Harassment & Bullying

Harassment and bullying both involve behaviour which harms, intimidates, threatens, victimises, offends, degrades, humiliates or undermines dignity at work.

Harassment tends to focus on gender, race, ethnic background, colour, religion or belief, sexual orientation or disability. Harassment may be a single incident or a series of incidents. Bullying is repeated inappropriate behaviour, direct or indirect and by one or more persons which undermines an individuals right to dignity.

Some actual examples of behaviour that is bullying or harassment:

Offensive material that is displayed publicly
Verbal abuse or comments that belittle people
Unwelcome and hurtful jokes
Direct or subtle threats
Offensive gestures
Ignoring, isolating or segregating a person
Staring or leering in a sexual way
Unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature
Aggressive physical behaviour
Repeated behaviour which a person has previously objected to

It is important that organisations demonstrate their intolerance of harassment and bullying in the workplace, and this should be embodied the the Company policy on harassment and bullying.

Harassment & Bullying Policies - for free download

Policy 1 - Harassment & Bullying policy which can be downloaded and adapted for your organisation

Policy 2 - Alternative Prevention of Bullying and Harassment at Work policy

Useful Links

Bullying and Harassment at Work
Advice Conciliation and Arbitration Service booklet - a guide for managers and employers.

Bullying at Work
Leading source of bullying information with extensive resources on workplace bullying and related issues.

Harassment & Bullying at Work
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development factsheet.

Business Link
Practical advice on dealing with bullying and harassment in the workplace

Harassment and Bullying - Related Documents

The Trade Union Perspective
Booklet produced by UNISON for it's representatives in how to approach workplace bullying

Harassment and Bullying - Recommended Book:

"Dignity at Work: Eliminate Bullying and Create a Positive Working Environment" by Pauline Rennie Peyton

The author is a recognised UK expert in the field of bullying, and this book covers the whole gamut of bullying and harassment in the workplace including implementing policies, harassment investigations, mediation and how to use counsellors.

This book is highly recommended and available through the Amazon link on the book cover at £18.95. However there are second-hand versions available there too.

Human Resource Solutions offer these documents to UK organisations only as a service, but cannot be responsible or liable to any person or entity in respect of any cost, loss or damage caused, consequential or otherwise, directly or indirectly by the information contained in the policies and procedures or their component parts, to include any mistakes therein.