header-logo header-logo

06 October 2023 / Thomas Beale
Issue: 8043 / Categories: Features , Employment , Harassment
printer mail-detail

Workplace harassment & bullying: finding a way through

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 first step. However, of course an issue which faces

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

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
back-to-top-scroll