Teachers do bully teachers

Ridicule, gossip, exclusion, belittlement - according to reports, all of these happen in the staffroom too. A survey of bullying of teachers in the workplace will be carried out by the ASTI over the coming months to establish the extent and the seriousness of it.

According to Dr Mona O'Moore of TCD's Anti-Bullying Unit, in an address to union's bullying sub-committee last month, there can be many types of bullying. These include manipulation of reputations through rumour, gossip or ridicule; not allowing people to speak; shouting down or loud voiced criticism; social exclusion or isolation; manipulation through giving meaningless tasks or not giving any work; and physical abuse or threats. It's planned to conduct the survey by questionnaire sent on a random basis to an appropriate sample of ASTI members. Suggestions on the general issue of bullying of teachers are welcomed.