Bullying in the workplace could increase because of the credit crunch, it has been warned.
Bullying in the workplace could increase because of the credit crunch, it has been warned.
Experts at the Centre for Research on Workplace Behaviours at the University of Glamorgan said job insecurity fears could lead to more bullying.
Experts at the Centre for Research on Workplace Behaviours at the University of Glamorgan said job insecurity fears could lead to more bullying.
The warning comes on Ban Bullying Day at Work and as the new research centre is launched.
The warning comes on Ban Bullying Day at Work and as the new research centre is launched.
It is feared people will be less likely to complain of bullying because of concerns they could lose their job.
It is feared people will be less likely to complain of bullying because of concerns they could lose their job.
The research centre at the university, in Treforest near Pontypridd in south Wales, plans to look at the causes and effects of workplace bullying.
The research centre at the university, in Treforest near Pontypridd in south Wales, plans to look at the causes and effects of workplace bullying.
Centre co-director Professor Michael Sheehan said he expected the economic crisis to cause more bullying at work.
Centre co-director Professor Michael Sheehan said he expected the economic crisis to cause more bullying at work.
"I would certainly say [I would expect to see] a significant increase in behaviour like bullying and harassment," said Mr Sheehan.
"I would certainly say [I would expect to see] a significant increase in behaviour like bullying and harassment," said Mr Sheehan.
"At times of organisational change when it needs to be done quite rapidly, people will adopt whatever means to achieve an end.
"At times of organisational change when it needs to be done quite rapidly, people will adopt whatever means to achieve an end.
The more job insecurity there is, the more bullying that will come out Lyn Witheridge, The Andrea Adams Trust
The more job insecurity there is, the more bullying that will come out Lyn Witheridge, The Andrea Adams Trust
"A manager might say 'we need to put in more effort at this time' and they will use phrases like 'just look at the dole queues".
"A manager might say 'we need to put in more effort at this time' and they will use phrases like 'just look at the dole queues".
"They will use those subtle type of threats."
"They will use those subtle type of threats."
The Andrea Adams Trust, which raises awareness about workplace bullying and is leading the Ban Bullying at Work Day, estimated that at least one in four people would be bullied during their working lives.
The Andrea Adams Trust, which raises awareness about workplace bullying and is leading the Ban Bullying at Work Day, estimated that at least one in four people would be bullied during their working lives.
Lyn Witheridge, chief executive and founder of the trust, is concerned how the current economic situation will affect relations in the workplace.
Lyn Witheridge, chief executive and founder of the trust, is concerned how the current economic situation will affect relations in the workplace.
"It's a horrendous situation at the moment," she said.
"It's a horrendous situation at the moment," she said.
"Bullies will target those that are a threat to them in some way and they will use their power to remove the threat to them.
"Bullies will target those that are a threat to them in some way and they will use their power to remove the threat to them.
"The more job insecurity there is, the more bullying that will come out."
"The more job insecurity there is, the more bullying that will come out."
Wales TUC general secretary Martin Mansfield said economic uncertainty could also make people less likely to complain about a manager if they feared for their job.
Wales TUC general secretary Martin Mansfield said economic uncertainty could also make people less likely to complain about a manager if they feared for their job.
"However, workplace bullying is a complex issue and no one factor causes bullying and no one type of person is a bully," he said.
"However, workplace bullying is a complex issue and no one factor causes bullying and no one type of person is a bully," he said.
'Ignoring people'
'Ignoring people'
"It must be recognised that bullying is not just a question of an individual picking on someone weaker or more vulnerable than them.
"It must be recognised that bullying is not just a question of an individual picking on someone weaker or more vulnerable than them.
"Often it is a symptom of the culture within the organisation."
"Often it is a symptom of the culture within the organisation."
He added that in this year's survey of TUC safety representatives, bullying overtook long hours as the fourth most identified factor causing stress.
He added that in this year's survey of TUC safety representatives, bullying overtook long hours as the fourth most identified factor causing stress.
