Exploring the Experience of Disclosing in the Workplace
Abstract
An alarming rate of workplace violence/harassment is observed each year, with negative outcomes that affect the organization (i.e., financial loss) and those directly involved (i.e., job loss, financial strain, fear of being blamed, being labeled a ‘troublemaker’). The literature indicates that, for many victim-survivors, there is little hope for positive outcomes following a disclosure of workplace violence/harassment. In fact, some studies show that negative reactions to disclosure can compound and intensify the impact of violence/harassment on psychological functioning. However, minimal research has been devoted to the experiences of victim-survivors regarding the outcomes of a disclosure. Utilizing virtual semi-structured interviews, the present study qualitatively examined the experiences of 15 victim-survivors following a disclosure of workplace violence/harassment. Thematic analysis of these interviews identified eight ways that workplaces and work colleagues could react to participants’ disclosures that led to victim-survivors feeling worse. Themes included: (a) lack of accountability, (b) lack of commitment to justice, (c) feeling blamed or invalidated, (d) damaging expectations, (e) inconsistency in responses, (f) deteriorating conditions and relationships, and (g) minimization of harmful effects. These themes offer insight into the lived experiences of victim-survivors who have disclosed workplace violence/harassment and suggest that there is much work needed to be done to positively change these outcomes and experiences. This work could motivate future studies investigating disclosures and the types of responses that victim-survivors receive in various settings.