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One in Three Are Bullied At Work

New research by the University of Portsmouth Business School reveals that more than a third of public sector workers have experienced bullying in the last six months - double the number recorded in 1997.

The research, conducted on behalf of UNISON, the UK's largest public service union, was carried out by Professor of Human Resource Management Charlotte Rayner.

Figures show that more than a third of the 7,000 workers who took part in the UNISON survey have experienced bullying, 80 per cent of victims say it has affected their physical and mental health and a third took time off work, or left their jobs as a result.

Rudeness, criticism, excessive work monitoring, intimidation, exclusion and withholding information are among the top behaviours listed.

Professor Rayner said: "Bullied employees suffer stress and anxiety which will in turn lead to absence - at great cost to organisations.

"Workers don't want to speak up because they are afraid of being seen as oversensitive or labelled a troublemaker. They are also fearful of losing their jobs and struggling to find another in the gloomy economic climate."

UNISON is bringing the problem of workplace bullying to the forefront by launching a Bully Busters campaign after the new statistics have revealed such a high number of victims.

The Bully Busters campaign is calling for the government to revise the current Dignity in the Workplace bill to include an anti-bullying policy, which is enforced by employers.

Around 80 per cent of respondents are demanding that bullying legislation is put in place, to make it as serious as harassment.

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.

"We will continue to campaign for specific legislation, which will outlaw workplace bullying, ensure employers develop anti-bullying policies and aid bullied workers through Employment Tribunals. 

"The Health and Safety Executive should take more enforcement action against employers that do not include bullying in their risk assessments.

"We hope that the Bully Busters campaign will help employers start to make a stand against bullies, or face losing more staff, money and morale."

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