Dealing with Negative Staff Behavior: The Case of Lebanese Private School Principals

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the types of negative employee behaviors at the Lebanese private schools and to know how the principals handle these behaviors. Moreover, this study sought to determine the impact of the negative employee behavior on the schools' working environment and productivity. For this purpose, an extensive review of the literature of negative staff behavior was conducted which constituted the base for the generation of a survey instrument consisting of three sections: section A requested participants to identify the top 7 types of negative staff behavior at schools, section B requested respondents to determine the strategies and skills used by principals to handle the negative school staff, and section C requested them to determine the impact of negative staff behavior on the schools' environment and productivity. The questionnaire was sent to 60 private schools. The total sample consisted of 305 teachers. SPSS 21.0 was utilized to analyze data. The study ranks the top 7 negative personalities at schools. It shows a dark image about managing negative school staff behavior by school principals. Principals don't deal effectively with this behavior which affects the schools' working atmosphere and effectiveness. Limitations of the study are presented and recommendations for future research are suggested. The study offers recommendations to help principals enhance their knowledge, attitudes and practices about dealing with negative school staff behavior.