Professional optical bodies have jointly committed to a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, abuse, and discrimination across all working environments.
A meeting was convened by the General Optical Council on October 3 after registrants reported experiencing significant levels of bullying and harassment in a survey.
Leonie Milliner, GOC chief executive and registrar, said: ‘We were extremely concerned about the findings of our Registrant Workforce and Perceptions survey, which found that high numbers of optical professionals are experiencing bullying, harassment, abuse, or discrimination in the workplace, which go largely unreported.
‘It is critical for public protection and patient care that optical professionals can work in supportive environments without fear of abuse. Negative and unhealthy workplace cultures can have a detrimental effect on both recruitment and retention, potentially leading to workforce shortages, with consequential negative impacts on patient care.
‘We are pleased that organisations from across the optical sector are committed to working together to do more to promote positive working environments, so that optical professionals can continue to deliver excellent care to patients and communities, without fear of bullying, harassment, abuse and discrimination.’
Damaging behaviour
Widespread workplace bullying was reported by registrants in the GOC’s Registrant Workforce and Perceptions survey, which was published in July (Optician, August 3).
In the last 12 months, 41% of respondents experienced harassment, bullying, or abuse at work from patients and service users, their relatives, or other members of the public.
Eighteen per-cent reported experiencing harassment, bullying, or abuse from managers, and 16% experienced this treatment from other colleagues.
Of respondents, 24% 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%).
In a joint statement, signatories said there were worrying levels of GOC registrants who experienced this type of negative and damaging behaviour. Furthermore, many registrants felt unable to report their experiences.
Survey data revealed that registrants with one or more protected characteristics were more likely to report bullying, harassment, abuse, and discrimination at work.
Protected characteristics included: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
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 who were more likely to report experience of harassment, bullying or abuse.
Joint statement issued
In response to these findings, optical bodies committed to working together to promote a safe and positive working environment for all members of the optical team.
The statement said: ‘Discriminatory and unacceptable behaviours can have damaging effects on the mental health and wellbeing of individuals and teams, which in turn can impact on patient care.
‘As a sector we are committed to a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, abuse, and discrimination across all working environments.
‘We all commit to promoting and embedding a positive working environment that is based on respect, civility, compassion, and inclusion. We will be working together to support all team members with the support and tools they need to help achieve this.’
Signatories included: AOP, ABDO, AIO, FODO, GOC, Locsu, OCCS, Optometry Wales, Optometry NI, Optometry Scotland, Optometry Schools Council, and the College of Optometrists.