Amicus to spearhead anti-bullying campaign

The trade union Amicus will lead a £1.8 million government-backed drive as part of what is described as "the world's largest project" to stamp out bullying and discrimination at work, the DTI has announced today.

The project will provide support, advice and training to organisations trying to deal with bullying. Some of the measures to be used include: training employees as counsellors and investigators of bullying and harassment; devising and promoting a voluntary charter on 'dignity at work'; promoting examples of excellent employers in the UK and lessons to learn; and producing a 'ban bullying' pack.

Half the project's funding will come from the DTI's Strategic Partnership Fund, which helps strengthen employer-employee relationships and improve business performance.

Speaking at a conference in London organised by Stonewall, the gay equality organisation, Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt said: "We must tackle discrimination from the cradle to the grave. People's lives should not be made a misery by bigots fuelled by hate and ignorance.

"For too many people discrimination begins at school. And for many, the discrimination, harassment, victimization and violence that they experience at school is something they have to deal with through their whole lives - particularly in the workplace."

Chris Ball, National Secretary of Amicus, said that the best approach was for key players to work in partnership.

"I'm convinced we'll find very many employers willing to work with us to develop human respect and dignity as the appropriate denominator in all workplace relationships," he said.

The project has ten partners including British Aerospace, Royal Mail, Legal and General, and British Telecom, Remploy, and will be supported by government agencies such as Acas and the Health and Safety Executive.

The Department for Education and Skills is also addressing the issue of homophobic bullying in schools as part of its wider anti-bullying strategy.

Its anti-bullying Charter for Action has been sent to all maintained schools in England, summarising effective practice in tackling all forms of bullying including homophobic bullying.

(gmcg)