header-logo header-logo

Workplace harassment & bullying: finding a way through

06 October 2023 / Thomas Beale
Issue: 8043 / Categories: Features , Employment , Harassment
printer mail-detail
141483
Thomas Beale sets out the legal routes available to tackling bullying & harassment in the workplace
  • Steps are being taken to establish more robust mechanisms for employees to challenge bullying and/or harassment.

In recent months we have sadly seen a surge in prominent cases highlighting workplace bullying and harassment, spanning notable businesses including the CBI and McDonald’s, and famous individuals such as Kevin Spacey and Ellen DeGeneres. Unfortunately this is an issue which seems to becoming more prevalent. Partly, one hopes, more people feel empowered to come forward due to the brighter spotlight being shone on these issues. Often, taking legal action is not just a choice but a necessity as, in many of my cases, claimants are suffering from significant physiological harm due to a manager or colleague’s behaviour, which impacts all aspects of their lives—they struggle to carry on working and relationships can break down.

Tribunals

Having decided to take legal action, you’ll know that for many claimants, the employment tribunal is often the natural

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Tech companies will be legally required to prevent material that encourages or assists serious self-harm appearing on their platforms, under Online Safety Act 2023 regulations due to come into force in the autumn
Commercial leasehold, the defence of insanity and ‘consent’ in the criminal law are among the next tranche of projects for the Law Commission
The Bar has a culture of ‘impunity’ and ‘collusive bystanding’ in which making a complaint is deemed career-ending due to a ‘cohort of untouchables’ at the top, Baroness Harriet Harman KC has found
Lawyers have broadly welcomed plans to electronically tag up to 22,000 more offenders, scrap most prison terms below a year and make prisoners ‘earn’ early release
David Lammy, Ellie Reeves and Baroness Levitt have taken up office at the Ministry of Justice, following the cabinet reshuffle
back-to-top-scroll