Special guests at event on workplace bullying and stress

Bullying and stress is the topic featured in the first meeting of 2012 being held by the Swindon Mindful Employer Network . It takes place on Thursday 1 March 10.00am at the De Vere Village Hotel in Swindon and will feature employment lawyer Paul Archer from Lemon & Co. Paul will also take part in a discussion panel in the second half of the event and will be joined by Stuart Dark and Neil Harvey of UNISON who will share their experience of the impact of bullying on employees and the work environment. Also on the discussion panel will be Sarah Crayford Brown, specialist on mediation in the workplace.

Richmond Fellowship Wiltshire’s David Latham who manages the Swindon Mindful Employer Network comments: “It is important to get a private and public sector view on the prominence of workplace bullying and mental illness and I am very pleased that UNISON have agreed to join our discussion panel. The trade union perspective on this matter will be a valuable contribution to help employers understand how a negative business culture damages their efficiency and reputation. We are also delighted that Sarah Crayford Brown will take part in this event. Her expertise on workplace conflicts and mediation - and her years in senior management at the Crown Prosecution Service - will make this a fascinating event for all employers.”

Sarah Crayford Brown of Mediation in the Workplace comments: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to be involved in this event and to meet local employers. Tackling bullying within the workplace is an area which employers cannot afford to ignore. I spend much of my time working with organisations where a dispute has initially been caused through misunderstanding but has grown into a conflict with serious consequences for all the parties because inadequate action was taken at an earlier stage”.

Stuart Dark of UNISON says: “UNISON is pleased to be asked to contribute to this Mindful Employer network meeting. Unfortunately we deal with frequent cases of bullying and see the harm it is having on people and the work environment. Understanding and awareness of some of the complex issues surrounding bullying can be an asset in reducing such cases”.

Representatives of local employers and businesses are welcome to attend.

To book a place on this free event please email David Latham on smen@richmondfellowship.org.uk 01793 433571

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