Purpose Bullying is a persistent, damaging feature of neoliberal workplaces, despite the increased use of third-party interventions (TPIs). The purpose of this paper is to investigate how TPIs relate to individualisation of the employment contract, whether TPIs deflect attention away from bullying and the impact for targets. Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered from focus groups and interviews with members and officials of three large UK trade unions. Findings TPIs individualise bullying allegations and such interventions are further characterised by impotence, injustice and lack of impartiality, serving to deflect bullying claims and exacerbate targets’ suffering. Practical implications Recommendations are made to improve the efficacy of interventions. Originality/value This paper increases the limited research into the efficacy of TPIs and makes a significant contribution to debates on neoliberal individualism.

This empirical study explores perceptions of bullying amongst public sector workers with longterm health conditions (LTHC). Data was obtained from focus groups and interviews with union members and representatives with knowledge of LTHC. While incidents of overt discrimination occurred, most evidence was found for the social model of disability, with bullying of employees with LTHC largely attributed to intensive working practices typical of New Public Management. The implications for public sector anti-bullying and antidiscrimination policies are discussed.

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