THE TASK AT HAND. Session 1.- Heading to the office!

Bullying at work takes places when someone tries to intimidate another worker, often in front of the rest of colleagues. It is usually, though not always, done to someone in a less senior position, creating a constant pattern of destructive behaviour.

The number of people who suffer forms of bullying such as teasing, intimidation and physical abuse at work has doubled in the last decade, according to new figures from the big union "Unison".

Many employers have introduced policies to try to deal with the problem, but now a new law is needed to protect staff against bullies.

Many people think of bullying as a problem faced by young people at school, college or on social networking sites and expect things to be different when they enter the "professional" world of work.

But the latest research by "Unison" suggests that more than a third of workers have experienced bullying in the last six months.

Lyn Witheridge from the Andrea Adams Trust, the first charity association to deal with work place bullying, has said:

"Bullying is a brutal form of psychological torture. It is to be constantly criticized, openly humiliated, professionally undermined and isolated day after day."

Jessica, 27, from Southampton says she has experienced psychological abuse from her manager.

"A lot of the stress I was put under was mental" she said. "But the boss would also throw office us equipment in anger because things had gone wrong. Things like hole-punchers and staplers, anything that was near at the time."

Being bullied at work may not just affect people's physical and mental health , but it can also affect their personal life. Sarah, who worked in a hospital explained: "I felt really tired, I used to lose my appetite and get headaches and I didn't have the time to be with my friends or go out because I was stressed-out about having to face the next day."

More than 13 million working days a year are lost in the UK because of stress, anxiety and depression, according to recent research.

"If you're bullied, you have difficulties concentrating, making decisions, and become socially withdrawn. People who are bullied miss more days at work than people who haven't been bullied,"psychologist Carey Cooper explained.

There are laws to protect employees from discrimination covering race, gender and religion. But Hugh Robertson from the union group the "TUC" is just one of the campaigners who don't think they're enough.

"There is a need for a strong legal framework," he said. "We'd like to see a specific duty on employers to deal with bullying, and that at the moment it doesn't exist."

The government department which deals with this problem made this statement: "Bullying and harassment is never acceptable in the workplace and a change in work culture rather than legislation is key."

Note: Some names have been changed to protect the identity of bullying victims.

Text adapted from The New York Times. March, 24th, 2008.

Ways of saying "no" in English.

1. The direct "no".

   Sometimes, saying sorry, then saying no is not necessary or even appropriate. If that's the case, use the direct 'no'. For example:

   A: Are you joining us for lunch?

   B: No, no thank you.

2. The reasoned "no".

   Sometimes you feel it would be polite to offer a reason for your refusal but, on the other hand, you don't want to open up any sort of negotiation. In this case, use the reasoned 'no'. Example:

   A: We're leaving now. Are you coming with us for a drink?

   B: I can't come for a drink tonight. I've got to get this report out for tomorrow.

3. The reflecting "no".

   You want to acknowledge the request but still want to say "no" quite firmly. Example:

   A: Do you have time to go through some things now?

   B: I know you want to talk to me about the meeting arrangements but I can't do it today.

4. The raincheck "no".

   This is similar to the reflecting 'no'. It's not so much saying 'no' as saying this is not a good time. Example:

   A: Could you check through these figures for me?

   B: I can't right now, but I could some time tomorrow.

   Be careful! only use this if you really do want to accept the request at a later date. Don't use it if you really mean 'no'.

5. The unwavering 'no'.

   This is how you have to deal with pests – people who don't hear 'no'.

   A: Come on let's go for lunch.

   B: No, I'm not going out for lunch today.

   A: Oh, please, it won't take long.

   B: No, I'm not going out for lunch today.

   A: Oh, go on, I'll pay.

   B: No, I'm not going out for lunch today.

Text adapted from English for Personal Assistants by Annie Broadhead and Ginni Light.