Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 3/2021

01-04-2021 | Original Article

Labour market affiliation among non-bullied colleagues at work units with reported bullying

Authors: Åse Marie Hansen, Matias Brødsgaard Grynderup, Thomas Clausen, Jens Peter Bonde, Anne Helene Garde, Linda Kaerlev, Henrik A. Kolstad, Annie Hogh

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 3/2021

Login to get access

Abstract

Aim

This study investigates if non-bullied employees in Work units (WUs) where bullying occur, are more prone to leave the WUs than employees in WUs with no bullying, and if the prevalence of workplace bullying had an impact on leaving the WUs. Leaving the workplace was defined by unemployment or change of workplace at follow-up.

Methods

We had data from 8326 Danish public health invited employees from 302 WUs. Of these 3036 responded to a questionnaire on working conditions and health in 2007. WUs were classified into three categories of WUs: (1) no bullying (0% bullied), (2) moderate prevalence of bullying (< 10% bullied), and (3) high prevalence of bullying (≥ 10% bullied). Bullied respondents were used to classify the WUs and excluded in the analyses.

Results

We found odds ratios (ORs) for unemployment 1 year later of 1.27 [95% CI 0.69–2.37] in WUs with moderate prevalence of bullying and 1.38 [95% CI 0.85–2.23] among employed in WUs with high prevalence of bullying, adjusted for size of WUs, age, sex, and job category. For turnover 1 year later the ORs were 1.27 [95% CI 0.78–2.15] and 1.46 [95% CI 0.99–2.15] in WUs with moderate and high prevalence of bullying, respectively.

