IUA welcomes the findings of the National Survey of Staff Experiences of Bullying in Irish Higher Education Institutions report conducted by the DCU Anti Bullying Centre. The report provides not only insight into the prevalence of bullying and cyberbullying in our HEIs, but it also provides very interesting data into survey respondents’ experiences of witnessing bullying at work, and their responses to it (i.e. bystander behaviour). We note that approximately 50% of respondents who were witnesses to bullying behaviour took action in response. We will continue to develop programmes and initiatives to increase this number.
The report also indicates that ongoing work needs to be done to communicate institutional anti-bullying policies. While we welcome the strong support among respondents for the statement that ‘Bullying is against the values of my workplace’, we will continue to work with the HEA and other stakeholders to implement the Report’s recommendations, particularly in relation to awareness, education, and training.
Universities have policies and supports in place to prevent and address instances of bullying and would encourage any staff member who feels that they are experiencing bullying to seek advice and support from the range of university services that are available, and/or from their recognised representative trade union.
Tony McMahon, Associate Director HR & EDI with IUA commented that “Universities are continuously working on the quality and effectiveness of our dignity and respect policies. This report will help us to focus and sharpen our efforts in this regard”.
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For further information please contact
Kate Wood, IUA Media and Digital Content Manager, kate.wood@iua.ie
Tony McMahon, IUA Associate Director for HR and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, tony.mcmahon@iua.ie