Workplace mobbing experience at Antioquia companies between 2006 and 2019

Abstract

This study aims to uncover workplace harassment experiences of workers and contractors in Antioquia between 2006 and 2019, a period which corresponds to the enactment of Law 1010 and the end of this research. Workplace harassment experiences are characterized, and the participants’ coping strategies, the consequences of harassment, and the possible involvement of Human Resources are identified. The research employs a hermeneutic methodological approach, applies the collective case study as methodological strategy and uses in-depth interview as data collection method. The data was processed using Excel content analysis matrices, allowing for the integration and comparison of narratives in order to identify trends. The findings show that harassment victims undergo the majority of its stages, and that the most common form of harassment is workplace persecution, which has serious physical and psychological consequences. It can also be concluded that the involvement of Human Resources can be decisive in allowing or avoiding harassment; therefore, an effective treatment of the problem may ensure that harassment actions cease; otherwise, they will be perpetuated within the company.