 Home Health and Safety Health and Safety News
Bullying at work - TUC guide for safety reps
19 October 2007
The TUC has recently published new guidance for safety reps on bullying in the workplace.
Bullying and harassment is a major problem within many workplaces, however often it remains a hidden problem and can be accepted or even encouraged by the culture of an organisation.A large survey on bullying at work by the University of Manchester showed that:
- 1 in 10 workers had been bullied in the last 6 months
- 1 in 4 workers had been bullied in the last 5 years
- 47% of workers had witnessed bullying at work
Stress and ill health can become part of the daily life of those being bullied. Symptoms can include: anxiety, headaches, nausea, ulcers, sleeplessness, skin rashes, irritable bowel syndrome, high blood pressure, tearfulness, loss of self confidence, and depression. In addition employers pay a high price for failing to tackle bullying because of lost time by staff being affected by stress and ill health, lost incentives when morale is low and reduced work output and quality of service in organisations where bullying is endemic. Also workplaces with a culture of bullying are likely to have a much higher staff turnover.
The TUC guide explains why bullying is an important health and safety issue and gives advice on what the union can do about it. A useful survey form is also included.
Click here to see the TUC guide.
Contact Details
Health and Safety section
Ph: 0161 249 2441
Fax: 0161 249 2475
Email: healthandsafety@usdaw.org.uk
 Printer Friendly Page  Email to a Friend
|
