New managerialism and the pervasive neoliberalisation of universities is by now a wellestablished phenomenon. Commentaries explore the political and economic drivers and effects of
neoliberal ideology, and critique the impact on higher education and academic work. The impact
on the health and well-being of academic staff has had less attention, and it is to that we turn in
this paper. Much academic interest in neoliberalism stems from the UK, Australia and the United
States. We draw particularly on studies of public Irish universities, where neoliberalism, now well
entrenched, but something of a late-comer to the new public management party, is making its presence
felt. This conceptual paper explores the concept of neoliberalism in higher education, arguing that the
policies and practices of new public management as exercised in universities are a form of bullying;
what we term institutional bullying. The authors are researchers of workplace culture, workplace
bullying and incivility. Irish universities are increasingly challenged in delivering the International
Labour Organisation (ILO) principles of decent work, i.e., dignity, equity, fair income and safe working
conditions. They have become exposed in terms of gender imbalance in senior positions, precariat
workforce, excessive workload and diminishing levels of control. Irish universities are suffering in
terms of both the health and well-being of staff and organisational vibrancy. The authors conclude
by cautioning against potential neoliberal intensification as universities grapple with the economic
fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper reviews neoliberalism in higher education and
concludes with insight as to how the current pandemic could act as a necessary catalyst to stem the
tide and ‘call out’ bullying at the institutional level.