Conclusion

We did not find that non-bullied employees leave the WUs with moderate and high prevalence of bullying more than employees in WUs with no bullying behaviour 1 year later. Leaving the workplace tended to be higher among employees in WUs with high prevalence of bullying compared to no and moderate bullying.
Literature
go back to reference Aquino K, Thau S (2009) Workplace victimization: aggression from the target’s perspective. Annu Rev Psychol 60:717–741 Aquino K, Thau S (2009) Workplace victimization: aggression from the target’s perspective. Annu Rev Psychol 60:717–741
go back to reference Ariza-Montez A, Leal-Rodriguez AL, Leal-Millan AG (2015) A comparative study of workplace bullying among public and private employees in Europe. J Occup Environ Med 57:695–700 Ariza-Montez A, Leal-Rodriguez AL, Leal-Millan AG (2015) A comparative study of workplace bullying among public and private employees in Europe. J Occup Environ Med 57:695–700
go back to reference Baillien E, De Witte H (2009) The relationship between the occurrence of conflicts in the work unit, the conflict management styles in the work unit and workplace bullying. Psychologica Belgica 49(4):207 Baillien E, De Witte H (2009) The relationship between the occurrence of conflicts in the work unit, the conflict management styles in the work unit and workplace bullying. Psychologica Belgica 49(4):207
go back to reference Baillien E, Neyens I, De Witte H (2008) Organizational, team related and job related risk factors for workplace bullying, violence and sexual harassment in the workplace: a qualitative study. Int J Org Behav 13(2):132–146 Baillien E, Neyens I, De Witte H (2008) Organizational, team related and job related risk factors for workplace bullying, violence and sexual harassment in the workplace: a qualitative study. Int J Org Behav 13(2):132–146
go back to reference Balducci C, Fraccaroli F, Schaufeli WB (2011) Workplace bullying and its relation with work characteristics, personality, and post-traumatic stress symptoms: an integrated model. Anxiety Stress Coping 24(5):499–513 Balducci C, Fraccaroli F, Schaufeli WB (2011) Workplace bullying and its relation with work characteristics, personality, and post-traumatic stress symptoms: an integrated model. Anxiety Stress Coping 24(5):499–513
go back to reference Berthelsen M, Skogstad A, Lau B, Einarsen S (2011) Do they stay or do they go? A longitudinal study of intentions to leave and exclusion from working life among targets of workplace bullying. Int J Manpower 32(2):178–193 Berthelsen M, Skogstad A, Lau B, Einarsen S (2011) Do they stay or do they go? A longitudinal study of intentions to leave and exclusion from working life among targets of workplace bullying. Int J Manpower 32(2):178–193
go back to reference Branch S, Ramsay S, Barker M (2013) Workplace bullying, mobbing and general harassment: A review. Int J Manage Rev 15(3):280–299 Branch S, Ramsay S, Barker M (2013) Workplace bullying, mobbing and general harassment: A review. Int J Manage Rev 15(3):280–299
go back to reference Chu CH, Wodchis WP, McGilton KS (2014) Turnover of regulated nurses in long-term care facilities. J Nurs Manag 22(5):553–562 Chu CH, Wodchis WP, McGilton KS (2014) Turnover of regulated nurses in long-term care facilities. J Nurs Manag 22(5):553–562
go back to reference Clausen T, Hogh A, Borg V (2012) Acts of offensive behaviour and risk of long-term sickness absence in the Danish elder-care services: a prospective analysis of register-based outcomes. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 85(4):381–387 Clausen T, Hogh A, Borg V (2012) Acts of offensive behaviour and risk of long-term sickness absence in the Danish elder-care services: a prospective analysis of register-based outcomes. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 85(4):381–387
go back to reference Clausen T, Hogh A, Carneiro IG, Borg V (2013) Does psychological well-being mediate the association between experiences of acts of offensive behaviour and turnover among care workers? A longitudinal analysis. J Adv Nurs 69(6):1301–1313 Clausen T, Hogh A, Carneiro IG, Borg V (2013) Does psychological well-being mediate the association between experiences of acts of offensive behaviour and turnover among care workers? A longitudinal analysis. J Adv Nurs 69(6):1301–1313
go back to reference Clausen T et al (2019) Does leadership support buffer the effect of workplace bullying on the risk of disability pensioning? An analysis of register-based outcomes using pooled survey data from 24,538 employees. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 97:1–8 Clausen T et al (2019) Does leadership support buffer the effect of workplace bullying on the risk of disability pensioning? An analysis of register-based outcomes using pooled survey data from 24,538 employees. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 97:1–8
go back to reference Dellve L, Lagerström M, Hagberg M (2003) Work-system risk factors for permanent work disability among home-care workers: a case-control study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 76(3):216–224 Dellve L, Lagerström M, Hagberg M (2003) Work-system risk factors for permanent work disability among home-care workers: a case-control study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 76(3):216–224
