Met report highlights need for independent employee protection
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At HR2day, we want all businesses to learn lessons from the independent report highlighting institutional failings within the Metropolitan Police.
The 363-page report by Louise Casey published recently found that the London police force was guilty of institutional racism, misogyny and homophobia, and that there was evidence of reports going ignored.
We feel that that, if an organisation like the Met has such issues, then all businesses could benefit from a check up to make sure their employees are protected from abusive behaviour.
A recent YouGov poll found that 29 per cent of respondents reported being victims of work place bullying, with women 11 per cent more likely to be victims of sexism or sex-related harassment. A further YouGov survey found that nearly one in five people identifying as gay, lesbian or bisexual had experienced verbal bullying at work.
Nicky Jolley, our founder and managing director, said: “The shocking content of Baroness Casey’s report must not be ignored, and should not be shrugged off as just a ‘London’ or ‘police’ problem. Bullying and discrimination at work can have real world problems for all businesses.
“From increased absences to decreased productivity to reputational damage, as has happened with the Met, the effects of workplace bullying can cast a long shadow if it goes unchecked.
“Many smaller businesses shy away from HR because they can’t afford to hire the team they need, so either hire one person to try and do everything or go without HR support at all, which is what leads to rot setting in and going unchecked. My team have been happy to help many businesses who needed the support of a department for a fraction of the cost of a full-time employee.
“Organisations of any size can find themselves slipping into bad behaviour. We have worked with some fantastic companies and, unfortunately, some companies that have needed a great deal of support to avoid consequences.
“I think this report needs to be a watershed moment that reshapes the culture of workplaces, and HR will be the key to getting it right.”
