Gendered Intent to Turnover Resulting from Workplace Bullying in Nursing and Medical Fields

Research shows that workplace bullying costs companies billions in lost productivity and unnecessary turnover. Scholars posited men and women respond differently to workplace bullying and that stress and education may contribute to that response calling for more research in this area. This study examines extent to which gender differences explain turnover intentions resulting from bullying and extent to which stress and education level may influence that relationship. Analyzed using lens of social exchange theory, this research provides an opportunity to examine negative interpersonal exchange. Research methodology is explanatory quantitative nonexperimental with ontology of objectivism and theoretical perspective of post-positivism. Nursing and medical fields were targeted population with sample size of 116 participants equally divided with 58 men and 58 women, all between 25 and 65 years of age who experienced workplace bullying at least six consecutive months during previous 36 months. Two online survey companies solicited participants within their pool of survey takers, administered questionnaire, and collected results. No statistically significant difference existed between men and women in their response to workplace bullying with intent to turnover. Additionally, no statistical significance existed between genders, intent to turnover, and moderating roles of stress or education level. Practical implications resulting from this research suggest universal workplace bullying policies should address needs and concerns of both genders in nursing and medical fields. To address unnecessary expenses associated with turnover resulting from workplace bullying, organizations must make hiring decisions and build training programs around early identification of workplace bullying in addition to policies that inhibit this negative social exchange. Future research should focus on one medical organization in one location, where policies and sub-cultures are similar and consider using qualitative methodology