STAFF at Hyndburn Council will have to keep taking nice pills if they are to avoid facing a rap for bullying.

That's because the local authority is training a group of staff, including management, to counsel victims of bullying as part of a new policy which aims to make it easier for staff to report any harassment - from an insensitive comment to physical violence.

It promises to make complaints procedures simpler and encourage victims to reveal the identity of their bullies.

The policy was drawn up after the Institute of Personnel and Development released a report highlighting how victims often conceal their complaints for fear of being ridiculed or ignored.

Chief executive Mike Chambers said: "We don't have huge numbers of staff going around harassing each other, but part of being a good employer is to ensure everyone has clear rights and obligations.

"We want staff to have the right to a working environment where you are treated with respect and without bias."

He added: "By developing better listening and counselling skills in our staff, we will create a better working environment which allows people to develop their full potential."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.