You should be able to feel comfortable in the workplace and harassment of any nature can have a detrimental affect on your enjoyment of your job. Depending on the severity of the harassment or bullying, you can also feel degraded and demoralised, which can in turn affect your performance. If the person or people involved in the harassment are in senior positions, you may also feel that you are trapped and cannot report the problem to anyone.
It is important to remember that you have rights as an employee and being bullied or harassed at work is not acceptable.
If you believe you are the victim of sexual or racial harassment or bullying, our employment law solicitors will be able to advise and assist you. To speak to an experienced and understanding employment law solicitor today, call 01254606008 or email us.
Types of Bullying and Harassment at Work
Harassment in the workplace can be take many forms. In the eyes of the law, harassment is defined as “unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characteristic, which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that individual”.
Workplace bullying can be defined as offensive or insulting behaviour towards a colleague by an employee or group of employees.
Bullying and harassment can be related to any number of characteristics including age, sex, race, gender, sexuality, disability, or religious beliefs.
Employers have a duty of care towards their employees and are responsible for preventing bullying and harassment in the workplace.
