Bullying in the Academic work Environment at King Saud University from the Perspective of the Faculty Members

Abstract

Objectives:  The study aimed to identify the forms of bullying in the academic work environment, reveal its causes, and provide suggested solutions to combat and reduce it.

Methods: The study was conducted on a sample of 361 faculty members at King Saud University, chosen using the stratified random method. The descriptive analytical approach was used as a research methodology, and a questionnaire tool was applied to collect data.

Results: The findings of the study showed that among the forms of bullying that obtained a high degree of agreement from the study sample were deliberate isolation and exclusion from committees, activities, and events; obstruction of important goals such as access to academic leadership positions or benefiting from university resources; and settling personal scores through means such as performance evaluation, hindering job promotion, and discussing scientific theses/dissertations. The study findings also showed a very high degree of agreement among the study sample members on the causes of bullying, including the lack of anti-bullying policies and the absence of a culture promoting human rights in the academic work environment.

Conclusion: The study concluded that establishing an anti-bullying policy at the university, the adoption of a framework by the university administration to change the culture of tolerance and condoning of bullying, and raising awareness among faculty members about the anti-bullying policy and its written rules through awareness programs are among the suggested solutions for combating bullying, which received a very high degree of agreement from study participants.