go back to reference Djurkovic N, McCormack D, Casimir G (2008) Workplace bullying and intention to leave: the moderating effect of perceived organisational support. Hum Resour Manage J 18(4):405–422 Djurkovic N, McCormack D, Casimir G (2008) Workplace bullying and intention to leave: the moderating effect of perceived organisational support. Hum Resour Manage J 18(4):405–422
go back to reference Dollard MF, Dormann C, Tuckey MR, Escartín J (2017) Psychosocial safety climate (PSC) and enacted PSC for workplace bullying and psychological health problem reduction. Eur J Work Org Psychol 26(6):844–857 Dollard MF, Dormann C, Tuckey MR, Escartín J (2017) Psychosocial safety climate (PSC) and enacted PSC for workplace bullying and psychological health problem reduction. Eur J Work Org Psychol 26(6):844–857
go back to reference Einarsen S (2000) Harassment and bullying at work: a review of the Scandinavian approach. Aggress Violent Behav 5(4):379–401 Einarsen S (2000) Harassment and bullying at work: a review of the Scandinavian approach. Aggress Violent Behav 5(4):379–401
go back to reference Einarsen S, Raknes BI (1997) Harassment in the workplace and the victimization of men. Viol Victims 12(3):247–263 Einarsen S, Raknes BI (1997) Harassment in the workplace and the victimization of men. Viol Victims 12(3):247–263
go back to reference Glambek M, Matthiesen SB, Hetland J, Einarsen S (2014) Workplace bullying as an antecedent to job insecurity and intention to leave: a 6-month prospective study. Hum Resour Manage J 24(3):255–268 Glambek M, Matthiesen SB, Hetland J, Einarsen S (2014) Workplace bullying as an antecedent to job insecurity and intention to leave: a 6-month prospective study. Hum Resour Manage J 24(3):255–268
go back to reference Grynderup MB et al (2017) The associations between workplace bullying, salivary cortisol, and long-term sickness absence: a longitudinal study. BMC Publ Health 17(1):710 Grynderup MB et al (2017) The associations between workplace bullying, salivary cortisol, and long-term sickness absence: a longitudinal study. BMC Publ Health 17(1):710
go back to reference Hansen ÅM (2017) Workplace Bullying, Stress Response and Long-term Sickness Absence-Exploring Mechanisms: Results from Six Cohort Studies. University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Hansen ÅM (2017) Workplace Bullying, Stress Response and Long-term Sickness Absence-Exploring Mechanisms: Results from Six Cohort Studies. University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
go back to reference Hansen Å, Grynderup MB (2017) Do work units where bullying is present have more long-term sickness absence? EAWOP 2017 Hansen Å, Grynderup MB (2017) Do work units where bullying is present have more long-term sickness absence? EAWOP 2017
go back to reference Hansen ÅM, Høgh A, Persson R, Karlson B, Garde AH, Ørbæk P (2006) Bullying at work, health outcomes, and physiological stress response. J Psychosom Res 60:63–72 Hansen ÅM, Høgh A, Persson R, Karlson B, Garde AH, Ørbæk P (2006) Bullying at work, health outcomes, and physiological stress response. J Psychosom Res 60:63–72
go back to reference Hansen Å, Grynderup M, Bonde J (2018) Does workplace bullying affect long-term sickness absence among coworkers? … of occupational and … Hansen Å, Grynderup M, Bonde J (2018) Does workplace bullying affect long-term sickness absence among coworkers? … of occupational and …
go back to reference Hauge LJ, Skogstad A, Einarsen S (2007) Relationships between stressful work environments and bullying: Results of a large representative study. Work Stress 21(3):220–242 Hauge LJ, Skogstad A, Einarsen S (2007) Relationships between stressful work environments and bullying: Results of a large representative study. Work Stress 21(3):220–242
go back to reference Hogh A, Mikkelsen EG, Hansen ÅM (2010) Individual consequences of workplace bullying/mobbing. In: Einarsen S, Hoel H, Zapf D, Cooper CL (eds) Bullying and harassment in the workplace: developments in theory, research, and practice. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 107–128 Hogh A, Mikkelsen EG, Hansen ÅM (2010) Individual consequences of workplace bullying/mobbing. In: Einarsen S, Hoel H, Zapf D, Cooper CL (eds) Bullying and harassment in the workplace: developments in theory, research, and practice. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 107–128
go back to reference Hogh A, Hoel H, Carneiro IG (2011) Bullying and employee turnover among healthcare workers: a three-wave prospective study. J Nurs Manag 19(6):742–751 Hogh A, Hoel H, Carneiro IG (2011) Bullying and employee turnover among healthcare workers: a three-wave prospective study. J Nurs Manag 19(6):742–751
go back to reference Holtom BC, Mitchell TR, Lee TW, Eberly MB (2008) 5 turnover and retention research: a glance at the past, a closer review of the present, and a venture into the future. Acad Manage Ann 2(1):231–274 Holtom BC, Mitchell TR, Lee TW, Eberly MB (2008) 5 turnover and retention research: a glance at the past, a closer review of the present, and a venture into the future. Acad Manage Ann 2(1):231–274
