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Book part
Publication date: 30 November 2020

Nicole Cvenkel

The sawmill shootings in British Columbia, Canada, resulted in fatalities and grievous injuries to workers, which have put a sensational face on workplace violence in the forestry…

Abstract

The sawmill shootings in British Columbia, Canada, resulted in fatalities and grievous injuries to workers, which have put a sensational face on workplace violence in the forestry sector. Yet, for all of the attention devoted after this horrific incident, to the growth and possible consequences of workplace violence, little empirical investigation has been done regarding the extent to which this type of violence may have permeated the sawmill forestry workplace in Canada; employees' experiences of workplace violence; employees' definition of workplace violence; the specific type of violence that occurs in sawmills; and the drivers of workplace violence as experienced and perceived by managers, union, and employees in the forestry sector context in British Columbia, Canada.

This research critically explores these questions to better understand employees' experiences of workplace violence, the problems of violence and its implications for workplace stress, well-being, leadership, and corporate governance. This research contributes to the workplace violence body of knowledge as it relates to employment in the forestry sector in British Columbia, Canada.

A mixed methodological approach was adopted using 367 questionnaire survey, 20 telephone interviews, and 2 focus groups lasting 45–60 minutes (managers and employees) were used to focus on managers, union, and employees' accounts of their own experiences and perceptions of workplace violence.

The analysis of the data in this study lends support to the conclusion that workplace violence waged against workers in the forestry sector is significantly different than the violence being perpetrated in other sectors and work settings. The findings further suggest that forestry workers work environment, communities, and activity contributes meaningfully to the differences in workplace violence experienced by Sawmill employees.

Insights obtained from this research can be used to develop educational tools and resources, and new policies to foster workplace practices conducive to reducing drivers to workplace violence, towards a more respectful workplace and overall employee well-being.

Article
Publication date: 3 August 2023

Attia Aman-Ullah, Anis Ali, Antonio Ariza-Montes, Waqas Mehmood and Ummi Naiemah Saraih

The present study aims to test the impact of workplace incivility and violence on doctors' turnover intentions. Besides, the present study also tested the mediating role of…

Abstract

Purpose

The present study aims to test the impact of workplace incivility and violence on doctors' turnover intentions. Besides, the present study also tested the mediating role of employees' burnout.

Design/methodology/approach

The population of the present study was doctors working in 20 public sector hospitals. Where 250 doctors working in emergency departments participated, the sample size was calculated through Krejcie and Morgan's table. The data analysis was conducted through SPSS and Smart-PLS.

Findings

Results of the present study supported all the relationships except the relationship between workplace violence and turnover intentions. More specifically, relationship between workplace incivility and turnover intentions was confirmed, and mediation effect of doctors' burnout was also confirmed.

Originality/value

This present study is novel in a way that this study framed the study model using conservative resource theory and social cognitive theory covering both employees cognitive and external factors. Further, the nexus “workplace incivility → workplace violence → job burnout → turnover intentions” was tested for the first time, hence making a valuable addition to the body of literature. Further this study is a contribution to healthcare literature in context of incivility, violence, burnout, and turnover. Burnout is first time explored as moderator with workplace incivility which is another contribution.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 November 2012

Mohammad Ahmad Al‐Omari, Husna Johari and Ling Suan Choo

The objective of this study is to examine the factors that contribute to workplace violence in one of the higher education institutes that is based in Malaysia.

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Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this study is to examine the factors that contribute to workplace violence in one of the higher education institutes that is based in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper's approach is to use a survey, SPSS and multiple regression analysis.

Findings

The findings show that there is a positive significant relationship between the working environment and workplace violence, while the other factors, co‐worker relationship and management style, show no relationship with workplace violence.

Originality/value

The study will improve management understanding of which factors affect workplace violence. By increasing their knowledge on the above, this can assist the management to take preventive action to minimize workplace violence in the organization.

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2017

Myriam Vuckovic, Annette Altvater, Linda Helgesson Sekei and Kristina Kloss

The purpose of this paper is to explore the causes, forms, extent, and consequences of sexual harassment and sexual violence at public sector workplaces in Tanzania.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the causes, forms, extent, and consequences of sexual harassment and sexual violence at public sector workplaces in Tanzania.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 1,593 civil servants participated in the survey, which was conducted in the Mtwara Region of Tanzania. The quantitative data were complemented with the results from eight focus group discussions.

Findings

The study revealed that 21 percent of women and 12 percent of men had experienced sexual harassment personally. Overall, rural-based public servants had less knowledge of relevant policies, and experienced more sexual harassment than their urban colleagues. The majority of perpetrators were identified as men in senior positions; the majority of victims were recognized to be young female employees. Frequently reported behaviors included sexual bribery with regard to resource allocation, promotions, allowances, and other benefits.

