ALL SCOTTISH Parliament staff will have to undergo "dignity at work" training after figures revealed a rise in bullying.

This is in spite of parliament bosses ploughing taxpayers' money into counselling and other measures to address the menace.

The bullying figures are contained in the parliament's 2007 staff audit - a survey published every two years.

The 2005 audit found that of the Holyrood staff members at the time - totalling around 500 - 10.6% had experienced bullying.

This has now jumped to 12.6% of the total staff - 56 individuals - who work behind the scenes at Holyrood.

A breakdown of the figure reveals 36 people suffered from bullying and 12 from harassment, while six felt they had been victim to both.

The survey also found disabled staff were more likely to have been bullied or harassed, and that sexism and ageism were also prevalent.

Harassment, according to the parliament's definition, is "unwanted conduct that violates a person's dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment which is linked to, or based on, one or more of a person's personal characteristics".

Similarly, bullying is described as "inappropriate, malicious and unwelcome behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means intended to cause embarrassment, fear, humiliation or distress to a person or to a group of people".

The audit found 30% of the "bullies" were on the same pay grade as the victims, while 16% were not part of the staff structure.

It did not state whether any MSPs were among the alleged bullies.

Parliament bosses have responded to the bullying rise by unveiling new measures to promote a better working environment at Holyrood.

In the summer, all staff will be required to attend a "refresher equalities" training course, part of which will focus on "dignity at work".

The parliament will also increase its tally of anti-bullying contacts for people who have been harassed.

In addition, the audit found that only 1.8% of staff are from a black and minority ethnic background.

Holyrood managers have responded by planning a "positive action" programme to increase the number of ethnic minority staff.

A Scottish Parliament spokeswoman said: "Parliament policy is firmly one of zero tolerance on this issue. As a responsible employer, the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body actively monitors the situation to ensure that areas for improvement are identified and addressed.

"Our approach includes all staff receiving training in what is and is not acceptable behaviour, periodical refresher training, equalities built into our management systems and a network of people trained to support staff who have concerns."

Lothians MSP Margo Macdonald said: "I have felt for a while there is quite an incestuous feel to the parliament, and I've heard stories of bullying and harassment. I know there are MSPs who do not behave like nursery school teachers when they deal with their staff."