Last updated 00:39, Wednesday, 05 March 2008

Bullying at work. Picture posed by models.

LACK of training is the main cause of bullying in the workplace according to campaigners trying to make the business better.

Wednesday is the fourth National Ban Bullying at Work day.

In partnership with the Chartered Management Institute, the Ban Bullying at Work campaign recently conducted a survey of managers which found that two-thirds of respondents thought a lack of management skills was the main factor contributing to workplace bullying.

An authoritarian management style and managers’ personalities were also factors.

Managers are the worst culprits for bullying.

A bullied employee who leaves a company may be able to bring a successful claim of constructive unfair dismissal, lawyers warn. And, although the Department of Health estimates that 19 million working days are lost to workplace bullying, less than half of businesses have a bullying policy in place.

"Businesses are putting themselves in a vulnerable position by not having such policies in place.

"If they are subsequently taken to a tribunal over a bullying allegation, they could be at an immediate disadvantage because it will be difficult to demonstrate that they follow best practices," said Joanne Stronach of Burnetts’ employment law team.

She added: "Formal procedures are also helpful in reassuring bullying victims that their complaints will be dealt with thoroughly."

Bullying at work can take many forms including persistent criticism, name calling and personal insults or withholding work-related information. The industrial relations organisation ACAS describes bullying as "offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means intended to undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the recipient".

"Employers must acknowledge that bullying does take place from time to time and that it takes many forms," said Ms Stronach.

"A formal policy sends a strong message that bullying won’t be tolerated and also encourages workers to speak up if they are witness to, or a victim of, workplace bullying.

Training managers to recognise and deal with bullying is obviously essential because when a complaint does arise, it should be taken very seriously and treated as a formal grievance."

Information on the Ban Bullying at Work campaign can be found at www.banbullyingatwork.com.

For further information or advice on dealing with workplace bullying, contact Burnetts’ employment team on 01228 552222 or visit www.burnetts.co.uk