The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has launched a training programme covering conflict resolution and personal safety.
The qualification will enable workers to assess the risk of conflict, and defuse potentially heated situations which might also lead to bullying.
According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), bullying accounts for up to 50% of stress-related workplace illnesses.
The CIPD cites employee behaviour as the number one reason for employment tribunals and estimates that bullying costs employers £2bn every year in lost revenue.
Accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, the CIEH’s new Level 2 Conflict Resolution and Personal Safety qualification can be integrated into existing health and safety training schedules and includes a six-hour training programme followed by an examination.
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Marianne Phillips, head of training at the CIEH said: “Our new qualification is a quality tool for employees and employers to build a zero tolerance to abusive behaviour.
“Confrontation can be predicted and with the right skills it can be managed and controlled. Apart from fulfilling a fundamental duty of care towards staff, employers can reap vital business benefits: increased productivity, staff retention, improved staff morale, reduction in numbers of lost working days and a lower risk of legal action,” she added.
