Council to show bullying the red light

A new campaign is soon being launched to help nip workplace bullying in the bud at Swansea Council.

The campaign, called Show Bullying the Red Light, has been created by staff for the benefit of other staff.

It will include the introduction of dozens of volunteer ‘bully buddies’, who’ll soon be on hand to support staff who are either experiencing bullying or being accused of it. Comprehensive information will also be made available to point staff in the right direction of confidential and impartial support.

The new campaign follows on from a council staff survey in 2015 that showed the number of staff who felt they’d experienced bullying by a manager or a colleague had dropped to 11% from 24% the year before.

Cllr Clive Lloyd, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Transformation and Performance, said: “Bullying has no place whatsoever in the workplace, so it’s very encouraging that our staff are determined to build on some of the progress that’s already been made by launching a campaign of their own.

“It’s inevitable that there will be some experiences of bullying and harassment in any large organisation like the council that employs many thousands of people, but the results of recent staff surveys show we are heading in the right direction.

“Bullying can have a devastating effect on people’s confidence, creativity, self-esteem, productivity and mental health. Nobody should have to suffer in silence or dread going to work because of bullying, so all staff involved in the new campaign deserve enormous credit.

“The new campaign has the unanimous support of senior officers and members at the council.”

The campaign, being launched on April 11, will add to a range of other support that’s already available.