24/03/2004
Amicus to spearhead anti-bullying campaign
The trade union Amicus will lead a £1.8 million government-backed drive as part of what is described as "the world's largest project" to stamp out bullying and discrimination at work, the DTI has announced today.
The project will provide support, advice and training to organisations trying to deal with bullying. Some of the measures to be used include: training employees as counsellors and investigators of bullying and harassment; devising and promoting a voluntary charter on 'dignity at work'; promoting examples of excellent employers in the UK and lessons to learn; and producing a 'ban bullying' pack.
Half the project's funding will come from the DTI's Strategic Partnership Fund, which helps strengthen employer-employee relationships and improve business performance.
Speaking at a conference in London organised by Stonewall, the gay equality organisation, Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt said: "We must tackle discrimination from the cradle to the grave. People's lives should not be made a misery by bigots fuelled by hate and ignorance.
"For too many people discrimination begins at school. And for many, the discrimination, harassment, victimization and violence that they experience at school is something they have to deal with through their whole lives - particularly in the workplace."
Chris Ball, National Secretary of Amicus, said that the best approach was for key players to work in partnership.
"I'm convinced we'll find very many employers willing to work with us to develop human respect and dignity as the appropriate denominator in all workplace relationships," he said.
The project has ten partners including British Aerospace, Royal Mail, Legal and General, and British Telecom, Remploy, and will be supported by government agencies such as Acas and the Health and Safety Executive.
The Department for Education and Skills is also addressing the issue of homophobic bullying in schools as part of its wider anti-bullying strategy.
Its anti-bullying Charter for Action has been sent to all maintained schools in England, summarising effective practice in tackling all forms of bullying including homophobic bullying.
(gmcg)
The project will provide support, advice and training to organisations trying to deal with bullying. Some of the measures to be used include: training employees as counsellors and investigators of bullying and harassment; devising and promoting a voluntary charter on 'dignity at work'; promoting examples of excellent employers in the UK and lessons to learn; and producing a 'ban bullying' pack.
Half the project's funding will come from the DTI's Strategic Partnership Fund, which helps strengthen employer-employee relationships and improve business performance.
Speaking at a conference in London organised by Stonewall, the gay equality organisation, Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt said: "We must tackle discrimination from the cradle to the grave. People's lives should not be made a misery by bigots fuelled by hate and ignorance.
"For too many people discrimination begins at school. And for many, the discrimination, harassment, victimization and violence that they experience at school is something they have to deal with through their whole lives - particularly in the workplace."
Chris Ball, National Secretary of Amicus, said that the best approach was for key players to work in partnership.
"I'm convinced we'll find very many employers willing to work with us to develop human respect and dignity as the appropriate denominator in all workplace relationships," he said.
The project has ten partners including British Aerospace, Royal Mail, Legal and General, and British Telecom, Remploy, and will be supported by government agencies such as Acas and the Health and Safety Executive.
The Department for Education and Skills is also addressing the issue of homophobic bullying in schools as part of its wider anti-bullying strategy.
Its anti-bullying Charter for Action has been sent to all maintained schools in England, summarising effective practice in tackling all forms of bullying including homophobic bullying.
(gmcg)
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 November 2005
Two million people ‘bullied at work,' say TUC
Around two million people claim to have been bullied at work in the past six months, the Trade Union Congress has revealed. The TUC estimated that around 18 million working days are lost each year because of bullying.
Two million people ‘bullied at work,' say TUC
Around two million people claim to have been bullied at work in the past six months, the Trade Union Congress has revealed. The TUC estimated that around 18 million working days are lost each year because of bullying.
08 January 2002
Discrimination awards in UK reach record highs
Employment tribunals in the UK have awarded a record £3.53 million in compensation in unlawful discrimination cases in 2000. According to the latest figures, this represents an increase of 38 per cent on the total payouts made in the previous year.
Discrimination awards in UK reach record highs
Employment tribunals in the UK have awarded a record £3.53 million in compensation in unlawful discrimination cases in 2000. According to the latest figures, this represents an increase of 38 per cent on the total payouts made in the previous year.
10 August 2010
£2M For Belfast Office Refurbishment
Over £2m is to be spent on a city centre office building that is to be given a major refit and refurbishment. The project is for internal work on the Department of Finance and Personnel building at College Street, an existing six-storey 1960s building.
£2M For Belfast Office Refurbishment
Over £2m is to be spent on a city centre office building that is to be given a major refit and refurbishment. The project is for internal work on the Department of Finance and Personnel building at College Street, an existing six-storey 1960s building.
20 September 2016
£15m Emerging And Enabling Technologies Competition Launched
A new £15 million funding competition under the themes of Emerging and Enabling technologies has been announced by Innovate UK. The aim of the new competition is to help businesses innovate to find new revenue sources.
£15m Emerging And Enabling Technologies Competition Launched
A new £15 million funding competition under the themes of Emerging and Enabling technologies has been announced by Innovate UK. The aim of the new competition is to help businesses innovate to find new revenue sources.