go back to reference Houshmand M, O’Reilly J, Robinson S, Wolff A (2012) Escaping bullying: The simultaneous impact of individual and unit-level bullying on turnover intentions. Hum Relat 65(7):901–918 Houshmand M, O’Reilly J, Robinson S, Wolff A (2012) Escaping bullying: The simultaneous impact of individual and unit-level bullying on turnover intentions. Hum Relat 65(7):901–918
go back to reference Kaerlev L et al (2011) Are risk estimates biased in follow-up studies of psychosocial factors with low base-line participation? BMC Public Health 11:539 Kaerlev L et al (2011) Are risk estimates biased in follow-up studies of psychosocial factors with low base-line participation? BMC Public Health 11:539
go back to reference Kivimaki M et al (2005) Justice at work and reduced risk of coronary heart disease among employees: the Whitehall II Study. Arch Intern Med 165(19):2245–2251 Kivimaki M et al (2005) Justice at work and reduced risk of coronary heart disease among employees: the Whitehall II Study. Arch Intern Med 165(19):2245–2251
go back to reference Kolstad HA et al (2011) Job strain and the risk of depression: is reporting biased? Am J Epidemiol 173(1):94–102 Kolstad HA et al (2011) Job strain and the risk of depression: is reporting biased? Am J Epidemiol 173(1):94–102
go back to reference Lange S, Burr H, Conway PM, Rose U (2019) Workplace bullying among employees in Germany: prevalence estimates and the role of the perpetrator. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 92(2):237–247 Lange S, Burr H, Conway PM, Rose U (2019) Workplace bullying among employees in Germany: prevalence estimates and the role of the perpetrator. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 92(2):237–247
go back to reference Leach LS, Poyser C, Butterworth P (2016) Workplace bullying and the association with suicidal ideation/thoughts and behaviour: a systematic review. Occup Environ Med:oemed-2016-103726 Leach LS, Poyser C, Butterworth P (2016) Workplace bullying and the association with suicidal ideation/thoughts and behaviour: a systematic review. Occup Environ Med:oemed-2016-103726
go back to reference Moreno-Jimenez B, Diaz-Gracia L (2012) Workplace aggression and intention to quit: Examining the mediating role of job satisfaction. DE PSICOLOGÍA 29(2):125–135 Moreno-Jimenez B, Diaz-Gracia L (2012) Workplace aggression and intention to quit: Examining the mediating role of job satisfaction. DE PSICOLOGÍA 29(2):125–135
go back to reference Mortensen EL et al (2014) The relationship between cognitive ability and demographic variables in late midlife. J Aging Health 26:37–53 Mortensen EL et al (2014) The relationship between cognitive ability and demographic variables in late midlife. J Aging Health 26:37–53
go back to reference Nabe-Nielsen K et al (2017) The role of psychological stress reactions in the longitudinal relation between workplace bullying and turnover. J Occup Environ Med 59(7):665–672 Nabe-Nielsen K et al (2017) The role of psychological stress reactions in the longitudinal relation between workplace bullying and turnover. J Occup Environ Med 59(7):665–672
go back to reference Nielsen MB, Notelaers G, Einarsen S (2011) Measuring exposure to workplace bullying. In: Einarsen S, Hoel H, Zapf D, Cooper CL (eds) Bullying and harassment in the workplace. Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, pp 149–174 Nielsen MB, Notelaers G, Einarsen S (2011) Measuring exposure to workplace bullying. In: Einarsen S, Hoel H, Zapf D, Cooper CL (eds) Bullying and harassment in the workplace. Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, pp 149–174
go back to reference Norrbäck M, Tynelius P, Ahlström G, Rasmussen F (2019) The association of mobility disability and obesity with risk of unemployment in two cohorts from Sweden. BMC Public Health 19(1):347 Norrbäck M, Tynelius P, Ahlström G, Rasmussen F (2019) The association of mobility disability and obesity with risk of unemployment in two cohorts from Sweden. BMC Public Health 19(1):347
go back to reference Nygård JF, Klungsøyr O, Sandanger I, Svensson E (2009) Selection effects in psychiatric epidemiology. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 44(10):881–886 Nygård JF, Klungsøyr O, Sandanger I, Svensson E (2009) Selection effects in psychiatric epidemiology. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 44(10):881–886
go back to reference Ortega A, Christensen KB, Hogh A, Rugulies R, Borg V (2010) One year prospective study on the effect of workplace bullying on long-term sickness absence. J Nurs Manage 19:752–759 Ortega A, Christensen KB, Hogh A, Rugulies R, Borg V (2010) One year prospective study on the effect of workplace bullying on long-term sickness absence. J Nurs Manage 19:752–759
go back to reference Pedersen J, Villadsen E, Burr H, Martin M, Nielsen MD, Meinertz L (2011) The Danish Register of Sickness absence compensation benefits and Social transfer payments - RSS., Copenhagen, p 1–56 Pedersen J, Villadsen E, Burr H, Martin M, Nielsen MD, Meinertz L (2011) The Danish Register of Sickness absence compensation benefits and Social transfer payments - RSS., Copenhagen, p 1–56
