Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace

About this course.

Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect at work. Bullying and harassment damage that right. They make people miserable, harm their mental and physical health, drain confidence and motivation, and can drive talented people out of jobs they would otherwise love. They also cause real harm to organisations through sickness absence, high staff turnover, low morale, reputational damage and, where the law is broken, costly employment tribunal claims. Tackling bullying and harassment is therefore not only the right thing to do; it is a legal, financial and practical necessity for every employer.

This course explains clearly what bullying and harassment are, how they differ, and what the law in Great Britain requires. It distinguishes bullying — offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, or an abuse or misuse of power — from harassment, which is unlawful under the Equality Act 2010 when it is unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic or of a sexual nature. You will learn about the many forms this behaviour takes, including verbal abuse, physical intimidation, deliberate exclusion, persistent undermining and cyberbullying, and you will look at the serious impact on individuals and on the wider organisation.