Unison Stresses the Need to Protect the Dignity of Disabled Workers
While there are so many measures to help disabled people to get employment, a recent study shows that close to 33% of disabled employees are often intimidated by their bosses in their workplace.
This alarming data about workplace bullying was released by Unison after a survey, which further indicated that 35% of workers were bullied in the last two months while more than one fifth are still facing the problem. Large sections of workers who are intimidated at workplace feel that this happens because they are disabled. In fact, one third of the women also reported to being bullied at their workplace.
According to the General Secretary of Unison, it is very clear that disabled workers have to face a hostile work environment in addition to other work-related problems. Often their colleagues treat them with disrespect and the employers refuse to take any remedial action. This harms the workers and makes them uncomfortable about asking for any assistance if they need it. Constant bullying not only harms their self-confidence but even drives them towards mental and bodily illness.
Therefore, Unison has decided to take action on the basis of this report and has come up with a ‘Bully Busters’ campaign in collaboration with Company Magazine. The campaign is requesting the Government to include specific provisions in the Dignity in the Workplace Bill that will protect workers from being bullied, and the obligation to enforce the new measures and provisions is put on the employers.
Workplace Law Group specialises in employment law, health and safety, and premises management. They are accredited by the National Examination Board for Occupational Safety and Health (see NEBOSH training) to provide information, advice, training and consulting for organisations throughout the
