By Gareth Iacobucci
Nearly one in eight Department of Health staff have experienced bullying or harassment at work, according to the results of a civil service survey.
The survey of more than 2,000 civil servants – carried out last year, also found that nearly one in 10 workers say they have experienced discrimination.
12% of staff said they had experienced bullying and harassment at work during the past year, while 9% said they had personally experienced discrimination.
A Department of Health spokesperson said: ‘All Department of Health staff have the right to be treated with consideration, fairness, dignity and respect. There is absolutely no place in the workplace for abuse of any sort.
‘We launched our Bullying and Harassment policy in March 2008 to emphasise that any form of bullying or harassment is unacceptable and procedures for how employees can raise a complaint.
‘We will continue to monitor the situation through regular staff surveys. Any cases of bullying or harassment will be fully investigated and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.'
DH
