Workplace bullying: Incidence and impacts

There is little research aimed at understanding how experiences of workplace bullying translate into negative reactions for witnesses and perpetrators as well as the victims. This research reports the results of an organisation wide survey on bullying behaviour that identified the nature, level and extent of bullying behaviours. The survey gathered data from 233 fire services employees regarding the nature of, and reactions to, bullying incidents, relevant to their status as targets, witnesses and bullies. Significant differences in reports of bullying between victims and witnesses and differences in behavioural responses to bullying between victims and witnesses were found. The findings provide some guidance in how to effectively respond to reported bullying and differing responses from victims and witnesses.