Preventing bullying and harassment

Final Report Published - June 2011

The Society has now published the report "Preventing Bullying and Harassment in the Profession", which can be down loaded here.

In addition new guidance has been developed to help individuals and employers prevent and tackle bullying within the profession, which can be down loaded  here. 

This study builds on Profile of the Profession research in 2006, which reported that around 22 percent of the profession had experienced bullying or harassment. The 2011 research aims to increase the Society's understanding of bullying and harassment in the profession in order to develop strategies to help prevent and manage workplace bullying and harassment.

Researchers interviewed 15 solicitors from across the career spectrum, from trainee and newly qualified to partner level and includes case studies from private practice and in-house, about their experiences of being bullied. 

The recommendations include:

• Raising awareness of bullying and harassment across the profession
• Developing policies, guidance and best practice
• Increase trainee support
• Supporting firms on building management skills
• Ongoing monitoring and intervention 

The new guidance along with the research findings will be issued to all firms in Scotland and the Society plans to hold a series of meetings and events for firms and HR managers to highlight how instances of bullying can be addressed effectively.

Call for participants

What is it about?

The Society wishes to increase our understanding of bullying and harassment, how it happens and why, so that we can develop an appropriate strategy to provide support to those affected and work with firms to promote dignity at work.

To do this, we have commissioned Equality Works to undertake a research project on bullying and harassment in the profession.

Equality Works is a specialist consultancy firm, which has been working with a wide range of public and private organisations since 1992 to promote inclusive work environments and improve organisational performance.

How can you help?

The success of this research project depends on individuals in the profession sharing their experiences, ideas and suggestions with us. We are keen to hear from people in a range of roles within the profession, from trainees to partners, paralegals and support staff.

We are seeking responses from people in the profession who:

• have experienced or witnessed bullying or harassment
• support or advise those who are victims of bullying or harassment
• have received allegations of bullying or harassment
• have ideas and suggestions or examples of good practice to share

How will your information be used?

Your information will be treated in confidence and Equality Works will work with you to ensure that information used is non-attributable. Your experiences, positive or negative, will help the Society develop an appropriate strategy to provide support to those affected and work with firms to promote dignity at work. A research report will be produced along with guidance for the legal profession.

How can I find out more or get involved?

If you would like to take part or would like more information about the project, please contact Helen Ketcher, senior client consultant, or Julius Erolin, managing consultant, on 0161 200 8540.

Alternatively, you can email us on business.services@equalityworks.co.uk and we'll arrange a good time to talk/email with you directly. Please let us know how and when you would prefer us to contact you.

We will be flexible in the way we communicate with you to help ensure discretion, confidentiality and convenience. (eg happy to meet you at a safe, neutral venue, or correspond with you by email/post if you prefer, and we will not contact you at work if you prefer us not to).

We look forward to hearing from you and working with the Society on this important project on behalf of the profession.

More information about Equality Works is available at http://www.equalityworks.co.uk/.