Bullying at work is when someone tries to intimidate another worker, often in front of colleagues. You shouldn't have to put up with it.
Bullying at work is similar to harassment, which is where someone's behaviour is offensive - for example, making sexual comments, or abusing someone's race, religion or sexual orientation, and is usually, though not always, done to someone in a less senior position.
It's not possible to make a legal claim directly about bullying, but complaints can be made under laws covering discrimination and harassment. If you're forced to resign due to bullying you can make a constructive dismissal claim.
Bullying includes abuse, physical or verbal violence, humiliation and undermining someones confidence. You are probably being bullied if, for example, you are:
Bullying can be face-to-face, in writing, over the phone or by fax or email.
If you think you're being bullied, it's best to talk it over with someone, because what seems like bullying might not be.
For example, you might have more work to do because of a change in the way your organisation is run. If you find it difficult to cope, talk to your manager or supervisor who might be as concerned as you are. Sometimes all it takes is a change in the way you work to give you time to adjust.
Employers have a 'duty of care' to their employees and this includes dealing with bullying at work. There are measures you can take if you're being bullied.
Speak to someone about how you might deal with the problem informally. This might be talking to:
Some employers have specially trained staff to help with bullying and harassment problems; they are sometimes called 'harassment advisers'. If the bullying is affecting your health, visit your doctor.
The bullying may not be deliberate as the person concerned may not realise how their behaviour has been affecting you. If you can, talk to the them directly but work out what to say beforehand. Describe what's been happening and why you object to it. Stay calm and be polite. If you don't want to talk to them yourself, ask someone else to do so for you.
Write down details of every incident and keep copies of any relevant documents.
This is the next step if you cant solve the problem informally.
To do this you must follow your employer's grievance procedure, or if one doesn't exist you can use the statutory grievance procedure.
Below are some examples of awkward situations you might face at work and suggestions on how they could be handled.
Make the complaint in writing to your line manager and ask that it’s passed on to another manager to look into. If that doesn’t happen or isn’t possible, make the complaint to your boss’s manager, or the human resources department.
Follow the grievance procedure. It may help you later if you have to take legal action against your employer.
If you think that making a complaint will cause further bullying or harassment, you don’t need to follow normal grievance procedures. In cases like this, you can still take legal action if you wish.
Sometimes the problem continues even after you've followed your employer's grievance procedure. If nothing is done to put things right, you can think about taking legal action. This may mean going to an employment tribunal.
It is important that you get professional advice before taking this step.
Remember that it's not possible to go to a tribunal directly over bullying, but complaints can be made under laws covering discrimination and harassment. If you've left your job because of bullying, you might be able to claim unfair 'constructive' dismissal. This can be difficult to prove, so it's important to get advice from a specialist lawyer or other professional.
The Labour Relations Agency (LRA) offers free, confidential and impartial advice on all employment rights issues. You can call the LRA helpline on 028 9032 1442 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Wednesday.
Your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) can provide free and impartial advice. You can find your local CAB office in the phone book or online. Your local trade union may also be able to offer advice and guidance.
Employment
