Bosses warned over ‘after hours’ bullying

EMPLOYERS were yesterday warned they could be held responsible for incidents of bullying that occur outside of the workplace.

As part of an initiative to protect employees, bosses will now be expected to put policies in place in case bullying occurs at a table quiz, work-related event or even a work drinks night out.

The new code on prevention, solving and spotting bullying in work was launched by the Health and Safety Authority. It was launched to support recent legislation and comes in the wake of a recent ESRI report which concluded as many as one in 14 Irish employees have been bullied in the workplace.

Author of the code and psychologist Patricia Murray explained: “The whole thrust of the act is theemployer’s duty of care to the employee. In the previous act though, it didn’t mention behaviour. In this act it says behaviour or conduct that is unwarranted or undermining, is a hazard.

“If someone is at a work do, or a work quiz or an outing or a training day, all of the prevails of the Health and Safety Act are in situ for those occasions. Employers still have the same duty.”

This responsibility must cover drinks-related and other sociable events, added Ms Murray.

The new code covers plans for more informal investigations and solutions to bullying incidents, instead of having to resort to hearings before the Labour Court.

Any employer policy must cover “beyond the place of work to off-site and to work-related social events,” according to the new code.

Launching it yesterday, Minister for Labour Tony Killeen said: “I would advocate that in all workplaces any risks in regard to bullying should be identified and assessed and the policies should be put in place to deal with them.

He added: “There should be as little tolerance for the bully in the Irish workplace as there should be for those who work, or cause others to work, unsafely. There should be no protection for those who seek to undermine the dignity of others.”

The code warns of possible characteristics of bullies including traits such as poor communication skills, difficulty in working with others, difficulty in delegating responsibility and poor organisational skills.

The new code also warns its standards, which must be observed by employers, can be quoted and used by complainants in court cases.

The Department of Trade Enterprise and Employment yesterday warned of the long-term cost of employers ignoring policies and solutions to bullying incidents.

“If not sorted out internally, a serious case could bring an employer before a tribunal, the Labour Court and/or the civil courts. If destructive behaviour is tolerated and continues, it affects performance and general health and wellbeing of individuals and/or groups.”