Workplace bullying laws on the way

Laws to combat workplace bullying will be introduced as soon as possible, Labour Affairs Minister Tony Killeen told a national conference on the issue today.

The Minister of State told the National Conference on Workplace Bullying in Dublin it was important that steps were taken to remove the risk of bullying to all workers.

This could only be achieved by an anti-bullying regime which had the force of law, he said.

Mr Killeen told the conference the report by the Expert Advisory Group on Workplace Bullying had found existing measures to tackle the problem were insufficient and legislation should be introduced.

He said the report had also found workplace bullying was an increasing problem.

“Whether this is due to an increase in the incidence of bullying or an increasing awareness of the unacceptability of bullying behaviour is not clearly demonstrable.

“However the end result is the same – increased numbers of complaints, higher levels of workplace stress, great frustration with a lack of formal channels for resolving such complaints and an increased burden on all parties to resolve disputes.

“Indeed, I note that this conference is intended for – among others – those interested in improving the workplace environment for which they are responsible, as well as individuals whose lives have been affected by workplace bullying,” he said.

According to the Minister of State, the advisory group also found that responsibility for tackling the problem was diffuse and clarity of process was required.

Workplace bullying was unacceptable in all circumstances and it was the responsibility of management to ensure that bullying was not tolerated at work, Mr Killeen said.

He said the legislation should apply to all employees in the workforce and he hoped to bring proposals on implementing the group’s recommendations before the Government as soon as possible.

“I am anxious to build on the work already done by the group in order to deal with gaps in the current regime.

“The biggest gap relates to getting a fair, consistent system available to all where bullying is an issue, without repercussion, taking appropriate action where these systems are lacking and gaining appropriate and effective closure for victims regarding allegations of bullying,” he said.

Mr Killeen has been holding discussion with various groups including the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and employers organisation IBEC over the recommendations.

He added he would be launching a new survey on workplace bullying to build on a 2001 survey on the subject.

The one-day conference in Dublin is also hearing from Senator Mary Henry, Aer Aran’s managing director Padraig O’Ceidigh, consultant and researcher Jacinta Kitt, a general practitioner and a clinical psychologist who will be addressing different aspects of the issue.