Voices of abused workers: Implications for mitigating worker mistreatment

Abstract

In the contemporary business reality, marked by unemployment and loose labor markets, workplace abuse is likely to climb as organizations and managers wield increased leverage in the employment relationship. We explore the organizational phenomenon of worker abuse and examine workplace blog accounts from abused workers to uncover shared insights. Based on these findings, we offer research-based suggestions, implications for practice, and resources for organizations, managers, and workers. Specifically, we advance an ABUSE mitigation model as a holistic management system for identifying and dealing with workplace abuse.