Anger over bullying at work talks

A ROW has erupted between Central Beds Council (CBC) and workers’ union GMB after a meeting to tackle bullying in the workplace turned sour.

The union claims a recent survey revealed a number of its 130 CBC members have experienced bullying and harassment at work and called on the council to launch a full independent inquiry into the allegations.

But the council blasted the survey as “so general that it is of limited value” and claimed the respondents may not even be CBC employees.

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Chief executive Richard Carr said: “We had hoped to be able to discuss with GMB officials specific information, but this wasn’t provided to us.

“While we did consider their recent survey, the fact that this was anonymous means that it is not clear which respondents are actually employees of the council rather than other organisations, such as schools.

“Unfortunately the information from GMB is so general that it is of limited value and makes it impossible for us to identify and respond to individual allegations.”

GMB hit back, pointing out that any survey into bullying is anonymous in order to protect those who speak up from possible recriminations.

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It claims the council sought out individual names of the whistleblowers – a practice the union branded as “extremely concerning”.

GMB senior organiser Warren Kenny said: “GMB will consult our members on the very disappointing refusal by Central Beds Council to agree to a fully independent inquiry into the bullying and harassment allegations identified in our recent survey.

“GMB believes an independent inquiry is a real opportunity for the council to take a long hard look in the mirror at its current practices and procedures and is one which any reasonable employer would pursue to address the concerns of its workforce.

“If the GMB survey results have given the council a stark warning of the true feeling among staff then the council would be wise to listen.”

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And in a swipe at the council’s “limited value” claim, Mr Kenny added: “If Central Beds Council is attempting to suggest that the GMB survey is inaccurate or misleading then it should have nothing to fear by agreeing to an independent inquiry which can clear this matter up once and for all.”

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