11: Stress, bullying, harassment and violence


Key changes and developments since last year


• In September 2015, NHS England Chief Executive Simon Stevens announced a £5 million plan to improve the health and well-being of health service staff, including reducing stress and providing health checks covering mental health;


• In December 2015, the TUC published new guidance on Work and well-being;


• A recent poll carried out by YouGov for the TUC  revealed that nearly a third of people are bullied at work;


• A survey by law firm Slater and Gordon found that almost six in ten workers have either experienced or witnessed bullying at work;


• New research commissioned by the TUC and released to coincide with the start of Heartunions week in February 2016 suggests that nearly four million people have experienced violence at work at some point in their career;


• In March 2016, the Supreme Court ruled that supermarket chain Morrisons was liable for the actions of its employees after a man was assaulted by a petrol station attendant in March 2008;


• In July 2016 new Sentencing Council guidelines came into effect recommending harsher punishments for owners convicted of dangerous dog offences;