Press Release

Subtle approach to intimidation is favoured by workplace bullies

31 October 2006

Bullies in workplaces across the UK are employing a range of psychological tactics to pressurise and intimidate colleagues.

According to figures released today by the Chartered Management Institute, 11 types of bullying behaviour have been identified.  And with 60 per cent saying that workplace bullying has become increasingly common, it is a concern that respondents say organisations are failing to deal with the problem.

Highlights from the findings include:

- hidden harassment: misuse of power tops the list of tactics (70 per cent) used by workplace bullies.  More than half (55 per cent) also exclude colleagues from team activity or information

- employer inaction: 1 in 5 organisations have no plans to develop anti-bullying policies. And 60 per cent of respondents say their employer has not trained them to deal with the problem

The findings have been released in the run up to National Ban Bullying at Work day (7 November) and as part of the campaign to stamp out workplace bullying, the Chartered Management Institute has developed a guide to help managers and employers tackle the problem.  Called 'Bullying at work: guidance for managers' it is free to download via www.managers.org.uk/bullying.