Examining 'sticky' storytelling and moral claims as the essence of workplace bullying

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.