This month is WorkSafe Tasmania month, during which Unions across the state have embarked on a quest to find out how much bullying is going on, and what can be done about it.

Recently-released figures do show some improvement, with a reduction in harassment and bullying injuries reported.

This is not nearly enough for Unions Tasmania secretary Kevin Harkins, who says it must be stamped out.

“Bullying can have a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of the targeted individuals and can result in depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, headaches, lowered self-esteem and even suicidal thoughts,” Mr Harkins said.

“Time off work is often then required to treat the physical and psychological effects of bullying, or the person leaves their job, which may add financial pressure to the family, further compounding an already difficult situation,”

“The negative impacts also often extend to families.”

Statistics from the state’s safety bureau WorkSafe Tasmania show 68 injuries were caused by work-related harassment or workplace bullying in 2012, compared with 129 injuries reported in 2011.

Mr Harkins said unions will conduct their own ongoing research to poll: “investigate individuals' and organisations' perceptions and experiences with bullying and, if required, will inform the development of strategies to reduce the impact of bullying in the workplace,” he said.

The union representative believes there are gaps that need to be filled in workers compensation legislation surrounding stress-related claims, which frequently stem from non-physical harassment and bullying.