Fear of Retaliation: Workplace Bullying among Malaysian Millennials

Abstract

Workplace bullying is increasingly recognized as a serious issue that negatively affects employee well-being and organizational functioning. While millennials make up a growing segment of the Malaysian workforce, there is limited research on the specific factors contributing to bullying among this group. This study aims to explore the factors that contribute to workplace bullying. This study used a qualitative approach, specifically a case study design. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with five Malaysian millennial informants from both the public and private sectors who had personally experienced workplace bullying. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal three key factors that contribute to workplace bullying: social, organizational, and economic. Social factors include fear of retaliation and cultural norms of silence. The organizational factors include favoritism and cliques, power abuse, fear of retaliation in reporting bullying, weak enforcement of anti-bullying policies, and abuse of performance reviews and resource deprivation. Lastly, the economic factors include financial dependence and the inability to exit. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the Malaysian context and underscores the need for better interventions to promote safer work environments.