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Press release: NHS Employers launches bullying guidance

25 Apr 2006

NHS Employers today launches guidance to help employers tackle problems with bullying and harassment in their trusts.

Bullying and harassment in the workplace was highlighted by the Healthcare Commission in their staff survey last month as it urged trusts to continue their efforts to tackle the problem.

The guidance, which is being launched at HR in the NHS in Birmingham this week, will help trusts to differentiate between firm and fair management and bullying and harassment.  It contains advice for employers on how to identify problems and how to tackle them informally and when a formal complaint has been made.  Trusts are encouraged to put in place a policy which should be communicated widely so that employees know that bullying and harassment is not tolerated.

Julian Topping, Head of Workplace Health and Employment at NHS Employers, said:

"The NHS is the largest employer in the UK and it is vital that we ensure it has a culture where bullying and harassment are seen as unacceptable.  This guidance will help trusts to spot potential issues and deal with them quickly before they become a problem. 

"Bullying and harassment is an issue that has already been highlighted by the Healthcare Commission and it is top of our agenda for the coming year.  We are working with trusts locally to help them implement bullying and harassment policies and provide them with a framework for dealing with any incidents among their staff."

Bullying at work can have a negative impact on a trust including rising levels of absenteeism, high levels of staff turnover and sickness absence.  It is estimated that between one third and one half of all stress-related illnesses is caused by bullying.

The guidance highlights the example of Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust which has appointed 10 Harassment Support Workers to help employees with complaints of bullying and harassment.  

Related publications

Bullying and harassment (232 kB PDF)
Information for employers on bullying and harassment in the workplace and guidance on how best to manage it|

Notes for editors

* The Healthcare Commission staff survey 2005 reported slight improvements in levels of violence, harassment and bullying against staff on the previous year, but the Commission said it was too early to say whether the trend would carry on and urged trusts to continue their efforts to tackle the problem -
o physical violence from patients or relatives dropped from 14% in 2004 to 12%
o staff experiencing bullying, harassment or abuse from patients or relatives dropped from 27% in 2004 to 26%
o bullying and harassment or abuse by other staff dropped from 16% in 2004 to 15%
* For further information about the Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Harassment Support Workers scheme, please contact Helen Stevens on 01226 730000 x2307.

Contact details

The press office provides a comprehensive service to keep journalists informed about the work of NHS Employers.

If you have a media enquiry, please contact the press office team:

• Gemma Jeffcoate
  0207 074 3308 or gemma.jeffcoate@nhsemployers.org

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