A leading specialist on mediation in the workplace is joined by a top Swindon lawyer and local representatives from public sector trade union UNISON in a special awareness session on workplace bullying and stress.
The free event is the first of 2012 to be staged by the Swindon Mindful Employer Network and takes place from 10am to 12.15pm on Thursday March 1 at Swindon’s De Vere Village Hotel.
Paul Archer, employment lawyer at Swindon law firm Lemon&Co will look at the issue of workplace bullying and stress in the first half of the meeting. He will then be joined on the discussion panel by barrister and mediator Sarah Crayford Brown, of Chippenham-based Mediation In The Workplace, and Stuart Dark and Neil Harvey of UNISON, who will share their experiences of the impact of bullying on employees and the work environment.
Richmond Fellowship Wiltshire’s David Latham who manages the Swindon Mindful Employer Network said: “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 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 added: “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 said: “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 from businesses of all sizes are welcome to attend. To book a place on this free event call David Latham on 01793 433571 or email smen@richmondfellowship.org.uk
