Half of Irish workers bullied on the job

Almost half of workers have been bullied on the job but the vast majority refuse to report it, a new survey revealed today.

Nearly three-quarters of employees said they would rather pretend they weren’t being harassed over fears they could put their job at risk.

The research by employment law firm Peninsula Ireland found most workers are simply too scared to report intimidation and harassment.

Alan Price, the firm’s managing director, warned there is a real risk workplace bullying will become even more of a problem during the recession.

“With the current economic climate, the workplace has become a very tense environment for everyone and with fears over job security continuously looming, employees don’t want to cause any hassle for their employers and so don’t report bullying,” he said.

“Employers need to take steps to eliminate this way of thinking and encourage employees to report any incidents immediately.”

The Peninsula Ireland report warned workplace bullying can take many shapes and forms with perpetrators often unaware of the effect they are having on employees.

Alarming research released late last year by leading psychologists stated that bullying in the workplace is cited as a factor in a quarter of all suicides – on average about 100 a year in Ireland.

Mr Price said abuse could range from silent treatment to being rebuked in front of your peers, being given insignificant tasks guaranteed to fail, not being given praise or not being invited to social events.

“It may very well be that an employee feels bullied without the perpetrator knowing. It is these types of situation where an open door policy in relation to bullying is ideal as it can address the situation easily,” he said.

Interviews with 764 workers over a three-week period last month found;

:: 44% of employees have been a victim of workplace bullying.

:: 72% of workers said if they were bullied they would not feel comfortable telling their employer.

:: Three quarters of employees believe that reporting bullying could affect their job security.

:: 68% of workers feigned illness to avoid being bullied.

Mr Price added: “An employer has an obligation to his staff to ensure that they are not being bullied whilst at the same time he also has a duty to ensure the management team are aware what to look for.

“Bullying is all about perception so make sure you have everyone in mind when planning any events/incentives in your workplace. After all, it only takes one complaint to land you in a tribunal.”