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Bullying and harassment

In a workplace context, “harassment” is unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 (other than marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity) that has the purpose of violating a person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that person. Harassment in the workplace can also occur where a person reasonably considers conduct to have that effect, even if the effect is unintended.

“Bullying” is not defined in UK employment law. Acas defines workplace bullying as “offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means that undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the person being bullied”. The Health and Safety Executive stresses that bullying is a pattern of behaviour rather than isolated instances, and states that it “involves negative behaviour being targeted at an individual, or individuals, repeatedly and persistently over time”.


    • Bullying and harassment
    • Latest News
    • HR practice

    Train driver unfairly dismissed after tarantula prank

    by Rob Moss 28 Nov 2023
    by Rob Moss 28 Nov 2023

    Employment judge decides that dismissal for gross misconduct was inconsistent with the nature of prank involving a tarantula's shed skin.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Bullying and harassment
    • Latest News

    Worker Protection Act: how should HR prepare for sexual harassment obligations?

    by Samantha Mangwana 24 Nov 2023
    by Samantha Mangwana 24 Nov 2023

    How can employers prepare for their new duties under the Worker Protection Act to protect workers from sexual harassment?

    • Sexual harassment
    • Employment law
    • Bullying and harassment

    McDonald’s: How can employers prevent sexual harassment?

    by Francesca Charlton 21 Nov 2023
    by Francesca Charlton 21 Nov 2023

    Ahead of a new Act designed to protect employees from sexual harassment, employers should take steps to ensure they have the right policies and procedures in place.

    • Bullying and harassment
    • Local authorities
    • Latest News

    Inquiry accuses Brighton waste workers of ‘abuses and violence’

    by Jo Faragher 15 Nov 2023
    by Jo Faragher 15 Nov 2023

    Staff at a waste services depot brought in illegal weapons to show other workers, an inquiry was told.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Employment law
    • Bullying and harassment

    McDonald’s dismisses 18 staff following sexual harassment claims

    by Ashleigh Webber 14 Nov 2023
    by Ashleigh Webber 14 Nov 2023

    McDonald's has dismissed 18 people after receiving hundreds of allegations relating to sexual harassment in its UK restaurants and franchises.

    • Bullying and harassment
    • Latest News
    • Education

    Call for ombudsman for university bullying complaints

    by Ashleigh Webber 3 Nov 2023
    by Ashleigh Webber 3 Nov 2023

    A group has called for an independent ombudsman that university staff could turn to if they feel bullying is not being taken seriously.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Bullying and harassment
    • Financial services

    ‘Odey case shows sexual misconduct goes unchecked in finance’

    by Adam McCulloch 2 Nov 2023
    by Adam McCulloch 2 Nov 2023

    The FCA must be more speedy and tougher if it is to tackle the culture of sexual misconduct and harassment in the City of London.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Bullying and harassment
    • Latest News

    Sexual harassment was ‘normalised’ on RAF’s Red Arrows team

    by Adam McCulloch 2 Nov 2023
    by Adam McCulloch 2 Nov 2023

    A misogynistic culture among the RAF’s Red Arrows team led to regular instances of sexual harassment, non-statutory inquiry finds.

    • Bullying and harassment
    • Latest News
    • Discrimination

    Pharmacist stereotyped as ‘aggressive black man’ wins harassment claim

    by Ashleigh Webber 31 Oct 2023
    by Ashleigh Webber 31 Oct 2023

    A Boots pharmacist was stereotyped as an 'aggressive black man' and later felt forced to resign over managers' handling of his grievance.

    • Bullying and harassment
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Latest News

    EHRC closes probe into allegations against chairwoman

    by Rob Moss 25 Oct 2023
    by Rob Moss 25 Oct 2023

    EHRC closes investigation into complaints against Kishwer Falkner, after independent review ordered by Kemi Badenoch.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Financial services
    • Bullying and harassment

    Sex harassment claims could multiply after Swiss Re case

    by Hina Belitz 24 Oct 2023
    by Hina Belitz 24 Oct 2023

    Sexual misconduct has been seen as rife in financial and insurance services but one recent case that made it to tribunal has the potential to give pause for thought to perpetrators.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Bullying and harassment
    • Latest News

    Worker Protection Bill to become law

    by Jo Faragher 23 Oct 2023
    by Jo Faragher 23 Oct 2023

    The Worker Protection Bill passes through both the Commons and Lords and will become law.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Latest News
    • Discipline and grievances

    Lidl worker wins £50k following manager’s sexual remarks

    by Ashleigh Webber 10 Oct 2023
    by Ashleigh Webber 10 Oct 2023

    A former Lidl employee endured sexual harassment, which store management in Oxfordshire allowed to go unchecked.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Latest News
    • Workplace culture

    Only half of employees would report sexual harassment

    by Jo Faragher 9 Oct 2023
    by Jo Faragher 9 Oct 2023

    Just under a third of workers have experienced sexually inappropriate behaviour at work, but many are afraid to report it.

    • Bullying and harassment
    • Latest News
    • Disability

    EHRC supports tribunal claim for ‘menopause discrimination’

    by Rob Moss 2 Oct 2023
    by Rob Moss 2 Oct 2023

    Equalities watchdog supports social worker Maria Rooney's case against Leicester City Council for sex and disability discrimination.

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Personnel Today
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