HAPPY AT WORK
A bend in the road is not the end of the road
- unless you fail to make the turn
Drawing from extensive research and personal insight, Happy at Work transforms the latest research and lived experience into actionable strategies for confronting workplace abuse.
This essential handbook exposes the root causes of psychological abuse at work, while providing proven tools to combat it. Whether you’re experiencing workplace abuse or leading organisational change, you’ll discover concrete steps to create safer, more productive environments where employees can truly thrive.
Praised for its accessibility and candour, Happy at Work goes beyond simply identifying problems – it builds a comprehensive roadmap for both individual empowerment and systemic change. Learn how to recognise and understand psychological challenges in work settings, implement effective responses, and foster cultures of respect that increase well-being and productivity.
Sample Chapter
Read the first chapter of Happy at Work now!
Chapter Summary, Reading Guide & Discussion Questions
Here’s where you can find a chapter summary, synthesised reading guide and questions for discussion and reflection, based on the main themes in the book. Whatever your purpose in reading the book, whether or not you’re in a study group, the summary and guide are a great way to connect with the book and to enrich your experience with it.
BUZZ
“I think it’s a great book. …It was genuinely helpful for me to read. …I really wish this stuff was embedded in corporate culture …. It saddens me that psychological abuse in any context is made out to be a difficult topic or shameful topic to talk about. It is like mould - it thrives when kept in the dark and stillness, and dies when exposed to sun and air.”
– Leisha Browning, Higher Education and Health Care Sector Specialist
“As a collection of carefully curated case studies and personal insights, this is a wonderful piece of work, both sympathetic and nuanced.”
– Ken Yin, Lecturer Business and Law, Edith Cowan University
“…a very important book on workplace harassment.”
– Richard Heller, Emeritus Professor, Universities of Manchester, UK and Newcastle, Australia
“I really like this…Looking at it as a whole… describing the situation from a bird’s eye, it’s helpful and eye-opening... You do lose perspective a little when you are in it because it's harder to connect the dots and see the truth... On the ground it's messy and confusing but with perspective you see it for what it is.”
– Angela Jordan, Senior Specialist Curriculum Development
“This is an absorbing, practical book that offers invaluable insights. Written by someone who has personally experienced the challenges she discusses, the author combines legal, academic, and human perspectives to illuminate the causes and impacts of psychological harassment, while also offering a hopeful path forward for all of us. The author’s exploration of “perpetrators” through the lens of the Dark Tetrad resonated deeply with me. As I read certain passages aloud to my partner, they remarked, “Are you sure you weren’t a case study for this book?” This speaks to the book’s striking relevance. The discussion of bystanders is particularly poignant: “Theirs is the story of not wanting to see, not wanting to know, as they turn their backs on targets of abuse, and, perversely, even side with the bully, compounding the harm.” Moreover, this book serves as a timely reminder for employers and managers about the workplace cultures that enable and condone psychological harassment. It provides practical guidance for creating safer work environments and addresses a significant social issue that requires a collective response for any lasting change. If you’re seeking to understand the dynamics of workplace psychological harassment, feel less isolated in your experiences, and discover strategies for recovery and flourishing, this book is for you. Remember, you are not alone in this journey.”
– Academic, Bond University