Mr Sheehan said he hoped the work of the research centre, part of the University of Glamorgan's business school, would improve relationships in the workplace.
Mr Sheehan said he hoped the work of the research centre, part of the University of Glamorgan's business school, would improve relationships in the workplace.
"What we try to do is research in the companies themselves," he said.
"What we try to do is research in the companies themselves," he said.
"We did one with a public sector organisation in Wales just recently which did show that mostly it was a good place to work but with some bullying.
"We did one with a public sector organisation in Wales just recently which did show that mostly it was a good place to work but with some bullying.
"But most of that bullying was coming from the clients."
"But most of that bullying was coming from the clients."
Bullying at work At least one in four people will be bullied at some point during their working lives40% of UK organisations do not have an effective policy on bullyingEvery year 18.9m working days are lost to industry as a direct result of workplace bullyingWorkplace bullying costs the UK economy £6bn every year93.1% of personnel staff say that bullying is happening in their own organisationsSource: The Andrea Adams Trust
Bullying at work At least one in four people will be bullied at some point during their working lives40% of UK organisations do not have an effective policy on bullyingEvery year 18.9m working days are lost to industry as a direct result of workplace bullyingWorkplace bullying costs the UK economy £6bn every year93.1% of personnel staff say that bullying is happening in their own organisationsSource: The Andrea Adams Trust
He said bullying could take many forms, although it was mostly "downwards", carried out by managers and supervisors on more junior staff.
He said bullying could take many forms, although it was mostly "downwards", carried out by managers and supervisors on more junior staff.
"[There are] all sorts of things from yelling and screaming to finger pointing to thumping the desk, ignoring people and not asking them to meetings or denying them holiday leave," he said.
"[There are] all sorts of things from yelling and screaming to finger pointing to thumping the desk, ignoring people and not asking them to meetings or denying them holiday leave," he said.
Methods of bullying vary between men and women but Mr Sheehan said the patterns were established in the playground.
Methods of bullying vary between men and women but Mr Sheehan said the patterns were established in the playground.
"Men are more in your face shouting, yelling, screaming, finger pointing, some pushing.
"Men are more in your face shouting, yelling, screaming, finger pointing, some pushing.
"With women it's more subtle like excluding [people]. Don't invite them to a party or a sleepover and it's very similar in the workplace."
"With women it's more subtle like excluding [people]. Don't invite them to a party or a sleepover and it's very similar in the workplace."
Have you experienced bullying in the workplace? Has the situation got worse since the economic downturn? Do you feel able to complain about the situation?
Here are a selection of your experiences.
I have worked a company in which bullying by the senior directors and line managers has been the norm. The company was a small law firm who were fully aware of the bullying taking place but chose to ignore it. I was forced into taken action as other colleagues who were also being bullied would not. Despite going through a grievance process the situation was left unresolved and I resigned shortly thereafter.
I have worked a company in which bullying by the senior directors and line managers has been the norm. The company was a small law firm who were fully aware of the bullying taking place but chose to ignore it. I was forced into taken action as other colleagues who were also being bullied would not. Despite going through a grievance process the situation was left unresolved and I resigned shortly thereafter.
This did make the company look at the situation and the senior director was eventually ousted - too little too late for me though...
This did make the company look at the situation and the senior director was eventually ousted - too little too late for me though...
