Relationship between organizational climate and workplace violence in public university officials

Abstract

Introduction: Work environment isaffected by psychological harassment in the workplace. However, there are few studies on the relationship between workplace climate and violence in the university context. Objective: To analyze the relationship between workplace climate and violence in public university employees. Materials and Methods: A descriptive correlational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted with 410 workers. The Work Climate Questionnaire of the Administrative Department of Public Service of Colombia and the Inventory of Violence and Psychological Harassment at Work were used. Results: It was found that there is a negative relationship between climate and violence in the workplace (r = -0.441, p <0.005), in which two close associations are highlighted: (i) the dimension of work performance obstacles and the leadership style; and (ii) human talent management and general climate. Conclusions: The presence of workplace violence is related to low levels of a favorable work environment and vice versa. The characteristic behaviors of the dimension world performance obstacles and those related to the variable manipulation to induce punishment are the ones that contribute the most to this unfavorable association. This type of violence, without proper intervention, can become psychological harassment at work.