Three and a half million people are bullied at work, according to a new study.

Research from the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has found that one in seven workers has been bullied in their job recently.

One in five employees (21%) say bullying is a real issue where they work. More people are bullied in the public sector (19%) than in private industry (12%).

A significant minority (8%) of voluntary workers are also intimidated in their jobs.

Perhaps surprisingly, young professional men were found to be the most likely victims of workplace bullying.

Men are more likely to be bullied than women and people working in professional or associate style jobs are more harassed than those in more technical or hands-on roles.

The study also found that instances of workplace bullying varied across the UK. Employees in the east Midlands are the most bullied (18%), with the east of England the least problematic area (8%).

Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC, said: “This level of bullying at work is completely unacceptable.
“It is particularly disturbing that more people complain of bullying in the public sector.

“Every organisation needs to have an anti-bullying policy, and every manager should ensure that there is zero-tolerance of bullying, either by line managers or workmates.”

The TUC is calling on organisations to combat workplace bullying and is supporting the forthcoming Ban Bullying at Work Day on November 7.

Lyn Witheridge, CEO of the Andrea Adams Trust which is campaigning in support of the awareness day, said: “We encourage every employer to become involved and use this opportunity to participate in the wide array of activities provided by the Ban Bullying at Work Day campaign.”