Anon, North
Anon, North
Bullying is rife in supermarkets, its the norm there. Thats why staff look so sullen.dmc, cheshire
Bullying is rife in supermarkets, its the norm there. Thats why staff look so sullen.dmc, cheshire
I was bullied at work in several different ways. Most of my job responsibilities were taken away from me after the my boss was fired with only a few hours notice. I was a supervisor but my staff reported to my boss, I was forced to literally work with both hands tied behind my back. If I wanted time off I literally had to fight for it. My boss in a meeting said she had a dream about having a go at me. I was given new jobs which really were beyond me as another tactic. It got worse so I had depression and stress recorded at my doctors and I was building up a case for unfair dismissal. My doctor signed me off for 2 weeks with depression even without seeing me because he knew how I was feeling. Shortly afterwards the company offered me voluntary redundancy(something they said would never do) and after 3 days deliberation I took it. I now teach driving and am far happier than I ever was in my 45 years in an office. They could not sack me because I knew too much about the law and at times worked on most of their legal cases even though it was not what I was employed to do.Derek Smith, Romford,Essex
I was bullied at work in several different ways. Most of my job responsibilities were taken away from me after the my boss was fired with only a few hours notice. I was a supervisor but my staff reported to my boss, I was forced to literally work with both hands tied behind my back. If I wanted time off I literally had to fight for it. My boss in a meeting said she had a dream about having a go at me. I was given new jobs which really were beyond me as another tactic. It got worse so I had depression and stress recorded at my doctors and I was building up a case for unfair dismissal. My doctor signed me off for 2 weeks with depression even without seeing me because he knew how I was feeling. Shortly afterwards the company offered me voluntary redundancy(something they said would never do) and after 3 days deliberation I took it. I now teach driving and am far happier than I ever was in my 45 years in an office. They could not sack me because I knew too much about the law and at times worked on most of their legal cases even though it was not what I was employed to do.Derek Smith, Romford,Essex
I and my clerical colleagues who all did the same job were frequently criticised and belittled by our manager, constantly emailing us about "complaints" that were always our fault (no one elses), constantly changing procedures every time a situation arose that did not fit, reminded us regularly of budget constraints that had to be adhered to "or jobs will be at risk", and similar negative, non supportive behaviour. The gap between her demands that everyone should be perfect, and the real world was really quite shocking. I now have a job with a boss that is a real person and not an uptight control freak heading for a nervous breakdown and am much happier as a result. anon, north west
I and my clerical colleagues who all did the same job were frequently criticised and belittled by our manager, constantly emailing us about "complaints" that were always our fault (no one elses), constantly changing procedures every time a situation arose that did not fit, reminded us regularly of budget constraints that had to be adhered to "or jobs will be at risk", and similar negative, non supportive behaviour. The gap between her demands that everyone should be perfect, and the real world was really quite shocking. I now have a job with a boss that is a real person and not an uptight control freak heading for a nervous breakdown and am much happier as a result. anon, north west
I experienced a lot of bullying and discrimination when I was registered disabled because I had special needs and was gifted as well.
I experienced a lot of bullying and discrimination when I was registered disabled because I had special needs and was gifted as well.
This caused many problems where I would get highly emotional with my boss but I spoke my mind and didn't care about the risk of losing my job because I was forced into this employment and didn't particularly like the organisation anyway.
This caused many problems where I would get highly emotional with my boss but I spoke my mind and didn't care about the risk of losing my job because I was forced into this employment and didn't particularly like the organisation anyway.
John R Jones, Preston, Lancashire
John R Jones, Preston, Lancashire
I have experienced workplace bullying at first hand. Happily I was not the victim but it did prompt me to read the literature on bullying and its' many forms.
I have experienced workplace bullying at first hand. Happily I was not the victim but it did prompt me to read the literature on bullying and its' many forms.
You need to read these books but, basically, the outcome is usually the same i.e. the victim loses out because management don't have the experience or guts to tackle the problem head on and usually 'find no concrete evidence that bullying has taken place'
You need to read these books but, basically, the outcome is usually the same i.e. the victim loses out because management don't have the experience or guts to tackle the problem head on and usually 'find no concrete evidence that bullying has taken place'
The victim ends up leaving and within 24 hours the bully has already earmarked their next victim.Tony Kelly, manchester
The victim ends up leaving and within 24 hours the bully has already earmarked their next victim.Tony Kelly, manchester
I experienced bullying in the workplace ,it gave me a nervous breakdown and scarred me permanently,people seem to think because they have a "higher"position ,they can say what they want ,bullying is part of British culture thoughshuan, stoke on trent
I experienced bullying in the workplace ,it gave me a nervous breakdown and scarred me permanently,people seem to think because they have a "higher"position ,they can say what they want ,bullying is part of British culture thoughshuan, stoke on trent
A boss tried to bully me once, i broke his nose and went and found another job.bob, Gwent wales
A boss tried to bully me once, i broke his nose and went and found another job.bob, Gwent wales
In my last job I was bullied quite heavily by my team manager. She was very subtle about it all and I dreaded everyday at work. I was kept out of the loop on everything the team did and dreaded having to go into her office when I needed to discuss a file with her.
