I do not like the term bullying when used in a workplace context, a more accurate term would be harassment as bullying is a term I relate to the school yard. However, Worksafe WA publications refer to the psychosocial behaviours as workplace bullying.

When we consider organisational behaviour factors such as power dynamics in the workplace, conflict and team dynamics – then we have a baseline to draw data from. We have a bunch of workers that have been inspired by a recalcitrant management that are supported by a number of cronies that have not met a competitive merit selection process.

In short, they are running a protection racket for a number of individuals that do meet requirements of a competent leadership team. They have been gaining all the benefits at the exclusion of the team, then there are the wannabe members who want to be part of the group. These wannabe recruits form the outer perimeter of the group running gossip and harassment activities in the hope of garnishing enough favours to work their way into the inner circle.

The manager wants to surround himself with individuals that are beholden to him, this is how he gains their support and loyalty. They know they are incompetent, they know they lack the required knowledge and skills, they know they can never be selected based on their own abilities, so they need an angle, and that angle is to undermine others to shore up the core of the group that supports their inclusion.

If this is starting to look like the initiation requirements of an outlaw bikie gang, then you would be right. There is the patch wearing members and their hierarchy, they pretty much pledge allegiance to the group with its formal rules. Then there are the nominees, these are the ones trying to get into the group, they are the ones that go out and bash people, commit crimes such as theft and sell drugs providing the standover and security requirements. Should they prove their loyalty to the gang, they may someday become a patch wearing gang member.

The dynamics of this group to a bikie gang are strikingly similar, this model that they have adapted. The five elements of group dynamics include structure, goals, interaction, interdependence and cohesiveness. The crony club has structure, there is the supreme leader and the two lieutenants, following up is the stream of wannabes who want to break into this group, this is the interaction factor. Whilst the main three stooges are well set, the goals are hazy – well, other than to enrich themselves.