WORKPLACE BULLYING LAW

If you are being singled out for unfair treatment whilst at your place of employment by your boss, a manager or a colleague you do not have to suffer in silence. Workplace bullying whilst common-place is unlawful and legal action can be taken.

• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 imposes a legal duty on employers to look after the health, safety and welfare of their employees so far as is reasonably possible. If they do not do this, and tolerate workplace bullying, they are breaching an individual’s contract of employment.
• The Race Relations Act 1976 and The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 may in certain circumstances be used against an abuser where there is race discrimination which is defined as any unfair treatment aimed at a person because of race, colour, nationality, citizenship or ethnic origin. The abuse may be either direct or indirect which occurs when a universal requirement puts people of a particular race at a disadvantage.
• The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 prohibits discrimination on the basis of a person’s gender or marital status and under The Employment Equality Regulations 2003 it is illegal for employers to discriminate due to sexual orientation.
• Racial harassment is unlawful and describes racially motivated aggression. The Race Relations Act 1976 refers to hostile or offensive behaviour which is at least partially motivated by racial factors.
• Sexual harassment is unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature whilst in the course of employment and is covered by The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and the Employment Rights Act.

An employee who is forced to resign because of unacceptable working conditions, including workplace bullying, may be the victim of constructive dismissal and entitled to claim compensation in the Employment Tribunal. Anyone who finds their working conditions unacceptable and believes they would have a case if they were to resign should seek urgent legal advice before taking any action.

We are able to offer a wide range of employment law advice including :-

• unfair dismissal
• constructive dismissal
• redundancy
• racial discrimination
• sex discrimination
• racial harassment
• sexual harassment
• disability discrimination
• workplace bullying law
• compromise agreements
• age discrimination
• victimisation
• equal opportunities
• discrimination through pregnancy
• transfer of undertakings
• working time regulations
• commercial agents
• religious discrimination
• discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation

If you are a victim of unlawful behaviour in the form of workplace bullying you should make a direct approach to the abuser and if this has no effect you should approach senior management and if they do not or cannot resolve the situation then you should contact a solicitor. We offer free advice from solicitors specialising in the field of employment law to anyone concerned about a possible breach of the regulations. If you would like advice just telephone us for a free initial consultation.