THE television cartoon of Stressed Eric, the harrassed office worker always under pressure from his boss and the office bully, may be getting too close to true life.

With increasing numbers of staff suing bosses for stress at work it is now vital to call "time" on workplace bullies, according to human resources company Coutts Consulting.

Managers are under even more pressure to stamp out bullying and harassment with the introduction of new employment laws and the recent Human Rights Act, said Coutts.

"It's no good just showing disapproval, employers have to ensure they have a policy in place to deal with bullying and harassment to protect staff against inhuman or degrading treatment," said Brigit Egan, Coutts' North West regional director.

"Although some organisations have been starting to take the issue of bullying and harassment seriously, everyone is having to become even more focused on the problem because there are new laws in place whereby it will cost them money if they ignore it."

More cases are going through the courts where employees, whose health has been damaged because of the stress caused by bullying, are suing former employers. Compensation levels are up to £50,000 for unfair dismissal alone.

If charges include sexual or racial discrimination, there is no ceiling.

Bosses are liable if harassment takes place in their workplace if they have not taken reasonable steps to prevent or stop it.

Coutts said employers should put in place a carefully thought out policy on harassment with clear guidelines on what is inappropriate behaviour at work.