Examining 'sticky' storytelling and moral claims as the essence of workplace bullying.
Nurs Outlook 2020;
68:647-656. [PMID:
32622647 DOI:
10.1016/j.outlook.2020.05.007]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Fisher (1985) argued that "there is no genre…that is not an episode in the story of life" (p. 347). As they incorporate moral claims, stories become 'sticky,' even when they are not accurate of fact, shifting listener beliefs, values, and sense of self.
PURPOSE
This study examined 'sticky' storytelling and moral claims inherent in workplace bullying.
METHOD
Critical hermeneutic method nested within an integrative review served as the research approach, extending findings reported in published research reports and gray literature.
FINDINGS
Through polished use of rhetorical style and resource control strategies within tacitly or explicitly supportive workplace contexts, bullies construct convincing but morally disengaged narratives-sticky stories-that violate ethical principles and yield moral ambiguity for their victims as they impede workplace productivity.
DISCUSSION
Largely ineffective, policies aimed to stem bullying have done little to date to mitigate bullying's impact. Recognizing the moral storytelling characterizing workplace bullying might strengthen policy for constraining workplace bullying.
Collapse