Using the Cisneros Scale to Determine the Prevalence of Workplace Harassment or Mobbing in Workers

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this study was to establish the prevalence of mobbing in workers using the Cisneros scale. This observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study included 60 workers from public and private institutions, who voluntarily agreed to participate by filling out the provided questionnaire. The self-administered Cisneros scale comprises 43 items that assess psychological harassment behaviors. It was found that 18% of the workers had been victims of at least one form of workplace harassment or psychological mistreatment described in the Cisneros scale in the last six months, and no significant differences were seen in the harassment between men and women. Each behavior indicating harassment at work was analyzed both in the samples of harassed and non-harassed workers, and statistically significant differences were found between the two (p = 0.000). Overall, 46% of the workers reported that they were harassed at work by their bosses or supervisors and 35% by coworkers. Workplace harassment is an increasingly visible problem in our society; therefore, it is important to carry out studies concerning this problem to identify the degrees, levels, and forms that this practice adopts, as well as the establishment of laws and interpersonal and institutional norms to prevent this phenomenon.

Keywords

• harassment at work, workers, cisneros scale.