bullies beware
Suzy Fox, PhD, and Lamont E. Stallworth, PhD, both professors at the Institute of Human Resources and Employment Relations in Loyola’s Graduate School of Business, have completed three major studies to better define workplace bullying. Fox, editor of Counterproductive Work Behavior: Investigations of Actors and Targets, is an expert in industrial/organizational psychology. Stallworth, past president of the Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution and a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators, brings legal and dispute resolution expertise to the partnership. “Both of us are very deeply concerned with issues like discrimination and things that make working life difficult for people,” says Fox. “This affects everybody, in every walk of life.”
Fox and Stallworth define six types of bullying in the workplace, including behavior that intimidates, isolates, or undermines a co-worker. These types of behavior have harmful consequences both for the “target” of the bullying and for the organization. Having defined the problem, Fox and Stallworth are working to design policies and training programs that help organizations provide healthier, safer, and more productive workplaces. “There are very few people studying this area academically,” says Fox. “We are really at an exciting juncture now where we can try to propose solutions.”
There are currently 22 anti-bullying legislative bills pending in 12 states. Fox and Stallworth are working on developing additional legislation requiring the establishment of internal policies to prevent and resolve workplace bullying. Fox and Stallworth are also examining ways to create fair and cost-effective dispute resolution procedures within organizations. “Employees must have effective, employer-sponsored ways to make their voices heard,” says Stallworth. “There is often an imbalance of power between an employer and an employee, and we’re looking for internal procedures to bring about legitimate and fair solutions.” Fox and Stallworth are presenting their findings at a number of national conferences this year and in 2008.