Creating a safe haven: unlocking the path to address exposure to workplace bullying through ethical leadership and ethical climate

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the impact of ethical leadership as a management style for addressing exposure to workplace bullying (EWPB), along with the mediating role of ethical climate. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional quantitative research approach was used. Data were collected using a structured survey from 269 frontline health-care employees in Pakistan’s health-care sector. Covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) was used to examine the research hypotheses by using the SPSS and AMOS software. Findings Ethical leadership has a positive impact on an organization’s ethical climate. Furthermore, ethical leadership demonstrated a negative association with EWPB, while ethical climate was inversely related to EWPB. Research limitations/implications Although study provides valuable insights, it is important to acknowledge its limitations. The data were collected from employees in the Pakistani health-care sector, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Future research should consider diverse industries and geographical locations to broaden the understanding of workplace bullying and ethical leadership. Practical implications The findings of this study have practical implications for organizations seeking to address EWPB. By fostering an ethical climate through ethical leadership, organizations can create a safe haven where employees feel comfortable reporting bullying incidents without facing undue pressure. Social implications Addressing EWPB has significant social implications. By promoting ethical leadership and fostering an ethical climate, organizations can contribute to the overall well-being and psychological safety of employees. In turn, this can lead to healthier work environments and improved employee morale. Originality/value This study contributes to scholarly literature by presenting a novel model that integrates ethical leadership and ethical climate to manage EWPB, especially in emerging contexts. Moreover, by exploring the role of ethical leadership as a management style, this study enhances our understanding of the EWPB and provides practical insights for organizations.