Non teaching staff in Higher Education are not only the lowest paid in the public sector, but also face abuse from managers, colleagues and students, with 20% suffering some form of violence, a UNISON survey has revealed.
In a survey of its members in Higher Education, the union has found that support staff are treated with very little respect for the services they provide to academics and students.
Around 20% of staff surveyed replied that they had faced some form of violence. 84% of this was serious verbal abuse, but 15% had suffered a violent attack.
One third of women responded that they had endured sexual harrasment and 20% of minority ethnic groups surveyed faced some form of racism.
Speaking before the unions annual conference, Christina McAnea, UNISON Head of Education Services said: