Effects of workplace bullying against female employees who work in the female- dominated workplace in the Department of Social Development, Regional Office, Gauteng

Abstract

Bullying is humiliating, damaging, and cruel. However, its significant impact on the psychological well-being of the victim is often overlooked. In addition, bullying within the workplace affects productivity, staff turnover, morale, and motivation of employees. This study explores the effects of female-to-female employee bullying within a female-dominated workplace in Gauteng. The study adopts a qualitative approach and a phenomenological design to explore participants’ perspectives on their experiences, actions, and events. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 10 participants who were employees working in a female- dominated workplace in Gauteng. Semi-structured interviews were used for collecting the data which was then analysed using semi-structured interviews. The study findings contribute to filling the research gap on female-to-female workplace bullying in South Africa.