go back to reference Pejtersen J, Kristensen TS, Bjorner JB, Borg V, Christensen KB (2010) The second version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire. Scand J Public Health 38(suppl 3):8–24 Pejtersen J, Kristensen TS, Bjorner JB, Borg V, Christensen KB (2010) The second version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire. Scand J Public Health 38(suppl 3):8–24
go back to reference Pihl P, Albertsen K, Hogh A, Andersen LPS (2017) Social capital and workplace bullying. Work 57(4):535–545 Pihl P, Albertsen K, Hogh A, Andersen LPS (2017) Social capital and workplace bullying. Work 57(4):535–545
go back to reference Salin D (2003) Ways of explaining workplace bullying: a review of enabling, motivating and precipitating structures and processes in the work environment. Hum Relat 56(10):1213–1232 Salin D (2003) Ways of explaining workplace bullying: a review of enabling, motivating and precipitating structures and processes in the work environment. Hum Relat 56(10):1213–1232
go back to reference Salin D (2008) The prevention of workplace bullying as a question of human resource management: measures adopted and underlying organizational factors. Scand J Manage 24:221–231 Salin D (2008) The prevention of workplace bullying as a question of human resource management: measures adopted and underlying organizational factors. Scand J Manage 24:221–231
go back to reference Salin D (2015) Risk factors of workplace bullying for men and women: The role of the psychosocial and physical work environment. Scand J Psychol 56(1):69–77 Salin D (2015) Risk factors of workplace bullying for men and women: The role of the psychosocial and physical work environment. Scand J Psychol 56(1):69–77
go back to reference Salin D, Hoel H (2011) Organisational causes of workplace bullying. In: Einarsen S, Hoel H, Zapf D, Cooper CL (eds) Bullying and harassment in the workplace: developments in theory, research, and practice, vol 2. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 227–243 Salin D, Hoel H (2011) Organisational causes of workplace bullying. In: Einarsen S, Hoel H, Zapf D, Cooper CL (eds) Bullying and harassment in the workplace: developments in theory, research, and practice, vol 2. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 227–243
go back to reference Skogstad A, Einarsen S, Torsheim T, Aasland MS, Hetland H (2007) The destructiveness of laissez-faire leadership behavior. J Occup Health Psychol 12(1):80–92 Skogstad A, Einarsen S, Torsheim T, Aasland MS, Hetland H (2007) The destructiveness of laissez-faire leadership behavior. J Occup Health Psychol 12(1):80–92
go back to reference Sterud T, Tynes T (2013) Work-related psychosocial and mechanical risk factors for low back pain: a 3-year follow-up study of the general working population in Norway. Occup Environ Med 70(5):296–302 Sterud T, Tynes T (2013) Work-related psychosocial and mechanical risk factors for low back pain: a 3-year follow-up study of the general working population in Norway. Occup Environ Med 70(5):296–302
go back to reference Stromholm T, Pape K, Ose SO, Krokstad S, Bjorngaard JH (2015) Psychosocial working conditions and sickness absence in a general population: a cohort study of 21,834 workers in Norway (The HUNT Study). J Occup Environ Med 57(4):386–392 Stromholm T, Pape K, Ose SO, Krokstad S, Bjorngaard JH (2015) Psychosocial working conditions and sickness absence in a general population: a cohort study of 21,834 workers in Norway (The HUNT Study). J Occup Environ Med 57(4):386–392
go back to reference Tsuno K et al (2015) Socioeconomic determinants of bullying in the workplace: a national representative sample in Japan. PLoS ONE 10(3):e0119435 Tsuno K et al (2015) Socioeconomic determinants of bullying in the workplace: a national representative sample in Japan. PLoS ONE 10(3):e0119435
go back to reference Vartia M (1996) The sources of bullying–psychological work environment and organizational climate. Eur J Work Org Psychol 5(2):203–214 Vartia M (1996) The sources of bullying–psychological work environment and organizational climate. Eur J Work Org Psychol 5(2):203–214
go back to reference Zapf D, Einarsen S, Hoel H, Vartia M (2003) Empirical findings on bullying in the workplace. In: Einarsen S, Hoel H, Zapf D, Cooper CL (eds) Bullying and emotional abuse in the workplace international perspectives in research and practice, 1st edn. Taylor and Francis, London and New York, pp 103–126 Zapf D, Einarsen S, Hoel H, Vartia M (2003) Empirical findings on bullying in the workplace. In: Einarsen S, Hoel H, Zapf D, Cooper CL (eds) Bullying and emotional abuse in the workplace international perspectives in research and practice, 1st edn. Taylor and Francis, London and New York, pp 103–126
Metadata
Title
Labour market affiliation among non-bullied colleagues at work units with reported bullying
Authors
Åse Marie Hansen
Matias Brødsgaard Grynderup
Thomas Clausen
Jens Peter Bonde
Anne Helene Garde
Linda Kaerlev
Henrik A. Kolstad
Annie Hogh
Publication date
01-04-2021
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 3/2021
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-020-01604-8

Other articles of this Issue 3/2021

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 3/2021 Go to the issue