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Bullying and Respect at Work
11 July 2023
Lead MP
Rachael Maskell
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Employment
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Rachael Maskell raised concerns about bullying and respect at work in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Ms. Maskell moved a Bill to provide for a statutory definition of bullying at work, enabling claims relating to workplace bullying to be considered by an employment tribunal; to give powers to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission to investigate workplaces and organisations where there is evidence of a culture of, or multiple incidents of, bullying; and for connected purposes. She highlighted that 29% of workers experience workplace bullying at some point and one in ten have experienced it within the last six months. The Bill aims to promote respect at work by setting minimum standards for positive and respectful work environments, providing legal protection against bullying.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Ms. Maskell emphasised the lack of legal definition and protections for those experiencing workplace bullying, noting that it costs UK businesses £18 billion a year and results in over 17 million working days lost annually due to negative work-related behaviors such as bullying. She detailed how bullying can be organisational or peer-on-peer, causing lasting trauma and even loss of lives. The Bill seeks to provide legal protection for workers without protected characteristics under the Equality Act.
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.