This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Special
report
■ W orkplace bullying
Words by Paul Routledge
t can be entertaining when job the Samaritans found that bullying is There is no simple legal defi nition
I
applicants feel the rough edge endemic in UK workplaces, affecting of workplace bullying, but if you
of Sir Alan Sugar’s tongue in his an astonishing 80% of employees. genuinely feel that you are being
television show, The Apprentice. The charity found that a third of singled out for unfair treatment
We all laugh when they get their victims were so unhappy they had by a boss or colleague, then you’re
come-uppance. But it’s not so funny considered leaving their job. These probably being bullied. Bullying
when it happens for real. fi nding are backed up by a TUC survey, behaviour comes in many forms,
Employers, managers, even which revealed that 2m people had including corporate bullying like
workmates all too often make life hard been bullied at work over a six-month the treatment meted out to AA staff
for workers who are simply getting period. This is the workplace crime that when the motoring organisation was
on with the job. Bullying at work can dare not speak its name, because it’s so taken over by private equity fi rm
make your life a misery. It can affect rarely made public. Permira (see page 16).
you regardless of age or gender or race The bullies shouldn’t be allowed But mostly it’s one-on-one actions,
or sexual orientation or ability. In one to get away with their intolerable which include:
way, bullies don’t discriminate – they behaviour – and with GMB on your ■ Shouting at staff
can pick on anyone. side, they certainly won’t! ■ Persistently picking on people in
The symptoms of stress and
ill-health, often caused by bullying,
are only too recognisable: anxiety,
headaches, nausea, diffi culty
Recent research found
n
sleeping, skin rashes, high
pso
that bullying is endemic
i
m blood pressure, tearfulness,

S
loss of self-confi dence
in UK workplaces,
d
a
m
and depression.
affecting an astonishing
n
:

A
And workplace
80% of employees.
r
a
t
i
o
intimidation is unbelievably
If you are affected by workplace
I
l
l
u
st
widespread. Research by bullying, contact GMB now!
16 www.gmb.org.uk
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