November 10, 2009

Instances of workplace bullying double - UK

New statistics have revealed a record number of British workers have been bullied in the last six months.

Figures from the union Unison show that more than a third of the 7,000 workers who took part in a survey have experienced bullying over the last half a year, double the number recorded in 1997.

Among the top complaints were rudeness, criticism, excessive work monitoring, intimidation, exclusion and withholding information.

Of those questioned, 80 per cent said the abuse had affected their physical and mental health and a third had decided to take time off, or even left their jobs as a result.

Dave Prentis, Unison's general secretary, said: "The fact that bullying has doubled in the past decade is shocking.

"Workers have the right to earn a decent living in a safe environment. They need to be treated with respect and not forced to take time off work because bullying has made them ill.

"Only last week figures showed that 13.7 million working days are lost every year as a result of stress and depression in the workplace.

"It makes sound moral and financial sense to look after your workforce."

Mr Prentis said the union would continue with its calls for the government to revise the current dignity in the workplace bill to include an anti-bullying policy.

Today's research also coincides with Ban Bullying at Work Day as the union tries to encourage employers and employees to make a stand against bullies.

From: http://www.inthenews.co.uk

Also: http://www.kcj.co.uk/legal-industry-news

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

How can we support Dave Prentis in the call for an anti-bullying policy within the dignity at work bill - although my uni was supported by the local UCU branch in dismantling its dignity at work policy and the local branch were not bothered about anti-bullying week they had other less threatening things on their minds.... Aphra Behn

Anonymous said...

I was bullied out of my job by a manager who hates Christians. The University supported her over me because they wanted to avoid bad publicity. Their policies on bullying were meaningless and they didn't follow their own procedures. I know of 13 other people who have left due to bullys at the University. My advice to anyone in UK HE who is getting bullied- DON'T GO TO HR UNLESS YOU ARE A MANAGER- either leave or get a good lawyer.