In recent years, our understanding of workplace bullying has evolved significantly, yet its profound psychological impact remains incompletely understood. A promising framework for understanding these effects may be found in the concept of moral injury—a psychological construct originally developed to explain the trauma experienced by military personnel when they witness or participate in acts that transgress deeply held moral beliefs.
The Collision of Values in the Modern Workplace
Every workplace operates with multiple layers of values: the officially stated organizational values, the personal values of employees, and what might be called "shadow values"—unofficial but powerful drivers of behavior within the organization. When workplace bullying occurs, these value systems often collide catastrophically.
Consider a healthcare worker who believes in providing quality patient care but faces pressure to cut corners to meet financial targets, all while enduring hostile behavior from management. The gap between their professional ethics and the organization's shadow values creates a perfect storm for moral injury.
Workplace Bullying as a Potentially Morally Injurious Event (PMIE)
Three key characteristics of workplace bullying qualify it as a potentially morally injurious event:
1. Transgressive Nature: Bullying violates fundamental expectations of human dignity and professional conduct
2. Power Asymmetry: The target often faces significant power differentials, limiting their ability to resist or seek redress
3. High Stakes: The consequences extend beyond immediate discomfort to threaten both livelihood and professional identity
The Psychological Impact
The effects of moral injury in workplace bullying can manifest as:
- Deep sense of betrayal by organizational leadership
- Loss of faith in institutional values
- Questioning of one's professional worth and identity
- Profound disillusionment with one's chosen career path
- Lingering shame and self-doubt
Healing Through Ritual and Reintegration
Ancient wisdom traditions have long recognized the power of ritual in healing moral wounds. Modern applications might include:
- Formal acknowledgment ceremonies when workplace wrongdoing is identified
- Structured processes for reconciliation and reintegration
- Community-based healing practices that restore professional identity
- Creation of new workplace narratives that honor both pain and resilience
Broader Implications
Recognizing workplace bullying as a source of moral injury could revolutionize how we approach:
- Organizational intervention strategies
- Employee support programs
- Prevention of long-term unemployment
- Workplace culture development
- Professional rehabilitation services
Moving Forward
Understanding workplace bullying through the lens of moral injury offers several advantages:
1. It provides a framework for understanding the depth of psychological harm
2. It suggests new approaches to healing and recovery
3. It highlights the importance of addressing systemic issues rather than just individual behaviors
4. It connects workplace trauma to broader human experiences of moral violation and recovery
Conclusion
By recognizing workplace bullying as a potentially morally injurious event, we open new avenues for both understanding and intervention. This framework not only helps explain the devastating impact of workplace bullying but also suggests promising paths forward for prevention, healing, and reintegration. As organizations grapple with creating healthier workplaces, the moral injury perspective offers valuable insights for building more ethical and sustainable professional environments.
The recognition of moral injury in workplace bullying contexts could be a crucial step toward reducing both the immediate impact of bullying and its long-term consequences, including extended unemployment and career derailment. By addressing the moral dimension of workplace trauma, we may find more effective ways to support recovery and foster truly healthy organizational cultures.
Hopefully, research will follow at some point by Academia and test the linkage between workplace bullying and moral injury.
Key Research References for Moral Injury and Workplace Bullying
Moral Injury Foundational Research
1. Litz, B. T., Stein, N., Delaney, E., Lebowitz, L., Nash, W. P., Silva, C., & Maguen, S. (2009). Moral injury and moral repair in war veterans: A preliminary model and intervention strategy. Clinical Psychology Review, 29(8), 695-706.
- Seminal work defining moral injury in military context
2. Shay, J. (2014). Moral injury. Psychoanalytic Psychology, 31(2), 182-191.
- Explores the original conceptualization of moral injury
Workplace Bullying Research
3. Einarsen, S., Hoel, H., Zapf, D., & Cooper, C. L. (2020). Bullying and harassment in the workplace: Theory, research and practice (3rd ed.). CRC Press.
- Comprehensive overview of workplace bullying research
4. Nielsen, M. B., & Einarsen, S. (2018). What we know, what we do not know, and what we should and could have known about workplace bullying: An overview of the literature and agenda for future research. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 42, 71-83.
- Workplace bullying research
Values and Organizational Culture
5. Schein, E. H., & Schein, P. (2017). Organizational culture and leadership (5th ed.). Wiley.
- Discussion of official versus shadow values in organizations
6. Hodson, R., Roscigno, V. J., & Lopez, S. H. (2006). Chaos and the abuse of power: Workplace bullying in organizational and interactional context. Work and Occupations, 33(4), 382-416.
- Power dynamics in workplace bullying
Moral Injury in Non-Military Contexts
7. Talbot, S. G., & Dean, W. (2018). Physicians aren't 'burning out.' They're suffering from moral injury. STAT News.
- Application of moral injury to healthcare settings
8. Papazoglou, K., & Chopko, B. (2017). The role of moral suffering (moral distress and moral injury) in police compassion fatigue and PTSD: An unexplored topic. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1999.
- Extension of moral injury to law enforcement
Psychological Impact and Recovery
9. Dombo, E. A., Gray, C., & Early, B. P. (2013). The trauma of moral injury: Beyond the battlefield. Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought, 32(3), 197-210.
- Broader applications of moral injury healing
10. Nieuwenhuijsen, K., Bruinvels, D., & Frings-Dresen, M. (2010). Psychosocial work environment and stress-related disorders, a systematic review. Occupational Medicine, 60(4), 277-286.
- Link between workplace stress and psychological disorders
Ritual and Healing
11. Tick, E. (2014). Warrior's return: Restoring the soul after war. .
- Discussion of ritual in moral injury healing
12. Turner, V. W. (1969). The ritual process: Structure and anti-structure. Aldine Transaction.
- Classical work on ritual and social healing
Employment Outcomes
13. Nielsen, M. B., & Einarsen, S. V. (2012). Outcomes of exposure to workplace bullying: A meta-analytic review. Work & Stress, 26(4), 309-332.
- Impact of workplace bullying on employment
14. Glambek, M., Skogstad, A., & Einarsen, S. (2015). Take it or leave: A five-year prospective study of workplace bullying and indicators of expulsion in working life. Industrial Health, 53(2), 160-170.
- Long-term employment effects of workplace bullying
Intervention Strategies
15. Leiter, M. P., & Maslach, C. (2016). Latent burnout profiles: A new approach to understanding the burnout experience. Burnout Research, 3(4), 89-100.
- Related work on professional burnout and intervention
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