AN ANTI-bullying policy has been drawn up to stamp out anti-social behaviour in City of York Council.

The new guidelines, set to be accepted by the council's Executive on Friday, widen existing rules.

Helen Mayer, the council's strategy and planning adviser, said: "The current harassment procedure is designed to deal with complaints of harassment on the grounds of sex, race or disability.

"However, it has been found that the majority of complaints have been about perceived bullying."The new guidelines set out how bullying is defined, how a member of staff should complain, and details of the investigation procedure.

Opportunities are given to take informal action, to involve mediators in the workplace or to lodge a formal complaint.

The report states: "City of York Council is committed to providing a working environment that ensures all employees are treated with dignity and respect at work."The council will not tolerate bullying or harassment. City of York Council promises to take an allegation of bullying or harassment seriously, deal with it in confidence and support employees throughout the investigation and any resulting disciplinary process."

Bullying and harassment are increasingly recognised as being harmful to employees, and can result in stress related illness, mental health problems and anxiety.

Recent research suggested that the national economy was losing about £2 billion every year because of intimidation at work.

A similar policy is set to be adopted by Harrogate Borough Council to wipe out bullying at any of its facilities.

Sara Atkins, the council's play development officer who has drawn up the strategy, said it provides children, parents and staff with information about what can be done about harassment.

adam.nichols@ycp.co.uk