Linking Workplace Bullying and Work Engagement: The Mediating Role of Psychological Contract Violation

Abstract

While decades of research on workplace bullying has resulted in a sound understanding of its consequences, the effects of workplace bullying on positive employee outcomes and the underlying mechanisms in bullying–outcomes relationships are not well understood. The present study examines the relationship between workplace bullying and work engagement and whether it is mediated by psychological contract violation (PCV). Data were gathered from a sample of 835 full-time managerial employees working in different Indian organizations across manufacturing and service sectors. Results suggest that workplace bullying is significantly related to work engagement and this relationship is partially mediated by PCV. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.