Bystander Responses to Bullying at Work: The Role of Mode, Type and Relationship to Target

Abstract

Framed within theories of fairness and stress, the current paper examines bystanders' intervention intention to workplace bullying across two studies based on international employee samples (N = 578). Using a vignettebased design, we examined the role of bullying mode (offline vs. online), bullying type (personal vs. work-related) and target closeness (friend vs. work colleague) on bystanders' behavioural intentions to respond, to sympathise with the victim (defender role), to reinforce the perpetrator (prosecutor role) or to be ambivalent (commuter role). Results illustrated a pattern of the influence of mode and type on bystander intentions. Bystanders were least likely to support the victim and more likely to agree with perpetrator actions for cyberbullying and work-related acts. Tentatively, support emerged for the effect of target closeness on bystander intentions. Although effect sizes were small, when the target was a friend, bystanders tended to be more likely to act and defend the victim and less likely to reinforce the perpetrator. Implications for research and the potential for bystander education are discussed.

Bullying bystander reactions: a case study in the Taiwanese workplace

“…Other studies have suggested that workplace friends tend to help targets in bullying incidents (Brody and Vangelisti ; Coyne et al. ; D'Cruz and Noronha ). In the present case, however, the targets’ friends were able to provide only limited and low‐profile support.…”

“…Furthermore, because managers hold authority over the performance appraisals and promotions of employees, bystanders often choose to tolerate bullying behavior out of fear that they will become the next targets, as participants in the present study did. Other studies have suggested that workplace friends tend to help targets in bullying incidents (Brody and Vangelisti 2016;Coyne et al 2016;D'Cruz and Noronha 2011). In the present case, however, the targets' friends were able to provide only limited and low-profile support.…”

“…; Coyne et al. ; D'Cruz and Noronha ). In addition to each bystander's attribution and closeness to either the target or the perpetrator, other contextual factors such as gender (Mulder et al.…”

“…Other researchers have found that co-workers who are close to bullying targets are more likely to intervene and support them (Brody and Vangelisti 2016;D'Cruz and Noronha 2011). However, bystanders' good intentions toward targets may be hindered by the possibility of negative outcomes for bystanders if they become involved (B aez-Le on et al 2016;Coyne et al 2016;D'Cruz and Noronha 2011). In addition to each bystander's attribution and closeness to either the target or the perpetrator, other contextual factors such as gender (Mulder et al 2017), legal accountability (Swan 2015), and culture (D'Cruz et al 2016;Giorgi et al 2016) are likely to shape a bystander's reaction to bullying.…”

Does sexual orientation of bullying target influence bystander response?

“…Bystanders to bullying can validate the experience of a target and assist and support the target, making their role particularly important in addressing workplace bullying (Coyne et al, 2019). Exploring the response of bystanders to workplace bullying based on target sexual orientation may uncover effective strategies to reduce the detrimental effects of this type of mistreatment in a marginalized workforce segment (Mulder, et al, 2017;Paull, et al, 2012).…”