Nicosia:The results of a recent survey conducted by PASYDY have highlighted a significant issue of workplace bullying within the public and wider public sector in Cyprus. The survey, presented on Wednesday, revealed that 62% of participants reported experiencing humiliating, offensive, or intimidating behavior over the past five years.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Minister for Labour and Social Insurance, Marinos Moushiouttas, emphasized the urgency of addressing workplace bullying, stating that the findings leave no room for complacency. He noted that six out of ten employees have faced such behavior and highlighted the gender dimension of the problem, with women rating the workplace climate more negatively.
The Minister stressed the importance of a systematic response to workplace bullying and mentioned that Cyprus has ratified International Labour Organisation Convention No. 190, with plans to implement a specific law addressing workplace violence and harassment by 2025. He also outlined three essential measures raising awareness, establishing trust-inspiring mechanisms, and providing manager training.
Stratis Matthaiou, the General Secretary of PASYDY, described the survey's findings as revealing the hierarchical nature of the problem, with 64% of bullying cases involving a perpetrator higher up in the hierarchy. He called for an institutionalized dialogue to create a comprehensive framework to prevent and tackle workplace bullying.
Dr. Anna Pilavaki, Chair of the Board of Directors of the 'Hypatia' Foundation, highlighted that women are particularly vulnerable, with a higher percentage reporting experiences of bullying compared to men. She expressed concern over the low rate of formal complaints and the lack of confidence in existing mechanisms, noting that many employees perceive a culture of tolerance towards abusive behavior.
Dr. Pilavaki concluded that both women and men agree on the need for an independent complaints mechanism and effective protection against reprisals as key solutions to address workplace bullying.