Title: Beyond the surface: understanding how workplace bullying affects women's performance via emotional exhaustion and psychological well-being

Authors: A. Vasumathi; K. Ganesan; P. Prasad Babu; Smita Panda

Addresses: VIT Business School, VIT University, Vellore-14, Tamil Nadu, India ' School of Computer Science, VIT University, Vellore-14, Tamil Nadu, India ' VIT Business School, VIT University, Vellore-14, Tamil Nadu, India ' VIT Business School, VIT University, Vellore-14, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: This review focuses on workplace bullying that affects women's performance at work. This review investigates how workplace bullying affects women's performance, considering the role of a mediator of emotional exhaustion and psychological well-being. This review revealed consistent associations between workplace bullying and increased emotional exhaustion in women. Emotional exhaustion negatively impacted job performance, including reduced productivity, engagement, and job satisfaction. Higher levels of psychological well-being buffer the negative impact of emotional exhaustion on job performance among women. These findings highlight the complex interplay between workplace bullying, emotional exhaustion, psychological well-being, and job performance in women. Employers and organisations should prioritise preventing and managing workplace bullying while promoting psychological well-being among female employees through supportive programs and policies. This review provides valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers interested in understanding and addressing the impacts of workplace bullying on women's performance through psychological well-being and emotional exhaustion.

Keywords: workplace bullying; psychological well-being; emotional exhaustion; performance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOM.2025.146900

International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 2025 Vol.51 No.2, pp.190 - 220

Received: 02 May 2023
Accepted: 18 Jun 2023
Published online: 25 Jun 2025 *

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