullying and harassment in the workplace

Abstract

This paper examines the results of a survey carried out on the subject of bullying and harassment in the workplace, with particular reference to the hospitality industry. Following a brief overview of the area, the paper examines a cross‐border study undertaken in 1998. The study included the analysis of cases from the Republic of Ireland and from Northern Ireland and also a comparative case study was undertaken to explore and compare the extent of bullying and harassment in the hospitality industry in the two regions. The results of the case analysis show that, in a majority of cases both North and South, women were the instigators of claims of harassment and an organisationally superior male employee was the alleged harasser. Nearly half of the claims initiated were eventually dismissed both North and South, while those claimants who were successful in their claims received low levels of compensation in comparison with their American counterparts. The hospitality case studies showed the primary focus of policy was on sectarian harassment in the North, while in the Republic of Ireland it was on sexual harassment. The case studies also identified the lack of training in the area and the need for more focused policies to deal with all forms of harassment.

Citation

McMahon, L. (2000), "Bullying and harassment in the workplace", International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, Vol. 12 No. 6, pp. 384-387. https://doi.org/10.1108/09596110010343666