Tackling bullying at work

BOSSES escape censure for bullying in the workplace because employee complaints are not investigated by an independent source, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) said yesterday.

It recommends the creation of an impartial agency to investigate bullying cases, noting the conflict of interest that may arise under existing mechanisms.

In relation to complaints lodged against company owners or managing directors, HSA inspector Patricia Murray said: “There is no onus to get an outside independent investigator, so bullying is never found to have occurred,” she said.

“It is akin to asking sexual harassers to assess themselves when it is obvious they find their behaviour acceptable on their own terms.”

Ms Murray’s comments are made in a briefing note prepared for Minister of State for Labour Affairs Frank Fahey, who is to consider setting up an agency which allows an independent source hear cases while all parties are still employed.

A spokeswoman for Mr Fahey said a number of options were being explored, including attaching the agency to the Labour Court.

The main concern, she said, is the “very significant impact” bullying is having on workers, resulting in absenteeism, poor performance and resignation.

According to research commissioned by the HSA, 7% of employees surveyed say they have been bullied during a defined six-month period.

The incidence rate among women is 1.8 times higher than among men and the rate among employees is 3.6 times that among the self-employed.