Madam, - Congratulations on publishing Mark Harrold's articles on bullying in the workplace in your Health Supplement of April 19th and 26th.
For far too long this soul-destroying behaviour has been ignored by organisations and in some cases it has even been rewarded by managements, much to the dismay of the victims whose lives have been torn apart. Only someone who has experienced this awful ordeal, or a loved one who has watched helplessly as their friend or partner struggles to come to terms with it, can understand the awful effect of bullying on people's lives.
There is no excuse for bullying - no end that can morally justify it. A teenager once accurately described it as the gradual breaking down of a person. This is no different whether it takes place in the school, home or workplace.
Under current legislation the odds are stacked in favour of the bully. This needs to be changed and an independent body, with adequate powers, set up to go into organisations and investigate specific cases. An organisation cannot audit itself.
I believe such a body would benefit both employers and employees as they both lose when bullying thrives. The victims usually suffer ill health caused by stress as well as financial loss - medical bills, loss of pay, etc. Additionally, bullying can have a terrible effect on victims' ability to do their work effectively and put huge pressures on their personal relationships.
I believe the time has come for both employer organisations and victim support groups to come together in a joint effort to eradicate this anti-social disease. Smoke screens only do damage - 100 per cent commitment must be given. Until this happens there can be no winners. - Yours, etc,
MARGARET BUTLER, Earls Court, Dublin 7.