Legislation should be enacted to provide statutory protection and compensation for the victims of bullying at work, the Dublin regional executive committee of SIPTU has recommended.
A motion passed by the region's public sector conference this weekend recommends that such recompense be available through the industrial relations institutions. Mr Jack McGinley of the union said bullying and sexual harassment were "happening at a far greater frequency in the workplace".
He said there is a need for "fast-track legislative change to allow staff to have a safe and comfortable work environment free from the prey of subordinates, colleagues and customers alike".
Solicitor Mr Peter Boyle told the conference that illnesses caused by work-related stress, including bullying, were a growing area of personal injury litigation. The medical profession was becoming more aware of the problem of bullying at work and more sympathetic. Bullying at work encompassed verbal aggression, persistent criticism of an employee's work, the circulation of rumours about an employee, or the setting of unrealistic work targets.
SIPTU regional secretary Mr Jack Nash said victims of bullying should keep notes of each incident and if the bully is a manager, keep copies of all letters and memos relating to their ability to do their job.
Mr Nash said the victim should confront the bully verbally or in writing and "make it clear that their behaviour is unacceptable". The victim should also try to get witnesses to the bullying and find out if they are the only one experiencing the problem. It was important that victims talk to colleagues about the incidents and explore the possibility of a group complaint, he said.
"All employees should make clear to others they find such behaviour unacceptable and support colleagues suffering such treatment," Mr Nash said.
