Experiencing the 'Other': a phenomenological study of being bullied in the workplace

This interpretative phenomenological enquiry into the experience of being bullied in the workplace identifies five themes connected to bullying: The Impossible Pendulum, Echoes of Past Bullying, Reframing and Re-blaming of Self, Finding My-”Self” Again and Reframing the Future. Workplace bullying is recognised as a global phenomenon. However, research estimates that the vast majority of incidents go unreported. One UK study found 50% of respondents had been bullied at work or had witnessed others being bullied. Most research focuses on the incidence and typologies of bullying or the impact of bullying on business. Far fewer studies have been conducted qualitatively and even less explored the experience of being bullied at work. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 10 co-respondents who had been bullied at work. The interviews were then analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The five interpretative themes were discussed with special reference to Nietzsche’s “master” and “slave” concept, Heidegger’s idea of “unavailableness” and the pivotal role that our experience of the “Other” and our “Other-ness” plays. This research shows that the “lived experience” of workplace bullying can have far-reaching, negative and ongoing effects in an individual’s “life-world”. The findings are also discussed in light of the theoretical and methodological concerns that surround IPA studies. An outline for workplace anti-bullying training is discussed and the contribution this study makes to Counselling Psychology is explored. Implications for future research arising from this study and others are also suggested and discussed.