Designating today as National Ban Bullying at Work Day, the TUC published figures that suggest around two million people have been bullied at work in the past six months.
The victims of bullying often have their confidence undermined to such an extent that they no longer feel able to do their jobs. Many feel they have no option but to go off sick, while others are forced to find alternative employment.
A recent TUC survey of over 5,000 employees revealed that in three quarters of bullying incidents, the perpetrator had been a manager or supervisor. But managers themselves are often bullied in turn by their bosses.
A separate UNISON / Acas survey found that 49% of middle managers have fallen victim at some point.
“These figures suggest that there can be few workplaces in the UK without a resident bully,” said TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber. “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.”
He called on employers to treat bullying as they would any other workplace hazard, and develop policies to prevent it from occurring.
“Ban Bullying at Work Day is a good way of drawing attention to the workplace problem which forces many of its victims to suffer in silence,” he said. “A new dignity at work bill, which outlaws bullying at work, would help employers better get to grips with this ugly phenomenon of 21st century Britain at work.”
Separately, Acas, has launched a free online learning course to help employers understand and prevent bullying in the workplace.
