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How common is bullying at work?

As many as one in 10 people were bullied at work over the past six months, or around two million of the UK's 24 million employees.

This evidence is from Destructive Conflict, the UK's largest-ever study of workplace bullying. Many 'targets' of bullying say they are being victimised on a daily or weekly basis.

A trade union survey by Unison of workers in local government and the health service found that:

  • Nearly one worker in five (18%) was bullied in the past six months.
  • Anger, stress and powerlessness were the most common reactions.
  • In terms of their position, more than eight bullies in 10 were managers.