Abusive supervision: a framework of developmental solutions to this workplace menace

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to offer a preventive framework that will neutralize the pernicious effects of abusive supervision in organizations. Design/methodology/approach Based on the extant literature, the study takes an exploratory viewpoint of the harmful effects of abusive supervision on subordinates and offers intervention strategies that will provide both preemptive measures and reactive recourse for the victim. Findings As abusive supervision cannot be completely eradicated from workplace, the study offers a preventive framework (based on the stress and health management models of Parkes and Sparkes, 1998; Quick, 1999) that will counter abusive supervision at different points in time and through different interventions (psychosocial and socio-technical). Originality/value The paper is the first of its kind as it offers a comprehensive solution (both proactive and reactive) to the problems associated with abusive supervision. Previous studies have purely focused on various coping mechanisms for the victim.