Lean and mean: how NPM facilitates the bullying of UK employees with long-term health conditions

Abstract

This empirical study explores perceptions of bullying among public sector workers with long-term health conditions (LTHC), using focus groups and interviews with knowledgeable trade union members and representatives. While incidents of overt discrimination occurred, there was more support for the social model of disability, with bullying largely attributed to intensive working practices typical of new public management.

Keywords:

• Discrimination
• long-term health conditions
• new public management (NPM)
• social model of disability
• workplace bullying

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hazel Mawdsley

Hazel Mawdsley is a Lecturer in the Business School, University of South Wales, UK.

Duncan Lewis

Duncan Lewis is Professor of Management in the Graduate School of Management, Plymouth University, UK.