Nearly 50% of workers bullied

ALMOST one-in-two employees has been bullied in the workplace, according to a recruitment website survey.

And the figure of 48% is up 7% on a similar survey conducted by Monster.ie. 12 months ago.

The workplace discrimination survey, published at the start of Anti-Racism Week, also found that 13% were subjected to bullying of a sexual nature, up 2%.

The only types of bullying showing a decrease were racial at 7%, down 1%, and disability at 2%, also down 1%.

Of the 528 people who took part in the survey, 28% said they had never been bullied, an 8% decrease.

Monster.ie managing director Alan Townsend said it was disappointing that there had been no reduction in workplace bullying.

“Any company that does not have a clear policy or understanding of this issue is liable to have a demotivated and less productive workforce,” he warned.

The company’s marketing manager Karen Kilroy said employees should make it their business to know their rights. Equality legislation was now in place clearly identifying the areas under which employees cannot be discriminated against.

The Equality Authority’s information officer Patrick O’Leary said it was helping employers to implement a code of practice in relation to workplace bullying.