Almost half of all primary teachers report being bullied in schools according to an INTO survey published yesterday.
The most common form of bullying, according to the sample of 1,200 teachers, is being undermined in the workplace. This is followed by intimidation and exclusion.
The least common form of bullying reported was sexual harassment.
Nearly one in four teachers (36 per cent) reported being stressed as a result of bullying. Other effects included low self-esteem (21 per cent), low motivation (14 per cent), sick leave (7 per cent), and depression (6 per cent).
One in 20 teachers said that as a result of bullying they had decided not to seek promotion.
Stress is by far the most common result of workplace bullying for teachers.
A total of 123 teachers (11 per cent of those surveyed) said they had left a job in a school as a result of poor staff relations. Another 11 per cent said they had considered leaving.
Yesterday, INTO general secretary John Carr said, "Existing measures to tackle the problem of workplace bullying are totally inadequate."
He called for the immediate implementation of the recommendations contained in a report by a Government-constituted expert advisory group on workplace bullying.
"The Government must ensure that there is a legal requirement to include bullying in all health and safety statements. Health and safety statements must include policies and procedures to tackle bullying," he said.
He demanded that the Employment Appeals Tribunal or the Labour Court be able to issue binding and enforceable decisions, through the courts if necessary, in cases of bullying.
"Government must commit significant resources to the Labour Relations Commission [LRC] to commission surveys and reports examining patterns and levels of workplace bullying . . . I also want the LRC to be resourced to provide mediation or investigation when it is needed."
He said there was an urgent need for an information service for employers and employees on workplace bullying.
