BULLYING & HARASSMENT

Bullying generally describes repeated behaviour that hurts, intimidates, humiliates or undermines someone. It can be face to face, in writing, by phone or online.

In UK law, harassment is unwanted behaviour related to a protected characteristic such as age, disability, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation. Employers have legal duties in this area under the Equality Act 2010.

Bullying is not always loud. Persistent exclusion, undermining someone's work, spreading rumours or removing responsibility without reason can all count.

Being bullied is not a reflection of the person's ability or worth, and experiencing it does not mean someone handled the situation badly.

These are experiences some people may recognise. They can have many causes and are not a diagnosis.

• Dreading contact with a particular person, team, class or platform.
• Being repeatedly criticised, excluded, mocked or undermined, including in front of others.
• Changes in sleep, appetite, concentration or confidence linked to those situations.
• Withdrawing from work, school or online spaces that were previously fine.

• Where it is safe, keep a simple record: dates, what happened, who was present and how it affected you.
• At work, check the employer's bullying and grievance policy; ACAS provides free, impartial guidance on raising concerns.
• At school, the school has a legal duty to have a behaviour policy; raising it in writing with a named member of staff creates a record.
• Online, use the platform's reporting tools; Report Harmful Content can help if a report is not acted on.
• If behaviour involves threats, violence or stalking, it may be a criminal matter — contact the police.

• Believe the person and avoid suggesting they provoked it or should toughen up.
• Help them record what is happening and understand their options without deciding for them.
• Offer to go with them to a meeting or read a letter or email before it is sent.
• Stay in contact — isolation is one of the most damaging effects.

• ACAS — Bullying and harassment at work
• GOV.UK — Workplace bullying and harassment
• Report Harmful Content
• Bullying UK (Family Lives)
• NHS — Find a GP
• Samaritans — free, 24/7, call 116 123

• GOV.UK — Equality Act 2010 guidance
• ACAS — Discrimination and bullying
• NHS — Bullying at work