4 The Workplace
-
Jack Levin
Abstract
This chapter examines the many layers, motivations, and outcomes that represent covert violence in the U.S. workplace. Although these acts seem to occur less frequently in this social institution compared to others, the connections to powerlessness are even clearer. This is largely because power itself tends to be distributed more explicitly in the workplace, particularly via overt hierarchies that delineate salaries, prestige, and autonomy in ways that have important implications for workers’ lives. Disgruntled employees usually lack enough clout to retaliate directly against an offensive co-worker or boss without seriously harming themselves, yet covert violence offers opportunities for the revenge they seek with far less risk of being harmed or hassled—or even detected at all. Indeed, some acts of covert crime in the workplace are so well planned and executed that it is never absolutely clear that they were intentionally committed at all. Included are examples of workers who have targeted bosses, rival co-workers, customers, and even the company itself.
Abstract
This chapter examines the many layers, motivations, and outcomes that represent covert violence in the U.S. workplace. Although these acts seem to occur less frequently in this social institution compared to others, the connections to powerlessness are even clearer. This is largely because power itself tends to be distributed more explicitly in the workplace, particularly via overt hierarchies that delineate salaries, prestige, and autonomy in ways that have important implications for workers’ lives. Disgruntled employees usually lack enough clout to retaliate directly against an offensive co-worker or boss without seriously harming themselves, yet covert violence offers opportunities for the revenge they seek with far less risk of being harmed or hassled—or even detected at all. Indeed, some acts of covert crime in the workplace are so well planned and executed that it is never absolutely clear that they were intentionally committed at all. Included are examples of workers who have targeted bosses, rival co-workers, customers, and even the company itself.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of Figures and Tables iv
- About the Authors v
- Acknowledgments vii
- An Introduction to Covert Violence, Power, and Social Institutions 1
- Family and Close Relationships 22
- Formal Education 47
- The Workplace 62
- Politics and Government 74
- Healthcare 90
- Mass Media 104
- Shining Light on the Shadows 116
- Case Summaries 131
- Index 148
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of Figures and Tables iv
- About the Authors v
- Acknowledgments vii
- An Introduction to Covert Violence, Power, and Social Institutions 1
- Family and Close Relationships 22
- Formal Education 47
- The Workplace 62
- Politics and Government 74
- Healthcare 90
- Mass Media 104
- Shining Light on the Shadows 116
- Case Summaries 131
- Index 148