Practical implications

Despite the existence of conducive legal and policy frameworks aimed at protecting employees from sexual harassment and violence, their implementation and effects were found to be limited. Only half of the study population was aware of the existing regulations. The study found that the majority of public servants who had knowledge on the issue had learned about sexual harassment in the context of an HIV/AIDS workplace program. This finding indicates that well-designed workplace interventions can play an important role in creating awareness, addressing gender stereotypes, and informing employees about their personal rights and responsibilities.

Originality/value

Sexual harassment and gender-based violence at the workplace has never been studied before in Tanzania. The study provides practical recommendations for future preventive interventions.

Book part
Publication date: 30 November 2020

Nicole Cvenkel

This chapter critically examines the dynamics that exists between workplace violence, employee well-being, and governance as experienced and perceived by employees in the Forestry…

Abstract

This chapter critically examines the dynamics that exists between workplace violence, employee well-being, and governance as experienced and perceived by employees in the Forestry context. The purpose of this research is to explore what signals the prevalence of workplace violence in the Forestry sector; to understand the consequences of workplace violence; to explore the degree to which workplace violence can be stopped; and how can employers strive for a violence “free” and healthy workplace. This chapter focuses on research into workplace violence in the Forestry sector in British Columbia, Canada.

A questionnaire survey, telephone interviews, and focus groups were used to focus on managers, union, and employees' verbal accounts of their own experiences and perceptions of workplace violence. Managers completed 367 questionnaire surveys. The union and employees from across five different organizations also completed the survey that was analyzed. Twenty semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with each interview lasting 60–75 minutes, tape-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Two focus groups were the one with 15 managers only and the other with 10 union representatives. Each focus group lasted 45–60 minutes, tape-recorded, and transcribed verbatim.

This research adopted an interpretivist approach, which allows a positivist and an interpretivist viewpoint that examines situations to establish the norm by using questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups. The mixed methodology is appropriate for addressing the research aims and provided insight into the lifeworld of participants, providing the opportunity for managers, union, and employees to share their personal experience of workplace violence. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) provided insight into the lifeworld of participants, providing the opportunity for employees, managers, and union representative to share their personal experience of workplace violence and its implications for governance, violence prevention, and employee well-being at work.

The data revealed that 13 key themes emerged as salient to forestry workers' perspective of workplace violence, the prevalence of violence, consequences of violence, prevention of violence, and how employers can strive toward a violent “free” and healthy workplace. These themes include Stress Management, Mental Health, Leadership Development, Trust, Employee Involvement and Engagement, Communication and Collaboration, Education and Training, Employee Violence Assistance Program, Violence Response Protocol, Respectful Workplace Culture, Job Redesign, Fear of Change, and Employee Appreciation. This research has relevance for employee well-being, leadership, governance, corporate social responsibility, and performance for practitioners and academics alike. The findings and insights from this research can be extrapolated to other organizations inBritish Columbia, Canada, and other parts of the world.

Details

CSR in an age of Isolationism
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80043-268-0

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 March 2023

Hakan Erkutlu, Jamel Chafra, Hatice Ucak and Rahsan Kolutek

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between emotional labor and workplace violence based on the social exchange theory. Drawing on the social exchange theory, this…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between emotional labor and workplace violence based on the social exchange theory. Drawing on the social exchange theory, this paper aims to investigate the relationship between emotional labor and workplace violence. Specifically, the authors take a relational approach by introducing positive patient treatment as the mediator. The moderating role of organizational support in the relationship between emotional labor and workplace violence is also considered.

Design/methodology/approach

The data of this study encompasses 536 nurses from 10 university hospitals in Turkey. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to test the proposed model.

Findings

The findings of this study support the negative effect of emotional labor on workplace violence and the mediating effect of patient-positive treatment. Moreover, when organizational support is low, the relationship between emotional labor and workplace violence is strong. In contrast, the effect is weak when organizational support is high.

Practical implications

The findings of this study suggest that health-care administrators should offer more training to nurses to help them manage their emotions while interacting with their patients. This leads to positive interpersonal relationships, which, in turn, lowers workplace violence. Moreover, health-care administrators should pay more attention to the buffering role of perceived organizational support for those subordinates with low emotional labor and higher workplace violence.

Originality/value

The study provides new insights into emotional labor’s influence on workplace violence and the moderating role of organizational support in the link between emotional labor and workplace violence. The paper also offers practical assistance to nurses in the health-care industry interested in building positive patient treatment and trust with their patients and minimizing workplace violence.

Details

Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-6599

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2018

Ahmed Abdelhalim Al-Shiyab and Raed Ismail Ababneh

The purpose of this paper is to examine the consequences of workplace violence against healthcare staff in Jordanian public hospitals.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the consequences of workplace violence against healthcare staff in Jordanian public hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

A convenient sample included 334 physicians and nurses employed in eight different public hospitals, different departments and different working shifts were surveyed by filling the designed questionnaire.

