Workplace Bullying in '9 to 5': A Case Study Analysis of Management

This case study examines the theme of workplace bullying through the lens of the movie '9 to 5', highlighting the mistreatment of female subordinates by their sexist boss, Franklin Hart. The analysis focuses on the dissatisfactory behavior leading to a 'workplace bullying situation' and the reactions of the three women, Judy, Doralee, and Violet, who experience mistreatment and exploitation. The study explores potential solutions, including seeking help from higher authorities, supporting colleagues, and, as a last resort, forming a union to protest against the organization. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of addressing workplace bullying to ensure a healthy working environment and smooth organizational functioning. Desklib is a valuable resource for students seeking similar case studies and solved assignments.

Running Head: Mental Health in the Work place 0
Workplace Bullying Situation
MAY 30, 2018

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INTRODUCTION
Workplace bullying situation refers to the verbal, social, physical or psychological
misconduct by the manager, or any person in the organisation. It can be in the form of hurtful
remarks, exclusion, or sexual harassment leading to low morale among employees, decrease
in productivity, stress whereas transfer, demotion, retrenchment is not considered as
workplace bullying (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2018).
WORKPLACE BULLYING SITUATION
Workplace bullying is one of the major problem in every organisation and to create
awareness so that people or employees know how to deal with such problems or conflicts. It
has been exemplified by the movie “9 to 5”, which is an American comedy film, directed by
Colin Higgins. The movie highlights the issue “Workplace bullying situation” representing
the story of three women fighting back against their sexist, hypocritical and deceptive boss
(Rolling Stone, 2018).
Franklin Hart who plays a dominant role, exerts control, molests the female
subordinates in the organisation and uses Violet’s ideas takes credit, threatens and behaves
badly with Judy on her first day after an equipment impairment; and sexually harasses,
Doralee (secretary) spreading rumours about an affair that never happened.
Q1. The dissatisfactory behaviour of the boss towards the female subordinates
working in the organisation compelled them to take charge of the business, which
disorganized the functioning of the organisation thus, making it a “workplace bullying
situation”.

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Q2. Bullying to the three women, dramatized by Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton and Lily
Tomlin as Judy, Doralee and Violet respectively felt mistreated and exploited, and they
started behaving aggressively towards their boss (Common Sense Media, 2018).
Q3.They reacted brutally and used whimsical methods to teach a lesson, kidnaped him
after an outrageous behaviour by running the business themselves, changing several things
flexible working hours, day-care centre.
Q4. As per the storyline, the movie represents male chauvinist boss, who bullies and
has no respect for the women who work for him. Hart purposefully lies that his secretary
sleeps with him (Staley, 2017).
Q5. I would first try to seek help of higher authorities to overcome this situation, and if
this does not help then, changing the style of working with him would be the next best
alternative.
Q6. Supporting the person or the colleague, suffering from such a trouble, taking
action in respect of the bully would help.
Q7. As if the manager, witnessing the situation first role is to warn the person once or
twice and then terminate the employee if it does not work.
Q8. Under the circumstances, when the bullying situation is not taken seriously,
forming a union protesting against the organisation can resolve the conflict.
Q9. After observing the victim, helping in a way that would make them realise what is
controllable and uncontrollable, advising the person to keep a documentation of the incidents
date, time and witness would be the final resort to the problem (Forbes, 2015).

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CONCLUSION
To conclude the above discussion, it can be stated that Workplace bullying is a matter
of concern which needs to be resolved for the organisational efficiency. The movie
represented a scenario which highlights big organisations and people protesting against such
problems as it is a negative aspect for an employee to work with the full potential, therefore
must be eradicated to ensure healthy working environment and to ensure smooth functioning
of organisation.

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REFERENCES
Australian Human Rights Commission. (2018). Workplace bullying: Violence, Harassment,
and Bullying Fact Sheet. Retrieved from:
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/workplace-bullying-violence-harassment-and-
bullying-fact-sheet
Common sense media. (2018). Nine to Five (9 to 5). Retrieved from:
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/nine-to-five-9-to-5
Forbes. (2015). How to deal with a Workplace bully: Advice for Victims, Bosses, and Co-
worker. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/amymorin/2015/08/21/how-to-
deal-with-a-workplace-bully-advice-for-victims-bosses-and-co-workers/
#41ca23b15f0b
Rolling Stone. (2018). ‘9 to 5’ Turns 35, and It’s still radical today. Retrieved from:
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/9-to-5-turns-35-and-its-still-radical-
today-20151218
Staley, O. (2017). The screenwriter of the 1980 hit film “9 to 5” says we’re finally facing
reality now. Retrieved from: https://work.qz.com/1150399/a-lot-has-changed-for-
working-women-since-1980s-9-to-5-even-more-hasnt/