Businesses are being urged to adopt a zero tolerance policy towards workplace bullying in the wake of the furore surrounding Channel 4’s Big
Brother reality TV programme, by leading UK employment expert Croner.

Richard Smith, employment services director at Croner, says: “Like the bullying Shilpa Shetty is receiving, there are many victims of bullying in the workplace. It’s an issue that costs British industry dearly - more than £2bn a year in sick pay, staff turnover and loss of production.

“What many employers don’t realise is that they can be held ‘vicariously liable’ for the bullying behaviour of their staff - even if they have no knowledge of employees’ acts and do not condone them.”

Croner advises employers that a bullying prevention policy should include: a definition and explanation of bullying, a statement of commitment from senior management, examples of unacceptable behaviour and a statement that bullying may be treated as a disciplinary offence.