Misuse Of Power Most Prolific Type Of Bullying

Two-thirds of UK managers believe that lack of management skills is the major factor contributing to bullying at work, according to new research. Misuse of power was listed as the most prolific type of bullying used within the workplace.

The figures are reported on the OUT-LAW.COM website run by the law firm Pinsent Masons. They refer to a survey by the Ban Bullying at Work campaign which questioned 512 senior managers across the UK in conjunction with the Chartered Management Institute.

The other main factors, given by managers themselves, which contribute to bullying at work included unrealistic targets (cited by 27%); authoritarian management styles (56%); personality (57%); and failure to address incidents (37%).

The survey also asked managers what they believed was the most prolific type of bullying used. Misuse of power was cited by 71% of managers while 63% cited overbearing supervision and 55% cited exclusion.

The fifth national Ban Bullying at Work day takes place on 7th November and is supported by the TUC and a range of other organisations. To raise awareness of the day, the Ban Bullying at Work campaign has produced a range of materials that can be bought online. There is also a very useful Reflection Questionnaire to profile your own behaviour and that of others.

Supporting Professional Women

Professional women are now the fastest growing group of trade union members. The TUC is therefore organising a special half day seminar on 28 June in London, free to members of professional unions like ACM. The event will look at how individual unions are supporting professional women in the workplace; and how unions can support women to challenge barriers to success.

Speakers at the event include Jim Fitzpatrick MP, on how the government is supporting professional women, and Baroness Margaret Prosser who will speak on the lessons for professional unions arising from the Women at Work Commission. There also will be a choice of workshops; and lunch is provided.

If any member is interested in attending this free event, please send a message and contact details to the ACM Helpline.

Ban Bullying Day

This year’s ban bullying day is set for the 7th November 2007. The aim is to raise awareness of the problem to a national audience and to organisations. This is a stand alone campaign, being spear-headed by The Andrea Adams Trust, a not-for-profit charity dedicated to tackling workplace bullying.

The campaign is aimed to be about everyone involved in the field of workplace bullying, so the message can get out that this behaviour will no longer be accepted.

www.banbullyingatwork.com is now online and is a central resource for activities and links to all interested groups.

Important Debates For Branch Policy Forum

A call for ACM Council to oppose any local proposals to contract-out teaching departments or the management of learning services, will be made next month at the ACM Branch Policy Forum. This item is just one of a number of important issues being debated when delegates convene on 11 May in Birmingham. Other issues for debate include ESOL, workplace bullying, support for ACM branches, and professional development for managers.

Decisions taken at the Forum will form the basis of future ACM policy. If your branch has not yet appointed a delegate, it is still not too late to secure a place. Please contact our events department for a booking form and return it by 30 April 2007.

Work-Stress Network Conference

“Enforcing the HSE stress management standards” is the theme of a national conference being organised by the UK National Work-Stress Network. The event is not being held until Saturday 10 November 2007 but an early-bird booking fee of £50 is available for delegates who register before October 13th.

The UK National Work-Stress network is a campaigning organisation. It can provide expert speakers on stress to employers and trade unions for use at seminars, workshops and conferences; and also produces a regular e-newsletter.

The November conference is being held at the Hillscourt Conference Centre near Birmingham and is aimed at union representatives, safety managers, HR specialists and stress management consultants. For more information please visit the network’s website www.workstress.net

Preventing Slips and Trips in Education

FESH, the further education safety and health forum is backing a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) campaign to reduce slips and trips in education. Over half of all accidents in the sector are caused by slips and trips, injuring both staff and students.

The HSE has produced a range of resources for use in colleges, schools and universities, and is holding a series of workshops around the country during the year. The workshops are aimed at estates managers, safety managers and trade union representatives. For more details on the campaign and workshops please visit the campaign page at the HSE website.

HOPE Not Hate Tour

To reflect Britain’s diversity, Searchlight, the anti-fascist magazine, is organising a HOPE not Hate tour of the country. Sponsored by the Daily Mirror, an old Routemaster bus set off from London on 24 March and will finish its journey in Glasgow on Friday 6 April. It will travel the width and breadth of Britain and will be a celebration of the rich tapestry that makes up our country. It aims to stop in over 30 places where local activities will be organised and local traditions celebrated.

Britain is, warts and all, a great multicultural society and this needs defending and promoting - now more than ever. Linking up with a steel band in the West Midlands and a brass band in Wakefield, a mothers and tots group in Keighley, to footballers in Newcastle, the HOPE not Hate tour will honour the different regional, racial and religious elements that make up Britain.

You will be able to follow the tour - by a blog and video extracts - through the website HOPEnothate between 24 March and 7 April.