Concerning findings on the scale of bullying, harassment and discrimination experienced by optometrists, dispensing opticians and contact lens opticians in the work have been highlighted in the optical regulator’s annual Registrant Workforce and Perceptions Survey 2023.
More than forty percent (41%) of survey respondents reported having experienced harassment, bullying, or abuse at work in the last 12 months from patients and service users, their relatives, or other members of the public.
The same question was in an NHS staff survey in 2022, with a considerably lower figure of 28% reporting harassment or abuse in their places of work.
When it came to having experienced harassment, bullying, or abuse from managers, a smaller proportion of 18% said they had been subjected to that treatment, with 16% reporting similar experiences from other colleagues.
In NHS staff survey results, these figures were 11% and 19% respectively, suggesting manager culture within the wider NHS is more disciplined.
Reporting abuse
Surprisingly, just 29% of respondents from the GOC’s survey said they or a colleague had reported the experience to a relevant HR contact. Subgroup analysis found dispensing opticians and student dispensing opticians, those who worked in a hospital or multiple practice, those in Scotland, younger respondents, female respondents, those with a disability, and those of non-heterosexual/straight sexual orientation were more likely to report this treatment from patients, service users, their relatives, or other members of the public.
When looking specifically at reporting harassment from their managers, it was student optometrists, locums, younger respondents, female respondents, respondents from ethnic minority backgrounds, and those with a disability that were more likely to report experience of harassment, bullying or abuse.
Racial discrimination
Discrimination was also found to be prevalent in optical practices, with 24% of survey respondents stating they had experienced discrimination from patients and service users, their relatives, or members of the public.
The most common form of discrimination was racial (44%), followed by sex and age-based discrimination (each 32%).
As with harassment, bullying and abuse, smaller proportions indicated that they had experienced discrimination from managers (11%), other colleagues (8%), or tutors/lecturers/supervisors (8%).
Across all questions on harassment, bullying, abuse, or discrimination, respondents aged under 35 and those with a disability were significantly more likely to have experienced negative treatment in the workplace.
GOC director of regulatory strategy, Steve Brooker, said the survey’s findings on harrasssment and bullying were ‘deeply concerning’ and had prompted the regulator into looking at new measures to address the problem.
‘It is critical for public protection and patient care that registrants can work in supportive environments without fear of abuse’, said Brooker. ‘If unhealthy workplace cultures and disillusionment are forcing registrants out of the profession, this will add to workforce shortages and ultimately frustrate the sector’s ambitions to deliver more enhanced clinical eye care services in the community.
‘We are reviewing our standards of practice and will carefully consider any necessary changes that would support registrants by improving workplace cultures.
‘This is a shared problem that needs to be met with a sector-wide coordinated effort. To this end, we will convene a meeting of sector leaders and experts to discuss these issues and plot the most effective steps in addressing them.’
Workload and stress
Data collected on burnout, stress and disillusionment among registrants showed significant amounts of dissatisfaction among respondents, with one in seven registrants thinking of leaving the profession in the next two years – the same number as in 2022.
The main reasons for dissatisfaction were not feeling valued, heavy workloads, and poor salaries. Workload pressures remained high, with 52% of respondents reported working beyond their hours and 37% feeling unable to cope with their workload.
These figures were lower than in the 2022 survey (57% and 41%, respectively), but similar to the 2021 findings.
Despite this, overall satisfaction levels among respondents have remained stable, with 62% of respondents satisfied with their role or job over the past 12 months – the same figure as in 2022. While 20% felt dissatisfied, which was down from 21% last year.
Rewarding and interesting work, a good working environment, and a good work-life balance were key drivers for job satisfaction. Student dispensing opticians, those working in a hospital or in education/academia, and those working full-time all reported higher levels of satisfaction.