Defeating abusive supervision: Training supervisors to support subordinates

Area of Science:

• Organizational Psychology
• Management Science

Background:

• Abusive supervision is a known workplace issue with significant consequences.
• Limited research exists on effective interventions to decrease abusive supervision.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the impact of supervisor support training on subordinate perceptions of abusive supervision.
• To assess the effectiveness of training in enhancing perceived supervisor support.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental design was employed.
• Supervisors received training in supportive strategies (benevolence, sincerity, fairness, experiential processing).
• Perceptions of abusive supervision and supervisor support were compared pre- and post-training.

Main Results:

• Employees whose supervisors received training reported significantly higher perceived supervisor support.
• Employees whose supervisors received training reported significantly less abusive supervision compared to control groups.
• Positive effects were sustained for at least 9 months post-training.

Conclusions:

• A brief supervisor support training program can effectively reduce abusive supervision.
• The training enhances manager supportiveness and positively impacts employee perceptions.
• Findings offer practical strategies for managing and mitigating abusive supervision in organizations.