2. Bullying in the Workplace Finsec’s Experience

3. Agenda 1. Who is Finsec? 2.What are the bullying issues in the finance sector? 3.What is Finsec doing about these issues? 4.What are the key challenges for employers?

4. 1.Who is Finsec The Finance Sector Union – approximately 7,000 members 90% of members work in the large retail banks, the balance across insurance and finance companies Over 80% women membership Most have performance pay systems

5. 2. What are the bullying issues in the finance sector? Systems and Processes used are structurally “bullying based” Some managers take their lead from the way they are treated and the climate in which they work and bully others Performance pay systems encourage competition amongst staff, not cooperation A bullying culture is endemic in the industry

6. 3. What is Finsec doing about these issues? Actively seeking to engage with employers around bullying related issues such as low staffing levels, job / role design, target setting mechanisms and performance monitoring systems etc. Actively and publicly opposing performance pay systems

7. 3a. What is Finsec doing about these issues? Have run an industry wide half day seminar on the issue for employers with guest speakers – well attended Designed and run a specific membership education course – ‘Dignity in the Workplace’ to help equip members to deal collectively with bullying Attempting to get employers to deal consistently with bullying issues

8. 4. What are the key challenges for employers? Testing systems and processes for institutionalised bullying Seriously considering the benefits versus the negatives of performance pay Understanding that running lean / mean business machines encourages bullying behaviour Holding senior management to account for institutionalised bullying and others accountable for individualised bullying - consistently