Bullying at work mainly racial
WORKERS from ethnic minorities are five times more likely to suffer bullying in the workplace than their white colleagues, research by a Welsh university has revealed.
The research by Andrew Jones of the Valleys Race Equality Council and Dr Duncan Lewis, an international expert at the University of Glamorgan Business School on workplace bullying, found that a quarter of workers from ethnic minorities reported being bullied at work compared to just 5% of white workers.
The ground-breaking research is the first globally to focus on workplace bullying among ethnic minority employees.
The responses to the study, involving workers from numerous public and private sector employers, showed that many ethnic respondents were suffering a catalogue of bullying behaviours, not only via managers but also from colleagues of equivalent or lower grades.
The study, which anonymously questioned more than 250 respondents across a four- week period, revealed that 42% of those questioned had suffered bullying in the last six months, while 30% had suffered bullying for more than a year.
Dr Lewis said, "The respondents' experiences of being bullied demonstrate a significant impact on their work. Those who reported being bullied claimed to have reduced job satisfaction, motivation and attendance patterns.
"They also reported suffering stress burnout and increased levels of depression and anxiety. One in ten even reported suffering suicidal thoughts."
The research also suggests that victims lack confidence in their companies' internal support structures.
"Less than 15% of those who reported bullying turned to their HR department for help, while one third turned to their GP. Less than 10% took up official grievance routes," said Dr Lewis.
"These findings suggest that much more work needs to be done to understand the true nature and extent of bullying inside UK organisations and how support networks operate in practice. The current systems are clearly failing."
Until now, studies of workplace bullying have largely ignored the specific issue of ethnic minority employees.
But earlier this month a new bullying hotline for cabin crew and ground staff at Heathrow and Gatwick airports was jammed with calls. According to the trade union Amicus, 91% of the callers were from ethnic minorities alleging racist behaviour.
Dr Lewis and his colleagues are now working with Cardiff University in a bid to take this research forward nationally.
Companies who do not tackle racially-motivated bullying in the workplace risk not just the welfare of their workforce and possible legal repercussions.
Employers have a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees. If they fail to take adequate steps to ensure these rights, they may find themselves facing fines, compensation and even the possibility of a jail sentence.
A recent TUC survey of employees found workplace bullying contributes to the loss of 18 million working days every year.
Source: Rhodri Evans, The Western Mail - 10.09.04
The research by Andrew Jones of the Valleys Race Equality Council and Dr Duncan Lewis, an international expert at the University of Glamorgan Business School on workplace bullying, found that a quarter of workers from ethnic minorities reported being bullied at work compared to just 5% of white workers.
The ground-breaking research is the first globally to focus on workplace bullying among ethnic minority employees.
The responses to the study, involving workers from numerous public and private sector employers, showed that many ethnic respondents were suffering a catalogue of bullying behaviours, not only via managers but also from colleagues of equivalent or lower grades.
The study, which anonymously questioned more than 250 respondents across a four- week period, revealed that 42% of those questioned had suffered bullying in the last six months, while 30% had suffered bullying for more than a year.
Dr Lewis said, "The respondents' experiences of being bullied demonstrate a significant impact on their work. Those who reported being bullied claimed to have reduced job satisfaction, motivation and attendance patterns.
"They also reported suffering stress burnout and increased levels of depression and anxiety. One in ten even reported suffering suicidal thoughts."
The research also suggests that victims lack confidence in their companies' internal support structures.
"Less than 15% of those who reported bullying turned to their HR department for help, while one third turned to their GP. Less than 10% took up official grievance routes," said Dr Lewis.
"These findings suggest that much more work needs to be done to understand the true nature and extent of bullying inside UK organisations and how support networks operate in practice. The current systems are clearly failing."
Until now, studies of workplace bullying have largely ignored the specific issue of ethnic minority employees.
But earlier this month a new bullying hotline for cabin crew and ground staff at Heathrow and Gatwick airports was jammed with calls. According to the trade union Amicus, 91% of the callers were from ethnic minorities alleging racist behaviour.
Dr Lewis and his colleagues are now working with Cardiff University in a bid to take this research forward nationally.
Companies who do not tackle racially-motivated bullying in the workplace risk not just the welfare of their workforce and possible legal repercussions.
Employers have a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees. If they fail to take adequate steps to ensure these rights, they may find themselves facing fines, compensation and even the possibility of a jail sentence.
A recent TUC survey of employees found workplace bullying contributes to the loss of 18 million working days every year.
Source: Rhodri Evans, The Western Mail - 10.09.04
posted by Carole Spiers @ Saturday, September 11, 2004
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home