Leaders as the targets of workplace bullying - prevalence and outcomes
- Marcela Peterson
- Mar 3
- 2 min read
Harassment in the workplace is widely recognized as a harmful practice, but the vulnerability of leaders to this type of behavior remains underexplored. A recent study published in the International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health (Nielsen et al., 2024) aimed to investigate the prevalence of harassment among leaders and examine how the formal leadership position influences the relationship between exposure to harassment and its outcomes, such as job satisfaction and symptoms of depression.
Keywords: Leadership, Mental health, Job satisfaction, Psychosocial risks
The Study
Data from two samples of Norwegian workers were analyzed: one consisting of 678 child welfare social workers and another of 1,608 employees from different sectors, followed over six months. The study used questionnaires to measure exposure to harassment behaviors, perception of power imbalance, job satisfaction, and symptoms of depression, so that psychosocial risks could be diagnosed and managed.
Main Findings
The results indicated that holding a formal leadership position does not increase the initial risk of experiencing harassment. However, longitudinal data showed that leaders reported a slight increase in the frequency of exposure to harassment over time compared to non-leaders. Despite this, the observed difference was small, suggesting limited practical significance.
Another relevant finding was that the relationship between exposure to harassment and outcomes like job satisfaction and depression was similar for both leaders and non-leaders. This reinforces the idea that leaders are affected by harassment in a comparable way to other employees.
Practical Implications
This study highlights the need to consider leaders as a vulnerable group to workplace harassment. Prevention and intervention programs should include specific strategies to support leaders, promoting a healthy and safe organizational environment for all.
Reference
Nielsen, M. B., Evensen, M. C., Parveen, S., & Finne, L. B. (2024). Leaders as the targets of workplace bullying - prevalence and outcomes. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 97(557-567). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-024-02066-y
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