Silenced and stressed: impact of reporting workplace bullying and harassment for academic staff in Irish higher education

Purpose – Workplace well-being is an increasingly critical issue influenced by systemic factors, particularly in academic settings. This study investigated workplace bullying (WPB) and harassment in higher education institutions in Ireland, drawing upon the Ottawa Charter and conservation of resources theory to contextualise the impacts on employee well-being. Design/methodology/approach – Twenty-five participants responded to a survey that first measured occurrences and impact of WPB. The survey was followed by open-ended questioning eliciting narratives around the experience of reporting WPB to reveal organisational responses and subsequent impacts of reporting WPB. Findings – The prevalence of barriers to reporting showed that out of 25 participants, 18 experienced barriers to reporting WPB. Seventeen participants documented the negative impacts of barriers to reporting WPB. Lack of human resource management (HRM) implementation incurred organisational consequences, such as increased staff turnover and a negative impact on institutional culture. Research limitations/implications – The online survey was conducted during the summer annual leave period, which impeded distribution. The mixed-method approach did not capture complete narratives from some participants in response to the open-ended question. Furthermore, all disclosures were self-reported, making it challenging to confirm that the reported impacts were directly linked to workplace experiences. Practical implications – The findings of this research highlight the need for more effective HRM practices, leadership training and accountability to manage WPB reporting processes to reduce impact and inform prevention. Social implications – The challenges of reporting WPB have broader social ramifications, affecting the overall well-being of academic staff and institutional cultures. Originality/value – This approach moved away from WPB as the measured impact, focusing on the subsequent impacts of voicing concern.