TITLE:
Workplace mistreatment: Health, working environment and social and economic factors
AUTHORS:
Margaret Hodgins
KEYWORDS:
Workplace Bullying; Mistreatment
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.6 No.5,
February
24,
2014
ABSTRACT: Objective: To explore
patterns of workplace mistreatment, relationships with health and with
selected workplace, economic and social factors in 34 countries. Methods: Secondary
data analysis of the European Working Conditions Survey. Results: Patterns of
ill treatment (across occupational groups,
and sectors) were broadly consistent with smaller, less representative
studies. Prevalence was lower than many studies but corresponds with estimates of serious mistreatment.
Mistreatment increases the risk of both physical and mental ill health and is
associated with a range of work environment factors. Mistreatment is more
prevalent in countries with smaller gender gaps, better performance on the GINI
index for income inequality and for countries with specific anti-bullying
legislation. Conclusions: Mistreatment in work is complex, and interventions
are required at the level of the organization. Implementation issues need to
be addressed, as specific anti-bullying legislation does not appear to provide
sufficient protection.