A TUC survey published today estimates that up to five million employees may have been bullied at work by their bos...
A TUC survey published today estimates that up to five million employees may have been bullied at work by their bosses, sometimes with devastating consequences for their health.
The TUC decided to commission the survey after 2,000 people rang a Bad Bosses hotline run last December to complain they were being harassed at work.
The Guardian (p6) reports that much of the blame is being put on a generation of managers who were on the first rung of the corporate ladder during the cut and thrust of the Thatcher era and are now wreaking havoc in positions of power.
Examples of the macho-style range from off the cuff shouting and swearing, to calculated humiliation. One manager forced employees to stand in the corner of the room wearing a dunce's cap if he thought they were not working hard enough.
Eleven per cent of the 1,000 people who took part in the survey said they were bullied, or had been bullied. More than a quarter said they were aware bullying took place. Women were just as likely as men to be bullied as men.
The TUC is today launching a campaign, No Excuse: Beat Bullying at Work, to deal with what it considers a growing problem.
John Monks, TUC general secretary, said: 'These shocking figures highlight the need for protection against bullying at work.'
The department of trade and industry said yesterday it welcomed the report. 'And we welcome any suggestions that the TUC might have for promoting good practice,' a spokesman said.
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