Zero Tolerance
Research published in August 2002 by the Work Foundation[formerly the Industrial society] concludes that the UK workplace is increasingly becoming a zero tolerance zone for bullies.
The research into bullying-Employee Codes Of Conduct-found that eight out of ten responding organisations now have a code of conduct on bullying and harassment. And although such codes are relatively recent initiatives in UK workplaces,they are taken seriously-with a third of respondents saying that workers breaking the code would be SACKED. Only 6% would give an informal warning.
A third[32%]Â of respondents also consider codes on bullying to be a priority for a well-run workplace,along with work safety[41%] and corporate confidentiality[33%]
Angela Ishmael,head of dignity at work at the work place foundation recently gave evidence on workplace bullying at a House of Lords seminar on the Dignity at Work Bill. She says.
Not so long ago bullying was seen by many organisations as little more than a challenging anf forceful work style. It is good to see that the tide is turning and that employers are more committed to creating work environments where empolyees no longer need to work in fear.
Codes of conduct are a useful litmus test of the quality of management. To make the UK workplace a genuinely bully free zone,such initiatives need backing from the top,supportive colleagues,managers who will help people to raise their concerns, and a responsible work culture which tackles the causes and concequences of bullying and harassment before individuals are victimised and jobs are lost.
The Work FoundationÂ