In my last job I was bullied quite heavily by my team manager. She was very subtle about it all and I dreaded everyday at work. I was kept out of the loop on everything the team did and dreaded having to go into her office when I needed to discuss a file with her.
When it came clear she was bad mouthing me to the owner of the firm I decided enough was enough and raised a grievance and asked to change to a different team. Sadly as she had been in the job so long it was ignored and the situation got worse.
When it came clear she was bad mouthing me to the owner of the firm I decided enough was enough and raised a grievance and asked to change to a different team. Sadly as she had been in the job so long it was ignored and the situation got worse.
Finally the company sacked me just before I completed a years service and managed to get some employment rights.
Finally the company sacked me just before I completed a years service and managed to get some employment rights.
Without reforming the current employment legislation there is nothing that some of us can do. It's always the victims who suffer and the bullies continue to get away with it.Anon, Swansea, Wales
Without reforming the current employment legislation there is nothing that some of us can do. It's always the victims who suffer and the bullies continue to get away with it.Anon, Swansea, Wales
I've witnessed bullying where managers reprimand their staff for doing what they themselves do on a daily basis, moving targets at the last minute before more reprimands for not hitting the targets, belittling their staff in front of others and making inappropriate comments and jokes about everybody's personal lives.
I've witnessed bullying where managers reprimand their staff for doing what they themselves do on a daily basis, moving targets at the last minute before more reprimands for not hitting the targets, belittling their staff in front of others and making inappropriate comments and jokes about everybody's personal lives.
The managers' managers can't do anything because they're afraid of the bullies themselves! Experiencing such an atmosphere in an office environment can really drain a person of all their enthusiasm... but then that resulting lack of enthusiasm will be punished with threats of losing jobs.Rather Not Say, UK
The managers' managers can't do anything because they're afraid of the bullies themselves! Experiencing such an atmosphere in an office environment can really drain a person of all their enthusiasm... but then that resulting lack of enthusiasm will be punished with threats of losing jobs.Rather Not Say, UK
I was recently bullied by my line manager who got away with it because their boss backed them all the way. They even committed slander. As a result for the first time in my 20 year working life I had to attend a disciplinary and took long term sick leave. The manager was so arrogant that they even denied me the right to try and resolve issues by refusing workplace mediation.Anon,
I was recently bullied by my line manager who got away with it because their boss backed them all the way. They even committed slander. As a result for the first time in my 20 year working life I had to attend a disciplinary and took long term sick leave. The manager was so arrogant that they even denied me the right to try and resolve issues by refusing workplace mediation.Anon,
You may be assured that it is not just employees who experience bullying. As an employer, I experienced bullying in the form of annonymous abusive emails and text messages, silent phone calls, abusive notices placed in semi-public places, theft of personal items from within the office and so on. Had it not been for the fact that my wife was a Behaviour Manager I would not have appreciated that this was a form of bullying which I now understand rears its ugly head in many subtle, but nonetheless corrosive, guises.Colin, Cumbria
You may be assured that it is not just employees who experience bullying. As an employer, I experienced bullying in the form of annonymous abusive emails and text messages, silent phone calls, abusive notices placed in semi-public places, theft of personal items from within the office and so on. Had it not been for the fact that my wife was a Behaviour Manager I would not have appreciated that this was a form of bullying which I now understand rears its ugly head in many subtle, but nonetheless corrosive, guises.Colin, Cumbria
