Following revelations over recent years about exploitation and abusive organisational cultures within the charity sector, there has been a rise in public and political concern about the possibility of misconduct taking place within charities, including bullying behaviour.
This report shines a light on the experiences of people who have been bullied in a charity workplace. It highlights the emotional harm it causes, making six recommendations to create safer systems, processes and cultures.
Our investigation draws upon the voices of victims of bullying in charities to describe the conditions in which it occurs and might persist and to provide analysis and recommendations for what charity leaders should do to create safer working cultures. By listening to detailed narrative accounts, we have sought to gain insight into the extent to which current policy and guidance supports victims and organisations to deal with bullying. This report is intended to be read by staff, managers and leaders within the charity sector, policy makers, as well as the victims of bullying who participated in the online survey and interviews.
