Workers urged to use stalking law

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/6214519.stm

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Scotland's biggest union urged public sector workers to use anti-stalking laws to tackle harassment at work.

Officials at Unison said legislation introduced in 1997 to tackle stalkers could also protect workers against verbal or physical harassment.

The union said the Protection from Harassment Act had been strengthened and could now be used to help those suffering from harassment at work.

The union has written to all branches advising them of the legislation.

Dave Watson, Unison's Scottish organiser, said: "Legal action in cases of assault, bullying or harassment not only provides a potential remedy for the individual member - but can also act as a deterrent for others.

Civil proceedings

"With more than 20,000 violent incidents recorded in the NHS and local government in Scotland last year this legislation can play a part in delivering the comprehensive package of measures required to tackle harassment at work."

The union has written to all its branches advising them of the legislation, which it said could be used for civil proceedings against people, as well as criminal ones.

It claimed victims of workplace harassment could initiate civil proceedings with the help of their trades union.

Unison said the act allowed the possibility of pursuing cases through the civil courts or the use of a non-harassment order, similar to an anti-social behaviour order.