Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace: Policy, Practice and Prevention in the Publicly Funded Arts in Northern Ireland

Abstract

This study takes as its subject the issue of bullying and harassment in the UK arts sector. The research comprises a discussion of the organisational antibullying and harassment policies in place at two leading Belfast-based arts institutions, and an analysis of the findings from interviews carried out with staff at these institutions regarding attitudes to bullying and harassment in their specific work place and in the arts sector more generally. The analysis of these interviews identifies and discusses a number of factors that contribute to the specific nature of bullying and harassment found in the arts. These include: precarious employment practices, charismatic leadership styles and artistic temperaments, and male dominated environments, in addition to documenting and discussing attitudes towards these issues.