A survey released today shows that the highest rates of workplace bullying are in education, public administration, and health and social work.
The ESRI survey of workers and employers was published this morning by the Minister for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen.
7.9% of respondents to the survey said that they had been bullied within the past six months, an increase of almost a percentage point on a similar survey carried out six years ago.
The survey shows that women are more at risk of being bullied than men - 10.7% of women surveyed said they were bullied.
The rate of bullying is higher in the public sector than in the private sector.
Mr Killeen said the figures were disappointing considering the increased level of awareness of the effects of bullying.
He has expressed particular concern over the finding that 39% of public sector employees regarded bullying of their colleagues to be a problem.
