Article: Women's productivity in hostile work environments: evaluating organisational efforts to tackle workplace bullying and its mediating impact on psychological consequences Journal: International Journal of Work Innovation (IJWI) 2025 Vol.6 No.3 pp.299 - 322 Abstract: The present study explores how bullying at work affects women's productivity, with a particular focus on the mediating role of psychological consequences. Using Albert Bandura's social cognitive theory as a foundation, the research examines how workplace bullying can lead to a decline in women's self-efficacy and self-worth, as well as foster negative emotional states and reduced coping mechanisms. A questionnaire survey was conducted among female employees in the leather industry in Vellore and Tirupattur Districts of Tamil Nadu. The research design used in this study is descriptive. The statistical sample consisted of 527 female labourers. Observational learning plays a crucial role, wherein women witnessing bullying behaviours or the lack of appropriate consequences may internalise such attitudes, further impacting their psychological well-being. As a result, the study explores how the psychological consequences of workplace bullying significantly influence women's productivity in the workplace. The findings highlight the importance of implementing targeted interventions, such as anti-bullying policies, support systems, and mentorship opportunities, to reduce the adverse consequences of bullying at work and create a supportive work environment that empowers women and enhances their overall productivity and satisfaction. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Women's productivity in hostile work environments: evaluating organisational efforts to tackle workplace bullying and its mediating impact on psychological consequences

Authors: C. Divyakala; A. Vasumathi

Addresses: VIT Business School, VIT University, Vellore-632 014, Tamil Nadu, India ' VIT Business School, VIT University, Vellore-632 014, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: The present study explores how bullying at work affects women's productivity, with a particular focus on the mediating role of psychological consequences. Using Albert Bandura's social cognitive theory as a foundation, the research examines how workplace bullying can lead to a decline in women's self-efficacy and self-worth, as well as foster negative emotional states and reduced coping mechanisms. A questionnaire survey was conducted among female employees in the leather industry in Vellore and Tirupattur Districts of Tamil Nadu. The research design used in this study is descriptive. The statistical sample consisted of 527 female labourers. Observational learning plays a crucial role, wherein women witnessing bullying behaviours or the lack of appropriate consequences may internalise such attitudes, further impacting their psychological well-being. As a result, the study explores how the psychological consequences of workplace bullying significantly influence women's productivity in the workplace. The findings highlight the importance of implementing targeted interventions, such as anti-bullying policies, support systems, and mentorship opportunities, to reduce the adverse consequences of bullying at work and create a supportive work environment that empowers women and enhances their overall productivity and satisfaction.

Keywords: workplace bullying; WB; productivity; women; leather industry; psychological consequences.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWI.2025.147774

International Journal of Work Innovation, 2025 Vol.6 No.3, pp.299 - 322

Received: 19 Oct 2023
Accepted: 24 Jan 2024
Published online: 31 Jul 2025 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article

Title: Women's productivity in hostile work environments: evaluating organisational efforts to tackle workplace bullying and its mediating impact on psychological consequences

Keep up-to-date