The Valid Voices of Human Resources Professionals: Addressing with Workplace Bullying from the Human Resources Perspective (2021)

After ten years of conducting workplace bullying research, I noticed that human resources departments are typically vilified regarding their response to reported workplace bullying. Common questions such as the impact of an ombudsperson and the impact of the organizational structure were central research questions in various studies. Also, workplace bullying disproportionally affects women and people of color. In turn, this chapter reviews how survey design and the resulting data were at the foundation of the full-length book Human Resource Perspectives on Workplace Bullying in Higher Education: Understanding Vulnerable Employees’ Experiences (2021). The primary data collection instruments relied on a sample of n = 245 human resources professionals. I utilized theories regarding abuse and power [Grossman, Boston University Law Review, 95, 1029–1048 (2015)], Bolman and Deal’s [Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership. John Wiley & Sons (2017)] organizational structure theories, and other bureaucratic theorists including Manning [Organizational theory in higher education. Routledge (2017)], Northouse [Leadership: Theory and Practice. Sage Publications (2021)], and Weber et al. [From Max Weber: Essays in Sociology: Essays in Sociology. Oxford University Press (1946)]. The Cronbach’s Alpha process is presented step-by-step. The chapter continues with the data collection procedures and the findings; then the actual instrument is presented. The chapter concludes by discussing the book chapters and conference presentations that resulted from the study.