Workplace bullying in school teachers: An Indian enquiry

Pages: 200-205
Saurabh Sinha and Rama Shankar Yadav (Department of Psychology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi )

This paper aims to explore the shared understanding about workplace bullying in Indian educational settings. The study also intends to explore the major antecedents and consequences of workplace bullying. Possible solutions to diminish the workplace bullying among teachers were also generated. Qualitative thematic analysis was carried out to engender the meaning and possible solutions for reducing the impact of workplace bullying. Twenty semi structured interviews on senior secondary (10+2) teachers were conducted during the study. Workplace bullying as perceived by Indian teachers was a prolonged act of humiliation and excessive monitoring on employees. Workplace bullying occurs in Indian educational context to exhibit power and establish dominance over the employees. It was also reported that bullied employees had frequent complaint of problems such as stress, anxiety and depression. The act of bullying may even develop intention to quit the job, which is considered detrimental for the organization.