Third-party interventions in workplace bullying: a neoliberal agenda?

Abstract

Purpose

Bullying is a persistent, damaging feature of neoliberal workplaces, despite the increased use of third-party interventions (TPIs). The purpose of this paper is to investigate how TPIs relate to individualisation of the employment contract, whether TPIs deflect attention away from bullying and the impact for targets.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered from focus groups and interviews with members and officials of three large UK trade unions.

Findings

TPIs individualise bullying allegations and such interventions are further characterised by impotence, injustice and lack of impartiality, serving to deflect bullying claims and exacerbate targets’ suffering.

Practical implications

Recommendations are made to improve the efficacy of interventions.

Originality/value

This paper increases the limited research into the efficacy of TPIs and makes a significant contribution to debates on neoliberal individualism.

Citation

Mawdsley, H. and Thirlwall, A. (2019), "Third-party interventions in workplace bullying: a neoliberal agenda?", Employee Relations, Vol. 41 No. 3, pp. 506-519. https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-09-2017-0216