Bullying in local and central government

The economic downturn has seen a sharp rise in levels of bullying in local government. This sector has been blighted by what the TUC describes as “contract manipulation”, where workers have been forced to accept reduced terms and conditions by employers using a tactic of mass dismissal of staff while simultaneously offering them new inferior contracts.

Thousands of local government employees have faced this situation since the start of the recession. The general union GMB calculated that, by April 2011, 171,709 posts had come under threat or had been eliminated at 331 local authorities across England, Wales and Scotland and many more jobs will have gone the same way during 2012.

It is unsurprising that unions have charted complaints of bullying and harassment linked to this management behaviour. This can be seen in the results of the 2012 TUC safety reps’ survey, which show that bullying and harassment within local government is now the top cause of concern for 41% of reps, second only to stress (73%). Overwork is also a growing concern (38% — up from 32% in 2010).