Bullying of disabled workers is widespread, study shows

3rd November 2009

The government has been urged to act following figures showing harassment of disabled people in the workplace is rife.

At its annual disabled members conference in Blackpool, Unison revealed that 35 per cent of such employees have suffered from bullying in the last six months, while 22 per cent stated the problem is ongoing.

Many of these were said to believe their disability was the reason and the trade union noted that morale, performance and confidence have all been affected.

General secretary Dave Prentis described the findings as a "kick in the teeth" for workers and Unison called for the dignity in the workplace bill to be revised to include anti-bullying measures.

"These figures amount to a huge number of staff suffering in silence at the hands of bullies, while employers turn their back on the issue," Mr Prentis remarked.

Writing for the Guardian last week, Mohini Bharania of Russell Jones & Walker argued that disability discrimination legislation should give more consideration to mental health illnesses.

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