A WOMAN is calling for the Government to make bullying in the workplace illegal.

Gill Hetherington has written to Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett, urging him to change the law.

She believes that thousands of people are being bullied at work but cannot take their employer to an industrial tribunal because it is not illegal.

Mrs Hetherington set up a web site for people who have been bullied at work after her husband, Geoff, won a case for unfair dismissal against Redmarshall and Bishopton Primary School, near Darlington.

He claimed he suffered work-related stress and depression after the appointment of a new headteacher, which forced him to take sick leave. He was later sacked.

Mrs Hetherington says more people would come forward if they knew there was action which could be taken against bullying employers.

In her letter to Mr Blunkett she said: "If you want to make a difference in education, it would be advisable to consider in the election manifesto to make bullying illegal.

"Teachers need to have some rights in the way they should be treated in the workplace.

"They are leaving the profession left right and centre and, by making workplace bullying illegal, they will feel the Government is protecting them."

l See www.bullydissolver.com