Study of Descriptive Determinants of Moral Harassment at Work in a Factory in Senegal

Abstract

Introduction: Globalization and the attendant contemporary system of work organization, industrial competitiveness and workplace hostility could be a source of stress. Behaviors considered to be hostile tend to constitute the foundation on which moral harassment at work rests and contributes significantly to work place mental health. Methodology: We conducted a quantitative, cross sectional descriptive study between April 1 and June 30, 2018 at the Grands Moulins de Dakar “GMD”. We used a questionnaire containing the socio-demographic data to which we added the Masson Meret and Steiner questionnaire called, “Ambiance in professional environment”. We used the Epi info software for data entry and analysis. Results: Sample population was 100 subjects with average age of 42.18 years ± 7.6, a male predominance of 91% and average length of service in the company was 15.27 years ± 10.1. Hostile behavior was more frequently reported than stress, with 49% and 28% respectively. Among the hostile behavior we found criticism in the professional field in 35% of the cases and rumors mongering was observed in 25% of the cases. The most reported stress symptom was general fatigue (45%), hostile behavior was more common in males (40 - 49 years of age and those with more than 10 dependents). Of the officers who felt generally unwell, 78.9% were victims of hostile behavior. Conclusion: Hostile behavior forms the basis of moral harassment at work and their devious nature makes them difficult to detect, this contrasts with its harmful consequences on the health of the staff. Potentially harmful workplace stress has become more frequently encountered in the contemporary workplace and has constituted an occupational hazard. The most common symptoms reported are feeling unwell and general fatigue.