THOUSANDS of charity staff have been subjected to “deeply concerning” threats while at work, according to new research welcomed by unions today.

The Charity Commission found volunteers increasingly operate “in an environment marked by hostility and threat” over international conflict, immigration issues and equality issues.

Its survey of 2,947 charity trustees in February has suggested organisations working to promote human rights, religious and racial harmony or equality and diversity have been most prone to negative impacts in recent times.

These included reports of people protesting at their sites, a decrease in support, online threats to staff and vandalism to property.

More than a quarter — 27 per cent — reported experiencing the impacts of the “challenging social environment” and 2 per cent said that their staff had been threatened in person.

The commission said this could equate to around 3,000 of the 171,500 registered charities in England and Wales.

Charity Commission assistant director of policy Rachel Wenstone said: “We have heard deeply concerning accounts of staff being threatened, intimidated, and left afraid simply for doing their jobs.”

Unison national officer for charities James Randall said: “These worrying findings will come as no surprise to many charity workers. Staff have been warning that abuse, intimidation and threats are becoming increasingly common.

“Nobody should face abuse or violence simply for doing their job.

“Employers, regulators and ministers all have a responsibility to keep staff safe. That means proper risk assessments, effective reporting systems, appropriate training and real support for workers who experience abuse.”

Unite national officer Siobhain Endean said: “Unite is calling on not for profit employers to stand up to racism and racist attacks on our members and hold to account those who threaten or assault our members through legal action and community resistance.”
 
“Unite reps are identifying these threats as major hazards and are ensuring employers take this issue seriously.”

A United Voices of the World (UVW) union spokesperson said: “UVW members know first-hand that standing up for workers’ rights, migrants’ rights and social justice can attract hostility.

“It is never acceptable for any worker — never mind front-line workers supporting victims of violence or providing support for migrants and refugees — to face abuse, intimidation, or threats of violence.

“Intimidation should never be allowed to silence those fighting for fair treatment or supporting vulnerable communities.

“The answer is not for charities or campaigners to step back, but for charity workers to join a union and fight for the right to a safe workplace, to ensure their employers, public bodies and the police protect people who carry out this essential work.”