Equal Opportunities

Workplace Bullying

Workplace bullying is responsible for the loss of 18 million working days per year in the UK. Therefore it is in the interests of both staff and management to act against it.

Although bullying can affect workers and managers, most bullying is committed by managers. People in the post and telecommunications industries are amongst the highest affected by bullying. The effects of bullying include:

Even those who have witnessed bullying at work are also likely to have poorer health and low morale.

Employers have a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees. If they do not do this they are breaching an individual's contract of employment. It may also be a breach of sexual harassment and racial discrimination legislation.

Although there are many reasons people are subjected to bullying, it is never acceptable. We will treat any instance of bullying seriously. Contact a Branch Officer or the branch Equality Officer and tell them in confidence what has happened. This does not mean that a formal complaint will be made, but they will help you with a formal complaint if it becomes necessary.