Harassment and hate crime at work

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Conference
2013 National LGBT Conference
Date
1 October 2013
Decision
Carried

Conference notes the 2011 report ‘Insight into ill-treatment in the workplace’ funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and supported by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service and Equality and Human Rights Commission. This reported that just under half the British workforce had experienced unreasonable treatment at work over a two year period. It highlighted how disabled or lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) workers are even more likely to suffer ill treatment.

With the fragmentation of workplaces and the rapid growth of the third sector providing public services, this increase of reported ill treatment is disturbing. The harassment of workers has a debilitating effect on workers. Stress and anxiety can increase periods of sickness by employees and can lead to them being taken down the capability route, as opposed to the underlying problem being tackled.

Conference notes that disabled LGBT workers can have higher incidences of sickness even before a toxic workplace is considered.

Conference calls on the national LGBT committee to:

1)Continue to promote the ways to tackle harassment and hate crime at work;

2)Highlight the support that UNISON offers, including our welfare charity There for you;

3)Work with Learning and Organising Services to ensure that new stewards’ training includes a particular focus on members who are disproportionately at risk from bullying at work.