The HR Dept and Family Lives say STOP to workplace bullying

 

Employment specialist The HR Dept has joined forces with charity Family Lives to provide a guide for employers and employees on managing workplace bullying. The guide is being launched to support the campaign for the 10th anniversary of Anti Bullying Week in November 2012 with the theme being ‘we’re better without bullying’.

Anti Bullying Week is usually focused on bullying in the playground and workplace bullying is often overlooked. This is why The HR Dept and Family Lives have put together the guide for employers and employees to help foster a culture free of workplace bullying.

Simon Morgan, Director of The HR Dept [South East London and North Kent] says: “Workplace bullying is a horrible everyday occurrence for many people. Combating it needs to be a combined effort by both employer and employee.

Like all HR issues, commitment to changing attitudes and behaviour needs to come from the top. Employers should set an example to their staff and make it clear that all complaints will be taken seriously. Employees also need to be honest about their behaviour and take responsibility. Clearly there is much work to be done as many victims of bullying do not report their experiences due to fear that they will lose their job”.

Recent research has found that 30% of UK workers claim that they are currently experiencing bullying in the office. Getting blamed for mistakes they didn’t make and being constantly criticised were cited as the most common experiences.

Employees must feel able to speak up about workplace bullying confident that action will be taken.

Jeremy Todd of Family Lives comments: “Bullying in the workplace can be a very devastating and distressing issue that impacts the whole family. Workplace bullying can take any shape or form - and some people may be questioning whether what they are going through is workplace bullying. Anyone with concerns about bullying, in all its forms can contact Family Lives via its website www.bullying.co.uk or ring its helpline on 0808 800 2222. Their services are free and confidential.”

The guide can be accessed on both the Family Lives and The HR Dept website: http://www.hrdept.co.uk/features/2012/10/26/guide-handling-workplace-bullying

The HR Dept specialises in advising small and medium sized business on all employment issues.

www.hrdept.co.uk