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Pathways of Job-related Negative Behaviour pp 1–29Cite as

The Role of Work Environment Authorities in the Dynamics of Workplace Bullying, Emotional Abuse and Harassment

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Part of the book series: Handbooks of Workplace Bullying, Emotional Abuse and Harassment ((HWBEAH,volume 2))

Abstract

This chapter discusses the role of labour inspectorates, also often referred to as labour administrations or work environment authorities, in preventing and managing workplace bullying, emotional abuse and harassment. By analysing and comparing different legal frameworks to regulate (prevent and manage) the work environment pursuant to the relevant occupational health and safety (OHS) policies and the employers’ duty of care or pursuant to the right to dignity at work within employment legislation and labour law, it illustrates how the role of the inspectorates is linked to the content and the context of legal provisions in each country. The chapter further highlights how specialized OHS inspectorates are only preventive and protective of workers’ health, while general labour inspectorates are mainly reactive, as they primarily investigate bullying complaints and then implement remedial measures on working conditions. It discusses the different approaches of different agencies which include enforcement, information, mediation, arbitration and investigation, followed by a more detailed examination of the enforcement of rules on compensation, employment and OHS. The chapter concludes by outlining the key dilemmas and challenges faced by work environment authorities in managing workplace bullying, emotional abuse and harassment and presents some reflections about pathways for future research and practice.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Labour and Social Security Inspectorate, Bilbao, Spain

    Manuel Velázquez

  2. Nottingham University Business School, Nottingham, UK

    Aditya Jain

Authors
  1. Manuel Velázquez
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  2. Aditya Jain
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Manuel Velázquez or Aditya Jain .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Organizational Behaviour (OB), Indian Institute of Management Organizational Behaviour (OB), Ahmedabad, India

    Premilla D'Cruz

  2. Organizational Behaviour, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad Organizational Behaviour, Ahmedabad, India

    Ernesto Noronha

  3. Faculty of Economics and Business, KU Leuven Faculty of Economics and Business, Brussels, Brussels Hoofdst.ge., Belgium

    Elfi Baillien

  4. School of Management, North Shore MSC, Massey University School of Management, North Shore MSC, Auckland, New Zealand

    Bevan Catley

  5. The University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

    Karen Harlos

  6. Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen Department of Psychology, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Annie Hogh

  7. Gemzoe Consult, Aarhus, Denmark

    Eva Gemzoe Mikkelsen

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Velázquez, M., Jain, A. (2018). The Role of Work Environment Authorities in the Dynamics of Workplace Bullying, Emotional Abuse and Harassment. In: D'Cruz, P., et al. Pathways of Job-related Negative Behaviour. Handbooks of Workplace Bullying, Emotional Abuse and Harassment, vol 2. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-6173-8_19-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-6173-8_19-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-6173-8

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