New data reveals a troubling trend of workplace bullying causing over half of UK employees to leave or consider leaving their roles.
- The survey, conducted by Wright Hassall, highlights that 60% of women report experiencing workplace bullying, including unfair criticism and verbal abuse.
- Data shows a significant gender disparity, with women experiencing more instances of workplace harassment compared to men.
- An alarming 72% of those bullied do not report the incidents, indicating a pervasive issue with addressing workplace misconduct.
- Over half of those who reported bullying found their concerns ignored or exacerbated, revealing critical weaknesses in workplace responses.
Newly released data has shed light on a concerning trend within UK workplaces, indicating that over 50% of employees have either left or contemplated leaving their jobs due to bullying. More specifically, the survey by Wright Hassall points out that 60% of women have faced bullying behaviours from colleagues or managers, such as unfair criticism, being undermined, offensive jokes, and verbal abuse.
A comprehensive survey involving over 1,000 UK employees uncovers a gender disparity in workplace bullying, with 24% more women than men reporting experiences of being undermined. Almost a quarter of respondents have faced unfair criticism or blame, and 22% have encountered abrupt emails, affecting 25% of women compared to 18% of men.
Furthermore, jokes that offend (16%), verbal abuse (13%), and exclusion or isolation (13%) are common experiences reported. Alarmingly, 37% more women than men feel isolated at work. The data highlights a distinct age-related aspect as well, with those aged 25-54 most frequently subjected to verbal abuse, while individuals over 55 report the least bullying.
Tina Chander of Wright Hassall articulates the dismal reality that despite significant incidences of bullying, a large majority (72%) of those affected choose not to report it. Among those who did report, nearly 46% experienced either ignorance from management or a worsening of the situation. Men, in particular, seem to face a notable disregard of their complaints, with 58% feeling their reports are either ignored or exacerbated, compared to 41% of women.
Chander underlines an urgent need for companies to address these behaviours head-on and suggests that the younger demographic may be more attuned to identifying such misconduct. She advocates for comprehensive training and clear organisational policies to foster a safer work environment.
Immediate and substantial cultural changes are imperative to combat workplace bullying effectively.
