Moral harassment at work model and inability

Izabel C Martins Campos1, Lizandra da Silva, Rafaela Luiza Trevisan

  • 1Federal University of Santa Catarina - UFSC, Santa Catarina, Brazil State Secretary of Administration's Office, Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Work (Reading, Mass.)
|February 10, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Moral Harassment at Work (MHW) is a severe issue impacting individuals and organizations. This study models MHW, linking its components to work inability and suggesting prevention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Occupational Health
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Background:

  • Moral Harassment at Work (MHW) involves humiliation, mockery, isolation, and psychological torture.
  • MHW negatively impacts workers, organizations, productivity, and society.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a multifaceted model of MHW.
  • To characterize MHW components and their link to inability to work.
  • To aid ergonomists in understanding and preventing MHW.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review to identify MHW components and risk factors.

Main Results:

  • A model demonstrating aggressor/victim dynamics and MHW causes.
  • Analysis of degraded work management and MHW modalities.
  • Identification of MHW's impact on victim's inability to work.

Conclusions:

  • MHW is a complex phenomenon requiring integrated prevention strategies.
  • Minimizing occupational risks necessitates changes in job organization, behavior, leadership, and social labor relations.

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