Targets of bullying will he heartened by the judgement which sets a precedent in UK law whereby common assault includes psychological as well as physical assault. This case highlights the anomaly that existing UK law is discriminatory if you're white, British and the same gender as the bully. In November, former IT manager Donald D'Souza was awarded a record 358K damages in a race discrimination case against London Borough of Lambeth in a case spanning eight years. Bullying is present behind all forms of discrimination, harassment, prejudice, abuse and violence and therefore even if there's a strong racial or sexual slant, it's all bullying. The employer should also be vicariously liable for an employee's punitive damages.
Bullying is a major cause of trauma and often eclipses other recognised traumas such as bereavement.
In an out of court settlement in March 1998, North East Essex Mental Health NHS Trust agreed to pay 25,000 to the widow of Richard Pocock. The mental health nurse took his life as a result of stress caused by the impending closure of his place of work where he had been for for nearly 20 years. This case reminds us of the need for employers to recognise that downsizing, restructuring and reorganisation result in trauma and distress for all employees, especially those who are loyal and long-serving. Appeal Victory Lyn Witheridge won her Appeal against former employers finance giant Sun Alliance. Click here to see Lyn's press release.