A confidential Unite survey of members employed by MPs and Lords has revealed a ‘toxic’ working environment, with many staff suffering stress and bullying.

The survey undertaken by Unite’s parliamentary and constituency branch found that almost a fifth (19 per cent) of respondents had suffered bullying by either their MP or a line manager.

Almost six in every 10 (58 per cent) respondents recorded they suffered from stress and said the mental health of staff was being damaged, with over a third (36 per cent) reporting that they had anxiety and 17 per cent revealing they had suffered from depression. Unite said the findings underline the urgent need for formal union recognition “to tackle the deeply dysfunctional and unhealthy workplace.”

MPs’ staff are jointly employed by the individual MP and the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA).

Unite said a further ‘disturbing development’ since the harassment bullying crisis broke was that IPSA has made no attempt to contact the union to discuss how staff can be protected. It said if IPSA voluntarily recognised the union, many of the problems experienced by staff could begin to be properly tackled.

Unite national officer Siobhan Endean said: “The survey of members demonstrates that in some cases there can be a toxic and dysfunctional relationship between MPs and staff which can cause long-term health problems.” She added: “The prime minister and the leaders of the political parties need to understand that without formal union recognition, union reps are being hobbled in their attempts to deal with staff problems and in ensuring they are quickly resolved. Despite being the official employer of MPs’ staff, during the sexual harassment and bullying crisis, IPSA has been about as prominent as the invisible man. Yet, IPSA has the ability to swiftly recognise Unite and reduce the misery of our members.”

The lack of union recognition means that Unite’s reps do not have an office or facility time – paid time off to assist and represent members – and are denied vital legal protections. Union representatives have had to negotiate unofficial time off to attend meetings of an anti-harassment working group set up in the wake of recent scandals. There is also no requirement to consult the union on changes to pay structures, terms and conditions or anti-bullying policies.