Tackling bullying and harassment in the NHS: the critical roles played by managers

It seems more pertinent than ever to raise the critical importance of the role played by managers in stopping this most malevolent of issues. Failing to do so will lead to even greater problems for managers, leaders, the wider NHS workforce and ultimately patients.

Bullying and harassment

What is bullying and harassment? Why are these issues such a problem in the NHS? Who is at fault and what can we do about them?

In the annual survey to NHS staff, participants were asked ‘In the last 12 months have you personally experienced harassment, bullying or abuse at work from’ and includes three response possibilities: a) patients/service users, their relatives or members of the public; b) managers; or c) other colleagues. Immediately the respondent to the survey has to interpret for themselves what bullying, harassment and abuse mean and, having done so, respond accordingly. Research shows that when survey respondents are