A recent Unison study regarding intimidation by co-workers has revealed the grim scenario in workplaces across
The study was done with a sample of 7,000 workers, out of which close to 33% percent said that they have been intimidated in the past six months. This intimidating behaviour includes disrespect, constant censure, denial of access to information and excess supervising of work. More than four fifth of the intimidated workers also felt that constant intimidation has affected their health, and 33% of them actually left work, permanently or temporarily, in order to avoid being intimidated by other workers.
The worse thing is that most of the victims believe no action will be taken even if they inform their bosses, and thus they suffer in silence.
Unison General Secretary Dave Prentis has severely criticised such behaviour and has outlined the steps needed to be taken to remedy matters. He said that the percentage of bullied victims has doubled up alarmingly in a decade. He emphasized that every worker needs to be respected while trying to earn his living, and reported that the British economy is suffering as 13.7 million working days are wasted every year because workers take leave due to harassment by their colleagues and seniors.
Unison will be pressurising the government to protect such victims through laws and Employment Tribunals. According to Prentis, even HSE can play a great role by obligating the employers to include bullying by colleagues in their risk assessment.
All organisations need to make appropriate efforts to protect the well-being of staff, click CIPD for courses by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development which impart training to managers to successfully manage appropriate policies and procedures and improve upon management skills to help tackle bullying and stress in the workplace.
