Moray Council is introducing a programme of “cultural change” to tackle bullying in the workplace.
The move has been prompted by accusations that staff are being harassed by bosses, colleagues and the general public.
A recent employee survey suggested 30% of respondents had been bullied during the past year while carrying out their jobs.
Speaking yesterday, councillor Mike Shand said he was deeply worried by the results.
He said: “This should be a ‘mea culpa’ moment for this organisation because we have done nothing about it in the past.
“I welcome this report but we really should have done something years ago.”
Councillors agreed yesterday to set up a working group, comprised of councillors and trade union representatives, to suggest possible solutions.
Of the council staff who answered the survey, 40% said they had been victimised by their boss, 36% by colleagues, 25% by members of the public and 22% by supervisors.
Unpleasant remarks made up 42% of cases, intimidation 36% and excessive criticism or monitoring of work 37%.
A total of 5,181 survey forms were handed out to council staff in May and 1,506 were returned – giving a response rate of 29%.
Council convener Stewart Cree said: “It would be great to live in a world where there was no bullying or harassment. Unfortunately, this sort of behaviour is all too often experienced.
“We have to try and establish an environment where we try to act with courtesy and respect all day every day.
“It is possible to achieve cultural change but it might take a long time. The breathalyzer was introduced in 1967 but it took many years before some people finally stopped drink driving.”