Reference no: EM133288869
Assignment:
CASE SUMMARY
This case examines the concept of workplace bullying within a fictional B.C. organization.
Workplace bullying can be defined as "offensive, intimidating, malicious, or insulting behaviour, which is an abuse or misuse of power through means intended to undermine, humiliate, denigrate, or injure the intended victim." Catano et al. (2019)
Bullying is usually seen as acts or verbal comments that could psychologically or 'mentally' hurt or isolate a person in the workplace. Sometimes, bullying can involve negative physical contact as well. Bullying usually involves repeated incidents or a pattern of behaviour that is intended to intimidate, offend, degrade or humiliate a particular person or group of people. It has also been described as the assertion of power through aggression. (CCOHS)
WorkSafeBC defines workplace bullying and harassment as "any inappropriate conduct or comment by a person towards a worker that the person knew or reasonably should have known would cause that worker to be humiliated or intimidated."
This case revolves around Marnie and her supervisor, Isabelle. Marnie, a long-term pleasant office assistant is confronted with hostile, rude and insulting behaviour and comments from her supervisor. The case study traces these various incidents which Marnie undergoes at her office. The incidents range from incivility, verbal abuse, unfair criticism and inappropriate performance evaluations. Marnie loses her confidence, self-esteem, becomes depressed and stressed out. She starts hating work, is unable to concentrate and wonders about her options.
Sidebar - ROLE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
The human resources department is responsible for the following functions:
- Recruitment and Selection
- Development of Job descriptions
- New employee orientation
- Performance Development
- Performance Evaluations
- Total Compensation
- Training Facilities: skills enhancement, learning resource centre, manager/supervisor training.
- Organizational Development: managerial consulting, assessment diagnosis, group process consultation and facilitation, design and development of improvement strategies, team building, consultation on the design and delivery of customized department training, referrals to operational and administrative.
- Employee Benefits: extended health & dental insurance, emergency travel insurance, wellness, pension & retirement
- Employee & Family Assistance Program: assessments, counseling and referrals, on-site critical incident stress debriefings, on-site education for managers and employees (*sexual harassment).
- Employee Harassment Policies and Procedures (*no specific mention of Workplace Bullying)
Indicative Content
Investigating the incident as an HR specialist. Provide a list of your resources.
- Examine the concept of workplace bullying using your critical thinking skills. Apply the reasonable person test to this situation.
- What resources does the employee have at their disposal?
- What is the responsibility of the supervisor? What is the responsibility of the organization?
- What actions would you take as the HR professional tasked with the inquiry?
- What are your recommendations to the organization for resolving the problem?
Presentation
Summary of scenario, research and recommended solution/outcome.