Bullying Experiences of Workers in Small-Sized Workplaces: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

While the study of workplace bullying has been ongoing for 30 years, there remains a lack of research focused on small business workers, despite their vulnerability to workplace bullying due to personal, environmental, and social factors. Therefore, this study applied a phenomenological qualitative research method to identify the phenomenon of workplace bullying, which negatively influences the sustainable development of small-sized workplaces. Methods: This research employed Colaizzi’s phenomenological research approach to explore the meaning and core structure of workplace bullying experiences among individuals working in small businesses. The research included a sample of 10 participants, and data collection took place from May to July in 2023. This involved conducting individual interviews with each participant, varying in frequency from one to three times, and each lasting between one to three hours. Results: This study revealed several significant themes, including individuals feeling stigmatized as incompetent, experiencing gaslighting, having nowhere to run for escape, and often confronting dilemma situations. Moreover, these themes coalesced into two theme clusters: the sense of one’s identity being gradually eroded and a prevailing feeling of having nowhere to turn for help. Ultimately, the core theme that emerged from this research—“the dimly lit maze of life”—encapsulated the complex nature of these experiences. Conclusions: Eliminating workplace bullying for the long-term success and sustainable development of small-sized workplaces will require a united front, involving employers, employees, policymakers, and society at large. Therefore, as a methodology for practically addressing the problem of workplace bullying in small businesses, I propose a problem-solving-oriented participatory action research method based on an ecological model in which participants make a plan, implement the plan, observe the process, and reflect on the outcome of the implemented plan.