I regularly meet people who are experiencing difficulties at work. These can range from their working conditions, performance issues as well as experiencing forms of bullying or harassment. This blog addresses what you can do if you are experiencing forms of bullying at work. Read on to learn more.
What Can You Do If You Are Experiencing Forms Of Bullying At Work?
It is very common to feel worried about raising your concerns at work, especially so when you are experiencing forms of bullying. However, by not doing so can result in the issues escalating and before you know where you are, you find yourself in a position which can feel untenable. Therefore, I always advise my client’s to raise their concerns formally (whilst remaining in employment) as it will strengthen your position and the options available to you.
Where Should You Start?
A good position to start in, is when you first become aware that you are being treated differently or bullied. At this stage, I would recommend you make regular diary entries so that you can keep a log of what has happened and when it has happened. It is surprising at how easy it is to forget specific incidents or dates. By keeping a log it will certainly strengthen your position.
Thereafter, it is a good idea to look at submitting a Formal Grievance to your employer. Your employer is likely to have a Formal Grievance procedure in place, which will give information on how to do this but, at the very least, an employer should adhere to the ACAS Code on Disciplinaries and Grievances 2009.
Are You Being Harassed?
Sometimes the bullying can be a form of harassment. However, harassment is slightly different to the definition of bullying, as it does hold a legal definition within the Equality Act 2010. The Equality Act 2010 provides protection to people who have a protected characteristic such as their age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex etc and it defines it as being unwanted conduct which has the purpose or effect of violating that persons dignity. If you believe that the harassment you are receiving is because of a protected characteristic, then you can bring a claim whilst remaining in employment to the Employment Tribunal.
Should You Obtain Legal Advice?
I would recommend that you obtain expert legal advice as soon as possible. It will always help having a fresh pair of eyes to review what has been happening and with expert legal advice, it will hopefully relieve the stress you are experiencing. My aim is to try and help you feel more confident and realise that the way you are being treated is unacceptable behaviour.
How Can I Help you?
If you are being bullied at work, please call 01522 440512 for a no obligation, free consultation to discuss your matter. You can also email us at ContactUs@lincslaw.com. Alternatively, for more information please visit our page Discrimination, Bullying and Harassment – LincsLaw Employment Law Solicitors to learn more.
Lucy Stones
Associate Employment Law Solicitor
Lincs Law
Tags: acas code on disciplinaries and grievances bullying bullying at work constructive unfair dismissal Discrimination equality act 2010 formal grievance Harassment