Backstabbing in Organizations: Employees’ Perceptions of Incidents, Motives, and Communicative Responses

Abstract

This study examined employees’ perceptions of backstabbing in the workplace and an initial typology was developed for backstabbing incidents, perceived motives, and communicative responses. We employed thematic inductive analysis and unitizing to develop the typology and approached this study from the decoder's perspective (the target), whereas previous research on other negative behaviors in the workplace focused on the encoder's perspective (the perpetrator). Results indicated that active incidents (e.g., talked behind back) were more prevalent than passive incidents (e.g., withheld information), perceived motives were primarily self-interest (e.g., self-advancement), and communicative responses included interaction (e.g., confronted backstabber), action (e.g., left job), and inaction (e.g., ignored). Other responses were emotion and cognition. Demographics indicated that this phenomenon cuts across numerous organizations, industries, and hierarchical positions.

Keywords:

• Aggression
• Backstabbing
• Communication
• Organizations
• Typology

Notes

Note. Fifty-six participants stated that they held management or supervisory positions.

Lay definitions of backstabbing came from the following sources: Oxford English Dictionary (1989), www.dictionary.com, www.wikipedia.com.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Patty Malone

Patty Malone is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Communication Studies Suites at California State University Fullerton.

Javette Hayes

Javette Hayes is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Communication Studies Suites at California State University Fullerton.