Michael James Sheehan

Workplace bullying: responding with some emotional intelligence

This article outlines some of the signs indicating bullying in the workplace as a problem within contemporary organisations. Moreover, using evidence from recent Australian Court cases, the article mentions some of the costs organisations may be faced with if they fail to address the problem. Having identified the problem, the article then suggests some solutions including legislative change and development of more co‐operative workplaces. Such workplaces would deal with the problem in a problem solving, rather than punitive, framework. Development of people’s emotional intelligence skills is suggested as one way to help address the problem within such a framework.

Theoretical approaches to the study of bullying at work

This article provides a brief overview and commentary on theoretical approaches discussed in the articles by Einarsen, Liefooghe and Olafsson, and Rayner in the theoretical section of this special issue. In highlighting the difficulty in defining bullying, this article suggests that definitional boundaries ought to be all encompassing and open for discussion as a way of further developing the debate about workplace bullying. A discussion of methodological approaches, including those used by the authors in the theoretical section then follows. The article suggests that a collaborative approach between employers and researchers would help further address the problem of workplace bullying.

Measuring the Extent of Impact from Occupational Violence and Bullying on Traumatised Workers

Across the industrialised world, there is evidence that both the incidence and the severity of occupational violence and bullying are increasingly being reported over time. While there have been few substantive scientific studies in Australia, all the available evidence shows a similar increasing level of risk. It has long been assumed that those who suffer a physical assault during the course of violent events are more likely to be emotionally traumatised by the experience than are those who are merely threatened or bullied at work. However, there are no substantive data published to date. In this paper the authors aim to elucidate and quantify the extent of emotional injury/stress suffered as a result of different forms of occupational violence, based on empirical data collected during face-to-face interviewing of 800 Australian workers employed in the tertiary education, health and long-haul transport industry sectors. The authors conclude that the impact from more covert forms of occupational violence (such as bullying) can, in many instances, at least equal the emotional trauma following assaults on-the-job.

Applying strategies for dealing with workplace bullying

This article provides a brief overview of some of the applied approaches being taken in four countries to deal with workplace bullying and serves as a preamble to the articles by Archer, Crawford, Lewis, Sheehan and Zapf in this section. The work undertaken by the Beyond Bullying Association in Australia and that of the Anti Bullying Centre in Dublin is discussed. Swedish legislation that addresses bullying and the ways that employers, unions, university researchers and voluntary sector organisations attempt to deal with bullying in the UK follows. The article concludes by mentioning the likely legal and economic implications for organisations and society.

Using Kolb: implementation and evaluation of facilitation skills

Describes a case study in which the Kolb learning model was used in the implementation and evaluation of a facilitation skills training programme associated with organizational change. Demonstrates the usefulness of experimental learning theory and Kolb′s learning model to facilitator and participants in process evaluation. Achieves evaluation without complex descriptions of learning theory and psychometric instruments; simply relies on the model to guide participants through the learning cycle. Suggests the approach may be used to encourage participants to recognize their learning preferences and understand the importance of exploring the full range of learning activities. To main links between theory and application of facilitation skills, participants kept a journal of their activities and learnings. Describes how journalized comments were plotted on to sectors in the model which described learning outcomes to serves as preliminary feedback of participants′ learning experiences and the programme.

Learning as the construction of a new reality

Within a concept of life‐long learning, the study here reported is framed within the context of the expanding use of education and training in achieving organisational change. The focus of the research study was on one particular organisational education and training intervention and on how individuals experienced the learning and implementing of part of that intervention, namely group process facilitation. Such experiences may best be understood from the perspective of the learners themselves. There were four important factors reported that impinged on the learning process for the participants and that helped them construct new realities: the novelty of the learning environment; the value of flexibility; the value of openness; and the educational value of difference.

An innovative model for analysing qualitative data

This paper describes how Denzins model of interpretive interactionism was used and extended during the analytical phase of a research study. In working through the analytical phase of the research, it was discovered that the chosen methodology of interpretive interactionism did not always provide a clear guideline as to how to follow a logical and coherent process to achieve analytical intentions. Thus, there was seen to be a need to extend and deepen Denzins model, and the extended, innovative model is presented here. The paper also locates the research study in the context of an organisational change programme focusing on the learning and implementing of group process facilitation skills.

Organisational Restructuring: Considerations for Workplace Rehabilitation Professionals

Organisational restructuring is a pervasive strategy employed by organisations in Australia in response to changes in market competition and/or policy directives. Such restructuring often involves staff redundancies and increased demands on the remaining employees. This paper identifies important issues for workplace rehabilitation programs in response to this phenomenon of organisational restructuring. The paper notes the impact of organisational restructuring on clients in workplace rehabilitation programs and the types of issues rehabilitation professionals are likely to face at this time. A particular focus is the aspect of managerial behaviour during the process of change and the paper reports from a range of studies on employee well-being, managerial bullying and coercion in the context of organisational restructuring. Considerations for the rehabilitation professional include the need to understand communication issues, identify those at risk, and maintain the natural supports during the change program. Suggestions are given for convenors of workplace rehabilitation programs to actively collaborate with the human resource function of the organisation and disability management is outlined as a useful example of such strategies.