Bullying and harassment are widespread issues in Ireland’s workplaces, a new survey has revealed.
Publishing part two of its Workplace Equality Report today, conducted amongst almost 1,300 workers in Ireland, Matrix Recruitment found that the majority of workers in Ireland (88%) say that bullying remains a significant issue in the workplace.
Almost a third (31%) reported personally experiencing bullying or harassment at work, while 23% have witnessed such behaviours. These incidents predominantly occur in physical workplaces (82%), though a notable minority also report incidents within virtual settings (7%).
Victims detailed a range of bullying behaviours, from passive-aggressive remarks (66%) to unjust criticism in front of colleagues (66%), being treated differently compared to colleagues (57%), the target of disparaging remarks on a regular basis (44%) and verbally abused (31%). A small number of respondents (8%) also reported sexual harassment by colleagues or supervisors.
The impact of bullying in the workplace on employee retention was clear, with over a third (38%) saying they have left a job due to such experiences, and another 35% considered leaving.
When it comes to addressing discrimination, bullying, or harassment, 55% of respondents have reported issues to HR or senior leaders. However, only 20% felt these issues were resolved promptly and discreetly. Among those who chose not to report, almost half (49%) cited concerns over how the issue would be handled internally, while 39% of victims feared that reporting could worsen the situation. Interestingly, women were more concerned than men when it came to how the issue would be handled (51% of women versus 39% of men) and if reporting would worsen the situation (42% of women versus 30% of men).
Rena Weld, Regional Recruitment Manager at Matrix Recruitment, commented on the findings: “These results reveal an urgent need for action to address the systemic challenges in our workplaces. Companies must focus on creating equitable environments where every individual can thrive without fear of harassment or bullying. It’s clear from our survey that the current mechanisms for reporting bullying need significant improvement; it’s not just a matter of policy, it’s simply a matter of doing right by your staff.”
On the topic of parental leave, the Matrix Recruitment Workplace Equality Report reveal that over half of the surveyed workers (56%) feel that taking parental leave could negatively impact career progression. Of those, 60% were female.
Highlighting a concerning lack of adequate flexibility for employees with caregiving responsibilities (for children, elderly etc), almost one in two workers (48%) say their workplace falls short in offering necessary flexibility, which can place parents and caregivers in difficult situations. Over a third (36%) of respondents felt their workplace provided sufficient support to balance caregiving roles.
Speaking on the findings, Rena Weld said: “Ireland’s workplaces need to create environments where parents and caregivers feel supported and encouraged. The reality is that employees with caregiving responsibilities contribute significantly to the workforce and deserve career opportunities that aren’t compromised by their commitments outside of work. Employers who recognise and act on this will benefit from higher retention and increased morale among staff, ultimately creating a stronger, more resilient workforce.”
