Paradoxes of Restorative Justice in the Workplace

Abstract

Proponents of restorative justice argue that restorative practices are more effective than legalistic practices at addressing detrimental personal and relational outcomes of hurtful behavior. Following this thinking, researchers have argued that restorative justice offers the promise of constructive outcomes in the workplace as well. Yet, when adapted into workplace policies and norms, the potential exists for the use of restorative practices paradoxically to reinforce legalistic organizing structures and practices. Based on interviews with employees at an organization that codified and promoted restorative practices, this study identifies several paradoxes that can occur when engaging in restorative practices within a traditional, bureaucratic organizational structure. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of these paradoxes for the understanding and practice of restorative justice in the workplace.