On this page, I publish research-informed articles and insights on workplace conflict, psychosocial risks, and conflict resolution, aimed at supporting both individuals and organisations in building healthier, more accountable workplaces.
A. Workplace bullying
Workplace bullying, also referred to as mobbing, acoso, harcèlement moral, harcèlement psychologique, or power harassment depending on the jurisdiction, is generally understood as a pattern of systematic and repetitive harmful behaviours directed at an individual(s) in the workplace.
Such behaviour can undermine a person’s dignity, affect psychological wellbeing, and may negatively impact professional standing. Rather than isolated incidents, workplace bullying develops over time and may create a hostile, intimidating, degrading, or threatening work environment.
Typical forms of workplace bullying
Common behaviours include:
- Verbal abuse, insults, or humiliating comments
- Social isolation or exclusion from workplace activities
- Excessive monitoring or unmanageable workloads
- Undermining or deliberately obstructing work performance
- Threats, intimidation, or misuse of hierarchical power
Why it’s important to address workplace bullying
For the individual:
- Psychological harm (stress, anxiety, depression)
- Reduced productivity and job satisfaction
- Increased risk of burnout or long-term health issues
For organisations:
- Higher absenteeism and staff turnover
- Lower overall productivity and morale
- Risk of legal claims or reputational damage
Academic research on workplace bullying
This paper published in Journal of work health and safety regulation examines moral harassment (workplace bullying) in Belgian workplaces, analysing the applicable legal framework and the main mechanisms available to the victims, namely informal and formal procedures, as well as court action, while also integrating insights from management literature and personal experiences. This article highlights the shortcomings of existing protections and offers recommendations for strengthening safeguards against moral harassment in Belgian workplaces.
lerecon.org 