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07/11/2005
Two million people ‘bullied at work,' say TUC
Around two million people claim to have been bullied at work in the past six months, the Trade Union Congress has revealed.
The TUC estimated that around 18 million working days are lost each year because of bullying. The union said that many victims of workplace bullying had their confidence undermined to the extent that they felt unable to do their jobs. Many felt they had no option other than to take sick leave, while others were forced to seek alternative employment.
According to a recent TUC survey, involving 5,000 employees, in three quarters of bullying incidents, the perpetrator was a manager or supervisor. However, a joint survey by Unison and Acas found that managers were often victims of bullying themselves, with 49% of middle managers interviewed claiming to have been bullied.
The figures have been revealed to coincide with Ban Bullying at Work Day, organised by the Andrea Adams Trust, a charity, which provides help and support to those who have suffered bullying in the workplace.
The TUC has called for new legislation, outlawing bullying at work, to be introduced. TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: “These figures suggest that there can be few workplaces in the UK without a resident bully. But although bullying can destroy lives and have a damaging effect upon workplace morale, the overwhelming majority of employers seem unable to stop bullies in their tracks.
“Employers should be tackling bullying, just as they would treat any other workplace hazard. All workplaces, whatever their size, should have a policy, which states that harassment and intimidation is unacceptable and that those who delight in the victimisation of others will be treated severely.
“The victims of bullying need to be listened to and supported, not dismissed as workplace wimps.”
Conciliatory service Acas has launched a free online learning course to help employers understand and prevent bullying in the workplace, to coincide with Ban Bullying at Work day.
The course shows employers how to recognise and deal with bullying, as well as harassment, and provides practice advice on the best way to develop clear and accessible policies.
(KMcA/SP)
The TUC estimated that around 18 million working days are lost each year because of bullying. The union said that many victims of workplace bullying had their confidence undermined to the extent that they felt unable to do their jobs. Many felt they had no option other than to take sick leave, while others were forced to seek alternative employment.
According to a recent TUC survey, involving 5,000 employees, in three quarters of bullying incidents, the perpetrator was a manager or supervisor. However, a joint survey by Unison and Acas found that managers were often victims of bullying themselves, with 49% of middle managers interviewed claiming to have been bullied.
The figures have been revealed to coincide with Ban Bullying at Work Day, organised by the Andrea Adams Trust, a charity, which provides help and support to those who have suffered bullying in the workplace.
The TUC has called for new legislation, outlawing bullying at work, to be introduced. TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: “These figures suggest that there can be few workplaces in the UK without a resident bully. But although bullying can destroy lives and have a damaging effect upon workplace morale, the overwhelming majority of employers seem unable to stop bullies in their tracks.
“Employers should be tackling bullying, just as they would treat any other workplace hazard. All workplaces, whatever their size, should have a policy, which states that harassment and intimidation is unacceptable and that those who delight in the victimisation of others will be treated severely.
“The victims of bullying need to be listened to and supported, not dismissed as workplace wimps.”
Conciliatory service Acas has launched a free online learning course to help employers understand and prevent bullying in the workplace, to coincide with Ban Bullying at Work day.
The course shows employers how to recognise and deal with bullying, as well as harassment, and provides practice advice on the best way to develop clear and accessible policies.
(KMcA/SP)
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