“I may not agree with you, but I respect you.”

Choose respect over bullying is the ongoing message of this year’s Anti-Bullying Week campaign (12-16 November). The organisers, the Anti-Bullying Alliance, say bullying is a “behaviour choice” and the aim of the campaign is to show that while we can disagree with people, we must also respect them. BSUH is currently updating and streamlining our bullying and harassment policy to make it more accessible for staff to raise concerns. We also provide dignity at work training for managers, and tailored support is available for teams where bullying has emerged as an issue. Figures from the 2017 survey showed there was a rise in the number of staff who have experienced harassment, bullying or abuse from patients or members of the public - up from up from 31% in 2016 to 37% last year. The average acute trust figure is 27%. Steps to improve staff safety are ongoing, including investing in new security equipment and procedures. Sarah Kestle, Employee Relations Team Manager says: “We know that the effect of bullying can be devasting for those involved. We’re continuing to make changes and improvements and working to eradicate bullying completely, ensuring that our zero bullying policy becomes a reality.” Our Working Together Effectively #stopbullying poster, which is prominent throughout the Trust, asks the question: Is it bullying? • When someone says or does something unintentionally hurtful and they do it once, that’s rude. • When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful and they do it once, that’s mean. • When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful and they keep doing it even when you tell them to stop or show them that you’re upset, that’s bullying. If you or your team are experiencing bullying: • Talk to your manager – problems are easier to deal with if you have an open communication channel with your manager. You can tell them about challenges you’re experiencing and find out how you can be supported to address them. • HELP - the Health Employee Learning and Psychotherapy service provides confidential support, counselling and psychotherapy for a range of issues. Visit nww.bsuh.nhs.uk/working-here/humanresources/ advice-support-and-wellbeing/help-health-employee-learning-and-psychotherapyservices/ • Connections - an impartial and confidential listening and signposting service to discuss concerns that may be affecting you at work. Contact ext. 67452/64254 or email Connections@bsuh.nhs.uk to make an appointment. • Freedom to speak up guardian - gives support and advice if you are worried about patient care, safety or risk. Contact Caroline Owens, Ext. 62870, Mob. 07387 259307. • Employee Relations Advice Line - supports staff with issues at work, provides advice and guidance on HR policies and procedures, supports on informal and formal HR processes as appropriate, provides training for managers on HR processes. Contact on 67611 or Employee.Relations@bsuh.nhs.uk

• Occupational Health Services –provides advice and recommendations on fitness for work. They willsignpost to other services (listed above). Contact OH on x64011 or x62983.