The relationship between problem co-workers and quality work practices: a case study of exposure to sexual harassment, substance abuse, violence and job stress

The current study examined employees' exposure to re-worker behavioural problems (violence/hostility, sexual harassment and substance abuse) and organizational climate factors that support total quality management (TQM) work practices. Utilizing survey data from a municipal organization in the southwestern USA (II = 764), regression analyses (a) assessed whether exposure to problems was associated with climate (teamwork, customer oriental-ion, empowerment), and (b) compared problem co-workers with other job-stress indices (e.g. conflict, strain). Analyses controlled for personal (e.g. job commitment) and organizational factors. Relationships were found between employee emotional reactions to witnessing violence/harassment and both teamwork and empowerment. Job strain also correlated with empowerment. Results suggest that researchers may benefit from further study of co-worker exposure and from creating links between behavioural risk management and quality work practices.