Trinity College’s Anti-Bullying Centre hosts the Fifth International Conference on Workplace Bullying

Posted on: 19 June 2006

“The prevention of bullying in the workplace is not a quick fix solution. It requires support from all sectors – industry, professional, community and unions in order for governments to address the issue with the appropriate legislation,” according to Professor Michelle Barker of Griffith University, Australia, who spoke at the Fifth International Conference on Workplace Bullying hosted by Trinity College’s Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre on 15-17 June last.

The international conference which was officially launched by the Minister for Trade and Commerce, Mr Michael Ahern TD, focused on bullying, violence and aggression in the workplace and their prevention. A series of international experts spoke on the subject.

The Swedish model where there is specific legislation in place to deal with bullying in the workplace was outlined and assessed by Dr Helge Hoel, University of Manchester.

Professor Ståle Enarsen of the University of Bergen, Norway, highlighted the need for more studies to be published in the area of intervention and rehabilitation with a view to problem management and prevention.

The conference which featured a range of practitioners and researchers from around the world offered a unique opportunity for Irish researchers, human resource professionals, lawyers and mediators to learn from international research and case studies.

The keynote speakers included Duncan Lewis, of the Business School, University of Glamorgan who spoke on Bullying and Xenophobia, Professor Michelle Barker, of Griffith University Australia and Dr Helge Hoel, of the Business School, University of Manchester.

Sessions of particular Irish Interest included

Investigation into Upwards Bullying amongst Management – Irish Psychologist, Torum Dahl

Bullying in the University of Life, Christopher Lewis, NUI Galway

The Present Defects of the Irish Law Regarding Workplace Bullying and Possible Solutions, Murray Smith, Trinity’s Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre

Going Forward, Tom Clonan, DIT

Policy in the Public Sector, Margaret Hodgins, NUI Galway