Employers are required to provide a working environment that is free from abuse and harassment. Despite this, many people still experience some form of bullying or harassment at work. It is important to be able to identify this type of treatment and know what legal protection is available.
There is no law against bullying. Harassment, however, is unlawful under the Equality Act 2010 when it relates to any of the 9 protected characteristics:
- Sex
- Race
- Religion or belief
- Age
- Sexual orientation
- Disability
- Pregnancy or maternity
- Marriage or civil partnership
- Gender reassignment
If you are being bullied at work and you believe that it is caused by one of these characteristics then you might have a case against your employers. Please get in touch with our team by visiting our Employment Law and Professional Discipline page.