Workplace bullying

If you’ve ever been bullied or harassed at work, you’ll understand the significant impact this kind of toxic behaviour can have on your wellbeing.

Soon, however, employers could be required to establish processes for reporting, investigating, and punishing bullying in their firms. Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, presented a bill to parliament back in July which aims to stamp out workplace bullying and introduce a new Respect at Work Code that will be enforced by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

Various legislation has been in place for some time that seeks to protect staff who feel they have been subjected to bullying at work – but this is the first time an Act that clarifies what bullying is and effectively outlaws it has been proposed.

The bill is due to receive its second reading this November. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this development – and as an employer, you should too!