Bullying at work is costing firms in the UK £13.75 billion a year, new research shows.
According to the Costs of Workplace Bullying, a research project conducted on behalf of the union Unite, workplace harassment led to the loss of 33.5 million working days through absenteeism.
This, combined with reduced productivity and increased staff turnover, contributed to the overall cost of bullying to the UK economy.
According to the report, black, minority and ethnic workers are less likely to be offered support, but more likely to be targets of bullying.
The report's main author, Dr Sabir Giga from the University of Bradford, said: "Employers must develop a zero tolerance to bullying so that all workers are treated with dignity and respect."
A recent report by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation found that 78 per cent of recruitment firms have been asked by employers to filter out applications made by women of childbearing age.
