Plan of Problem Solving: Interventions for Organizational Culture Improvement

Plan of Problem Solving: Interventions for Organizational Culture Improvement

The proposed problem-solving plan stems from the most effective anti-bullying policies mentioned and described by HR professionals. As such, the plan introduces three steps of anti-bullying interventions. First of all, primary interventions would reduce the risk of future bullying cases by redesigning the work environment (Salin et al., 2020). However, since the problem scenario implies a significant spread of bullying among the teachers, it would be necessary to employ secondary interventions directed at perpetrators (Salin et al., 2020). Lastly, tertiary interventions would help reduce and heal the damage done to the victims (Salin et al., 2020). Overall, the ultimate goal lies in the creation of a complex and all-rounded system of interventions.

Primary interventions would include the best ways and practices of bullying prevention. Salin et al. (2020) conducted a survey among 214 HR professionals who shared their views on the most effective primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions. Based on this research, the principal could start with awareness-raising training. This training would make perpetrators fully aware of the negative impact left by their behavior and equip other teachers for timely intervention (Salin et al., 2020). In addition, the principal could adopt a clear code of ethical conduct and enforce it through their authority. Finally, the principal could show an example of good leadership by clearly expressing a non-passive anti-bullying stance. In the corporative sphere, the behavior of higher-level managers often affected that of lower-level colleagues (Salin et al., 2020). Therefore, if the principal expresses a zero-tolerance position towards unethical behavior in the workplace, this might cause a positive attitude shift among the teachers.

The previous step consisted of preventive measures aimed at the establishment of a bullying-free environment in the future. However, it would be necessary to implement specific policies dedicated to alleviating the current problems. These secondary interventions are vital for dealing with already manifesting cases (Salin et al., 2020). Salin et al. (2020) argued that fact finding, prompt action, and disciplinarian measures are the most important types of secondary interventions. Regarding the described problem scenario, the principal would start with an investigation of each suspected case to determine the level of bullying and possible actions towards the perpetrator. The confirmed cases of bullying would be stopped immediately in order to prove the principal’s dedication to the code of ethical conduct. After that, the perpetrator would have to face disciplinarian actions, varying from informal reconciliation with the victim to a formal reprimand, pay cut, and even dismissal in the most severe cases.

Finally, the principal would introduce tertiary interventions to assist victims of bullying. In the most extreme cases, the victims would be provided with therapy in order to heal the mental damage done by protracted bullying. This goal could be achieved by entering into an agreement with occupational health care services (Salin et al., 2020). In other cases, the principal would show that their door is always open for teachers who experience workplace bullying by encouraging them to talk as one colleague to another. Overall, a combination of primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions would curb existing bullying issues, help the victims, and prevent unethical behaviors from happening in the future.

Strengths of Proposed Plan

The primary strength of the proposed plan lies within the formal authority possessed by the principal. As such, they would be able to introduce new anti-bullying practices and enforce strict compliance with them. In addition, the plan is complex, as it covers both resolution of existing problems and their future prevention. Furthermore, the measures contained in the plan are versatile and well-proven in business, which makes them feasible for implementation in various settings and conditions.