GMB question management of Barking and Dagenham Council staff following bullying survey results
GMB question leadership of Barking and Dagenham Council as 55% of council staff asked say they have been harassed, bullied or discriminated against at work
Barking and Dagenham need to get a grip on this and provide leadership from the top down to eradicate these types of behaviours, says GMB London
GMB have questioned the leadership and management of Barking and Dagenham Council following the results of a recent bulling survey. The survey shows that 55% of council staff asked felt they had been harassed, bullied or discriminated against at work, with 45% saying that their mistreatment had been at the hands of management.
43% of Barking and Dagenham staff asked also said they believed they were more likely to be harassed, bullied or discriminated against now than one, three, or five years ago.
Additional comments made by staff include accounts of being “belittled in front of others” and “sworn at for asking questions”. Another said they felt there was “a concerted effort by management to bully and harass staff to work longer hours”. One member said they were “reduced to tears”, and another said their “confidence has been knocked and every day I am wondering if I will be a target”.
Vaughan West, GMB Regional Organiser said:
“Our survey suggests that there is a worrying blame culture within Barking and Dagenham, that manifests itself in bullying and harassment of the staff. Our members are often reluctant to formalise these complaints as they feel they will just be swept under the carpet and no action taken.
“The public belittling and swearing at staff should have no place in any modern working environment and staff should expect to be able to come into work without the fear of being the next target.
“Barking and Dagenham need to get a grip on this and provide leadership from the top down to eradicate these types of behaviours, so that staff, wherever they work in the Council feel valued and appreciated.”
ENDS
Contact: Vaughan West 07967 342197 or GMB London Press Office 07970 114762
Image: Mermaid via Flickr
