Recently, reports claimed that Channel 5′s Dan Walker is set to appear before an employment tribunal following allegations of workplace bullying.
But what is the legal definition of workplace bullying to begin with – and how can you tell if it’s happening to you?
What are your rights if you think you’re being bullied in a professional setting?
We spoke to Jayne Harrison, a head of employment law, about the topic.
There isn’t a single legal definition of bullying.
But, Harrison told us, “ACAS defines workplace bullying as offensive, intimidating, or malicious behaviour that abuses, undermines, or humiliates the recipient.
“Bullying is usually characterised by behaviour that is directed at an individual, either with the intent to cause distress or with reckless disregard for the consequences. This behaviour must go beyond the ordinary unpleasantness of a workplace and create a foreseeable risk of harm.”
Additionally, bullying can involve a pattern of repeated and deliberate behaviour, such as spreading malicious rumours, excluding specific people from work activities, and consistently undermining a worker.
“These actions are designed to create an intolerable working environment for the victim. In contrast, a general negative work environment may involve unpleasantness or conflict that does not specifically target an individual or cause harm.”
Sometimes, Harrison continued, seemingly professional demands can count as...
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