Findings

The findings indicated workplace violence had a clear moderate impact on the respondents’ interaction with patients, performing work responsibilities, ability of making decisions, and professional career. The most frequent workplace violence consequences were damaging staff’s personality and prestige, increasing laziness and unwillingness to serve patients. Workplace violence consequences also included aggressive behavior, fear while dealing with patients, increase job insecurity, and lack of professional responsibility. In addition, demographic variables such as gender, education, job title, working shift, and income showed statistical significant differences in the attitudes of participants toward the consequences of workplace violence.

Practical implications

This study highlighted the necessity of healthcare policy makers and hospital administrators to establish violence free and safe working environments in order to retain qualified healthcare staff that in turn improves the health services quality.

Originality/value

There is a lack of research and documentation on violence in the healthcare settings in developing countries. This study is one of the first to examine the consequences of workplace violence that affect public physicians and nurses.

Details

Employee Relations, vol. 40 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0142-5455

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 12 May 2020

Hjördís Sigursteinsdóttir, Guðbjörg Linda Rafnsdóttir and Thorgerður Einarsdóttir

The recent global economic crisis affected workplaces in many countries, raising questions about the employees' situation. While most work-related studies in times of crises focus…

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Abstract

Purpose

The recent global economic crisis affected workplaces in many countries, raising questions about the employees' situation. While most work-related studies in times of crises focus on job loss and unemployment, this study analyzes workplace violence in the wake of the 2008 economic crisis among municipal employees within care and education.

Design/methodology/approach

Mixed method approach was used for data collection; longitudinal online surveys and focus group interviews were used.

Findings

The prevalence of workplace violence increased between the three time points of the study, in particular in downsized workplaces. A higher proportion of employees working in care were exposed to threats and physical violence than employees in education as clients of employees in care services were more likely to lash out against employees due to cutbacks in services. Focus groups interviews indicated that the causes of increased workplace violence may be due to a spreading effect both from within and outside the workplace.

Practical implications

As workplace violence can have serious consequences for the health and well-being of employees, it is important for those who have responsibility for the work environment and occupational health in the workplace to design policies that take these findings into account.

Originality/value

Based on the mixed methods, longitudinal survey and focus group interviews, this study contributes to knowledge on workplace violence in times of economic crises. It shows that the prevalence of workplace violence increased not only directly after the economic collapse but also continued up to five years later.

Details

International Journal of Workplace Health Management, vol. 13 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8351

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 May 2022

Ahmad Shiyab, Raed Ismail Ababneh and Yaser Shyyab

Workplace violence against medical staff has become an endemic problem in the healthcare sector in Jordan. This study investigates the perceived main causes of workplace violence

Abstract

Purpose

Workplace violence against medical staff has become an endemic problem in the healthcare sector in Jordan. This study investigates the perceived main causes of workplace violence (medical staff, administrative, patients, patient's escorts and legislative) against physicians and nurses in public hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from a convenient random sample of 334 physicians and nurses employed in Jordanian public hospitals. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance were used to answer questions and test hypotheses.

Findings

Findings indicated that the practice of the causes of workplace violence behaviors assessed by the participants is at a moderate level in Jordanian public hospitals with a mean value of 3.26. The causes of violence were reported as most causative to least causative: patient escort (M = 3.60), legislative (M = 3.56), patients (M = 3.40), administrative (M = 3.16) and medical staff related (M = 2.74), respectively. Analysis showed statistical differences in the participants' attitudes toward the causes of workplace violence behaviors due to their gender, job title, education level, experience and income.

Practical implications

This study has a significant practical contribution in providing information about the causes of workplace violence that will help health policymakers and hospital administrators to deter violence against medical staff. To reduce or eliminate the potential causes of violence, several actions can be taken, such as criminalizing violent behaviors, managing work pressure, staff shortages, developing comfortable and secure medical treatment settings, training the medical staff on aggression and stress management, and enhancing their communication skills with patients and their escorts. Findings also highlight the need for hospital management to develop protocols for reporting and dealing with workplace violence.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies in the Arab context that examines the causes of workplace violence against medical staff.

Details

International Journal of Workplace Health Management, vol. 15 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8351

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1996

Pamela R. Johnson and Julie Indvik

Explores the issue of workplace violence and stress in the USA. Examines the kinds of violence employees must face in the workplace and also looks at different kinds of stressors…

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Abstract

Explores the issue of workplace violence and stress in the USA. Examines the kinds of violence employees must face in the workplace and also looks at different kinds of stressors such as environmental, e.g. family dysfunction, racial oppression and sexual harassment. Addresses the question of employer responsibility and briefly proposes the development of training programmes for managers.

Details

Employee Councelling Today, vol. 8 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-8217

Keywords

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