Workplace bullying increased marginally last year despite greater awareness of the effects, a survey released yesterday has shown.
According to the study, which was carried out by the Economic and Social Research Institute in conjunction with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, almost 8 per cent of the workforce has suffered some form of bullying in the past six months. Women are at higher risk than men.
The 8 per cent, which is equal to 159,000 individuals, compares with 7 per cent in 2001, when a similar survey was carried out.
Minister for Labour Affairs Tony Killeen yesterday expressed disappointment that the incidence figure had remained largely unchanged despite the increase in awareness of the effects of bullying and the negative impact it is known to have on business. "The fact that only around half of all organisations report that they have heard of codes of practice and are aware of their requirements is a concern," he said.
He added that he would shortly be announcing a revised code of practice on bullying, developed by the Health and Safety Authority.
The survey, which questioned 3,500 individuals and 1,600 companies, found that 10.7 per cent of women, compared with 5.8 per cent of men, have experienced bullying in the workplace in the past six months.
The survey also found that the number of bullying incidences is higher in the public rather than the private sector, with education, public administration, health and social work ranking highest for occurrences of bullying.
For the purposes of the survey, bullying was defined as repeated inappropriate behaviour, either verbal or physical, that undermines an individual's right to dignity at work.
According to the findings, workers are at greater risk of bullying where there is management or organisational change.
Commenting on the results, Mr Killeen said he was concerned that 39 per cent of public-sector workers believe bullying is a problem.
He called on all managers to recognise they have a problem on their hands and to start addressing it.
