LAUSR

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to identity levels of workplace bullying based on cut-off scores, frequency and self-labelled victimization, and to use these levels to identify the escalation of workplace bullying in terms of onset of different negative acts. Data were collected from a representative sample of the Swedish workforce (n = 1856). Bullying was measured using the Negative Acts Questionnaire–Revised together with self-labelled victimization based on a definition. Other variables included aspects of work experience, perception of the organization, and health and well-being. The results showed differences between the suggested levels of workplace bullying (Risk for bullying and Incipient bullying; Ongoing bullying; and Severe and Extreme bullying) for these variables, and also that different areas were pronounced at different levels of workplace bullying. Further, the onset of different negative acts depended on the level of workplace bullying, at early stages only work-related negative acts, but at higher levels more person-related negative acts. The study contributes to the understanding of workplace bullying and the escalation process. The suggested new levels of bullying also have practical and pedagogical value making it easier to grasp and to convey to, e.g. HR personnel, and organizational psychologists.