A survey of employees at Gloucestershire County Council has revealed a serious bullying problem, according to union sources.
The council’s own staff survey, released earlier this year, found that 11 per cent of employees had been bullied in the workplace.
But a new survey by public sector union Unison suggests that the true figure is much higher.
Of 4,000 survey forms sent out to its members at the council, 1,124 were returned.
More than 62 per cent of those claimed they had been bullied at the council and 27 per cent said they were still being bullied.
A Unison spokeswoman said common complaints included people being treated badly by their managers and being forced to work long hours.
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The council said measures exist to identify and tackle bullying, including surveys, a bullying and harassment network, a new policy and management guidelines.
“We will not tolerate bullying in the county council and look forward to working with the unions to tackle it,” a spokesperson for the council said.