Bullying in the workplace is on the increase, says the union, and it wants its members to be better equipped to respond. As well as the Bullying at Work guide, the ATL offers its members a 24-hour stress helpline, where teachers and lecturers can turn for advice in a crisis. The Bullying at Work guide is specifically targeted at the union's members in further education, a sector that has gained an unhappy reputation for aggressive management and a bruising approach to industrial relations. The guide offers advice to its members on how to respond to bullying, beginning with an informal protest and then initiating formal proceedings against a bullying manager, such as using a college grievance or disciplinary procedure. The union also gives examples of how anti-discrimination and health and safety legislation can be used in some cases to stop bullying.
Bullying is all too common in colleges.
Sometimes principals simply abuse their power. Sometimes they cope with their own stress by placing others under relentless pressure. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.