Fewer bullies in hotels, says new TUC report

Hotel staff are less likely to be bullied than workers in other industries, according to a report just published.

The research, carried out by the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology and supported by the TUC, reveals that almost half of all employees in Britain (47%) have witnessed bullying at work.

One in 10 claims to have been bullied in the past six months - in the hotel industry this figure is lower, at 7.4%.

Teachers and people working in the prison service or the performing arts are twice as likely to be bullied as hotel workers.

The survey does not give figures for the restaurant or catering industries.

Professor Cary Cooper, one of the authors of the study, does not believe that the results should give rise to complacency among hoteliers.

He said: "Bullying is the result of long hours and job insecurity. You get this in the hotel industry just as any other. Managers themselves are under a lot of stress - they cannot cope so they adopt a bullying strategy."

TUC general secretary John Monks added: "Bullying is rife at work and no workplace is immune." The study suggests that 18 million working days are lost each year due to the effects of bullying.

A total of 5,300 people, from 70 organisations, took part in the survey.

by Louise Bozec

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 17-23 February 2000