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.