Are you addressing workplace bullying?

Anti Bullying Week is 14th to 18th November 2016. The theme this year is 'Power For Good'. This is your opportunity to review your commitment to anti bullying in the workplace and make positive change.

According to study carried out by YouGov for the TUC in 2015, nearly a third of people have been bullied in the workplace. Shockingly the biggest age group who experience bullying is 40 to 59 year olds. Even more frightening is the fact that 72 per cent of cases state that a manager is responsible for the bullying and that 36 per centof people leave their jobs because of it.

Bullying at work can come in many forms, sexual harassment, the side effect of an over competitive environment and poor working relationships to name buy a few. According to ACAS, 2013, workplace bullying is defined as "Offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means that undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the recipient."

Workplace bullying effects performance levels and has a detrimental affect on both mental health and sense of well-being. The psychological affects of bullying do not stop when a victim goes home from work. Victims report experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, shame, guilt and a sense of injustice (Workplace Bullying Institute, 2016).

Tackling workplace bullying should be of paramount importance to employers and this year's theme is 'Power For Good'. This may be through addressing in-house cultures, implementing strict policies, formalising commitment against bullying and encouraging disclosure from victims. For more information on addressing workplace bullying download ACAS's employers guide to 'Bullying and Harassment At Work - a managers and employers guide' by visiting http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=794