Write to your MP and ask them to help stop bullying at work!
Workplace bullying is a pervasive and widespread problem in the UK. As you may know, research suggests 4.9 million people in the UK have experienced bullying at work. It is a major cause of stress and anxiety for those involved and puts added strain on our overstretched mental health services. Workplace conflict is also estimated to be costing UK businesses over £28bn each year.
Right now, less than half of those who experience bullying report it, and many of those who have reported find that their situation gets worse. Unlike harassment and discrimination, there is currently no legal definition of bullying at work, and no simple path to a legal redress for those affected. This means very few claims can be taken to court, and even then in most cases people must leave their jobs first . This situation needs to be addressed. It’s time for change!
As a starting point, on July 11th I presented my new Bullying and Respect at Work Bill that would:
– Provide a legal definition of bullying
– Introduce a Respect at Work code
– Provide new legal routes for people to pursue bullying claims without leaving their jobs
If you would like to help me put an end to workplace bullying, please write to your MP and ask them to sign up to support EDM 1426 – Bullying and Respect at Work which calls for this change. I have provided a template letter below, and you can copy and paste this and use a website such as WriteToThem or TheyWorkForYou to find the email address of your MP.
Thank you – and let’s stop bullying at work!
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Letter Template
{YOUR FULL ADDRESS}
{YOUR POSTCODE}
{DATE}
Dear {MP NAME},
My names is {YOUR NAME} and I am a constituent of {YOUR CONSTITUENCY}. I am writing to you today because I am concerned about the issue of bullying at work, and the impact this is having on both those affected and our wider society.
Bullying can have a significant impact on someone’s mental and physical health and can lead to people leaving or losing their job. Research has found that 15 per cent of people have experienced bullying at work in the UK, which is not related to any protected characteristic – that is currently estimated to be around 4.9 million people employed in the UK who have been affected by this. Bullying also has a major impact on businesses and the economy, with 17 million days of work lost last year due to work related stress, depression, or anxiety. Workplace conflict is costing UK companies £28.5 billion each year.
This is something that’s particularly important to me as {EXPLAIN KEY REASONS AND ANY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES THAT HAVE INFORMED THIS}.
I am asking you to take the following steps to address my concerns:
- Support Rachael Maskell’s EDM 1426 calling for the Government to recognise the issue of bullying, and take actions that would help to stop bullying, and ensure respect at work.
- Contact Rachael to join the new APPG on Bullying and Respect at work that is due to launch in the Autumn
- Support Rachael Maskell’s Bullying and Respect at Work Bill when it returns to Parliament;
- Show your support for legislation and the EDM on social media using the hashtags #StopBullyingAtWork #BackTheBullyingBill
If you feel unable to do these things, please could you write to me explaining your reasons for not supporting this essential change, detailing what other actions you plan to take to tackle this issue. If you are unable to address this personally, I would like to request that you escalate my letter to the relevant Minister or department.
Please do keep me informed of any progress made.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
{YOUR NAME}