Around two million people have been bullied at work in the past six months, many of them by their managers, according to the TUC.

The union body is calling on the government to change the law to prevent millions more workers becoming the new victims of the UK's office bullies.

According to the TUC's research, bullying accounts for the loss of some 18 million working days each year.

TUC general secretary, Brendan Barber, said: "Employers should be tackling bullying just as they would treat any other workplace hazard.

"All workplaces, whatever their size, should have a policy which states that harassment and intimidation is unacceptable and that those who delight in the victimisation of others will be treated severely.

"The victims of bullying need to be listened to and supported, not dismissed as workplace wimps."