Commission to crack whip over workplace bullying

Date: 14/03/02

By Martin Banks

THE European Commission is planning to introduce new laws to outlaw bullying in the workplace.

The move is part of a package of health and safety proposals put forward by Social Affairs Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou.

She says action is needed to tackle 'emerging' work-related illnesses, and put an end to harassment and intimidation at work.

'It is a known fact that illnesses such as stress and violence in the workplace are responsible for 18 of all problems associated with health at work, with a quarter of them resulting in two weeks or more absence from work,' she said.

Diamantopoulou adds that the cost of this to the economy of member states should not be underestimated.

'In 1999 in the EU, 500 million working days were lost as a result of accidents and health problems, and almost 3,500 people have been forced to change jobs.

'Over and above these human tragedies, this is a waste of resources.'

To help address the problem, the Commission plans to introduce a directive on 'psychological' harassment at work, or bullying, in the next 12-18 months.

The law, if based on a similar directive banning sexual harassment, would put the onus on employers to demonstrate that they have done all they can to tackle the issue.

'Basically, the employer would have to provide a bully-free workplace - or face the consequences,' said Andrew Fielding, the Commission's social affairs spokesman.

Meanwhile, Juan Carlos Aparicio, the Spanish employment and social affairs minister, says young people are not sufficiently equipped to cope with health risks at work.

Research shows that those aged between 18-24 are 1.4 times more likely than the average worker to suffer a work-related accident, he told a health and safety conference in Bilbao. 'Young people should be made aware of what's dangerous in their environment and what they can do to help themselves to stay safe.'

The conference was organised by the Spanish EU presidency.

The European Commission is planning to introduce new laws to outlaw bullying in the workplace. The move is part of a package of health and safety proposals put forward by Social Affairs Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou.