A victimological analysis on the experiences of educators in government schools as victims of workplace bullying in Pietermaritzburg.

Abstract

Workplace bullying is not a recent phenomenon, extensive research has been conducted to examine this form of violence. However, while there has been an increase in research on workplace bullying, far too little attention has been paid to the impact of workplace bullying on South African educators, particularly in the KwaZulu-Natal Province, and the challenges they face on a daily basis. Workplace bullying persists as a pervasive issue worldwide, impacting both unorganised public sectors and educational institutions. This violence poses a significant threat to peace and security and infringes upon the human rights of affected individuals. In recent years, this problem has increased, and its exploitative and manipulative nature has destroyed the lives many educators. The aim of this study is to investigate the experiences of educators in government schools as victims of workplace bullying in Pietermaritzburg. It determines the motivating factors that contribute to workplace bullying. It explores the various forms of workplace bullying experienced in these schools, it determines the effects on the victims and examines strategic intervention measures to successfully tackle this violence. To accomplish the study’s goals and objectives, the researcher used the qualitative data method of research, which offered a methodical framework for data collection techniques. The study explored the authentic views of the educators using semi-structured interviews. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 participants who were sampled using a non-probability sampling technique. The interviews were held in July 2024. All the participants were from Pietermaritzburg and were sampled using a purposive sampling method. Thirteen educators were females and two were males. The participants shared their views on the motivating factors and forms of workplace bullying, and the effects these factors have on them. According to the study, the majority of educators in the government schools being investigated have been victims of emotional, verbal, psychological, and neglectful bullying. The study finds that educators suffer long-term consequences from bullying, and the majority of this violence goes unreported. In this context, South Africa's approach to workplace bullying should be focused on developing a system that can guide practices to completely eradicate it. This could be done by strictly enforcing existing laws and utilising cooperative strategic measures. The Department of Education (DoE) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) are two examples of agencies that should not be complacent in dealing with this violence.