Bullying in the workplace is down to poor management, according to the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

The CMI report shows 70% of managers have witnessed bullying in the past three years - and 30% have seen subordinates bullying their manager. Of those experiencing bullying 38% report that action was taken.

Seven out of 10 respondents (70%) said bullying was due to lack of management skills compared with 66% in 2005, while 57% blamed personality clashes and 48% cited bullying exists because of authoritarian management styles.

Against findings from Unite and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) that workplace bullying costs the economy costs £13.75 billion and 100 million lost working days a year, the CMI argues employers are failing in their legal duty to protect staff.

"Jo Causon, director of marketing and corporate affairs at the CMI, said: "Now, more than ever, the ability of the UK's managers and leaders to set a good example is paramount. Without strong but fair leadership, how can working environments be productive and how can employers hope to motivate staff in what are already trying times?"

The research shows, however, 74% of employers have a bullying strategy compared with 55% in 2005.