Overworked civil servants at the Department for environment, food and rural affairs (Defra) have been pushed to “breaking point”, leading to a rapid increase in employees speaking out about adverse working conditions including allegations of bullying. Data published by Defra shows that the number of complaints made about workplace bullying in the department rose by 560% between 2021 and 2023, increasing from fewer than five complaints to 28 this year. An insider at Defra told Utility Week that an “atmosphere of intimidation” now existed within the department with ministers routinely using “dehumanising language” towards civil servants.
Bullying complaints rocket at Defra
