About the process
Generally speaking, the interventions had a particularly significant impact on the interpersonal relationships between the officers and their superiors in the pilot facilities, whereas in the control facilities, i.e. those where no interventions were carried out, no significant change took place in this regard. A major improvement was also observed in the pilot facilities in the social support offered by individuals in positions of authority, as was a significant decline in psychological harassment and intimidation by superiors.
In terms of peer relationships, the project was seen to have a major positive impact on the social support received and there was a not-insignificant drop in violence, particularly in terms of intimidation. By contrast, in the control facilities, the only significant change observed was a drop in psychological harassment.
Over and above the impact on the indicators, one of the most important results of the project was the introduction of a new dynamic and of more-democratic practices that allowed the workers to express their viewpoints more freely and openly.
This study, which was based on participation and parity, also reveals the importance, for employees, of introducing more democratic processes within organizations and work groups.
In particular, this democratization promotes a degree of worker re-empowerment as well as management-practice adjustments that are needed both to provide clearer guidelines for work performance and foster greater respect for the organization’s values (especially those concerning interpersonal relationships). These values can then be more readily shared by the various stakeholders (management and workers).
Worker participation in the processes under way and in the making of changes is crucial in this violence prevention process.
Partnership offers many benefits that take concrete form at the individual, group, and organizational levels.
Partnerships are forged gradually and create a new dynamic in the workplace: openness to dialogue, creation of opportunities for exchange and discussion (forums for speaking and listening), and a progression in the dialogue.
The main positive effects can be summarized as a shift from a confrontation dynamic to a cooperation dynamic.