Bullying and respect at work

That this House notes that 15 per cent of people have experienced bullying at work in the UK which is not related to any protected characteristic; observes that this amounts to 4.9 million people employed in the UK; further notes that the Health and Safety Executive highlights that 17 million days of work were lost last year due to work related stress, depression or anxiety; believes that bullying at work can have a significant impact on someone’s mental health and can lead to the loss of employment for the target of the bullying; further notes that workplace conflict is costing UK companies £28.5 billion each year; and calls on the Government to provide for a statutory definition of bullying at work, no matter the workplace or employment status, to enable people to bring their case to an Employment Tribunal, to give the Equality and Human Rights Commission new powers to investigate organisations and to take enforcement action where there is evidence of bullying and to establish and promote a respect at work code to set minimum standards for positive and respectful work environments.