Harassment in the Workplace

What Counts as Harassment at Work?

Workplace harassment is unwanted conduct that makes you feel intimidated, degraded, or offended. In legal terms, harassment often refers to behaviour related to a protected characteristic (such as your race, gender, age, religion, disability, or sexual orientation) that violates your dignity or creates a hostile work environment. Sexual harassment – unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature – is also explicitly unlawful.

However, even outside of these legal definitions, any persistent abusive behaviour at work is unacceptable. Harassment and bullying can come from a manager, co-worker, or even clients, and it can happen in person or through emails, calls, or messages.

Examples of workplace harassment and bullying include: 

• Making offensive jokes, slurs or comments about your gender, race, religion, or other personal traits
• Unwelcome touching, sexual advances, or inappropriate comments of a sexual nature
• Spreading malicious rumours or persistently criticising, belittling your work
• Excluding you from team activities or denying training and promotion opportunities as a way to undermine you
• Shouting, threatening behaviour, or ongoing intimidation that makes you dread coming into work

Such behaviour can occur anywhere – from the shop floor or office to remote video meetings and work chats. What matters is the impact on you. If the conduct makes you feel scared, humiliated, or distressed, it counts as harassment or bullying. No one should have to tolerate this at work. Harassment that targets you because of who you are (for example, sexist or racist abuse) is against the law. And even if the bullying isn’t linked to a protected characteristic, you still have the right to a safe and respectful workplace.

Bullying at Work

Bullying is similar to harassment in that it involves offensive, intimidating or insulting behaviour – the key difference is that it might not be based on a protected trait. Bullying at work can be a boss constantly picking on you, a colleague repeatedly undermining you, or a team creating an offensive environment through jokes and exclusion.

Even if bullying isn’t tied to discrimination, it is still wrong and can be legally addressed in other ways. Employers have a duty of care to all employees; persistent bullying often breaches that duty. In many cases, severe bullying can lead to mental health issues or force you to resign, which may form the basis of a constructive dismissal claim. In short, bullying should never be ignored. Our lawyers can advise you on the best course of action to stop the bullying – whether that’s using internal procedures or taking legal steps to hold your employer accountable.

Your Rights as an Employee

Every employee has the right to work in an environment free from harassment and bullying. In England and Wales, laws like the Equality Act 2010 protect you from harassment related to protected characteristics (such as age, sex, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation, etc.) and from sexual harassment. This means if you’ve been subjected to offensive or degrading behaviour because of who you are, or endured unwelcome sexual conduct, you can take legal action against your employer. Harassment at work is not just unfair – it’s unlawful when it meets these criteria.

Even in situations that don’t fit the Equality Act definition, you still have important rights. Your employer is obligated to protect your health, safety, and well-being at work. If they allow bullying to continue or fail to address your complaints, they could be in breach of your employment contract and UK employment law.

You have the right to raise a grievance (a formal complaint) about harassment or bullying and to expect your employer to investigate and act. You also have the right not to be victimised (punished or treated badly) for speaking up about harassment – retaliation by your employer would be unlawful in itself. Ultimately, if your employer doesn’t resolve the issue, you have the right to pursue remedies through an employment tribunal or negotiate a settlement with your employer. The law is on your side, and our role is to ensure you can enforce your rights effectively.

How to Take Action Against Workplace Harassment

Taking action can feel daunting, but it’s often the only way to end the abuse or obtain redress. Here are the main steps and legal options for employees dealing with workplace harassment or bullying:

• Speak Up Early: If you feel safe doing so, make it clear to the harasser that their behaviour is unwelcome. Sometimes, a direct conversation can halt the issue. However, we know this isn’t always possible or effective – especially in cases of power imbalance or severe harassment.
• Document Everything: Keep a record of what’s happening. Save emails, messages, or any evidence of the harassment. Write down incidents, including dates, times, witnesses, and details of what was said or done. This documentation will be extremely useful later, whether internally or in legal proceedings.
• Report to Your Employer: Follow your company’s procedures to report harassment or bullying. This usually means informing a manager or HR and filing a formal grievance. Outline the behaviour you’ve endured and how it has affected you. Employers are legally expected to investigate and take appropriate action. In many cases, this internal process can resolve the problem – for instance, the harasser might be disciplined, or company policies improved.
• Get Independent Advice: It’s wise to seek legal advice early, especially if the harassment is serious or ongoing. An experienced employment solicitor (like our team) can evaluate your case confidentially, explain your rights, and guide you on the best next steps. We can help you draft your grievance or correspondence to strengthen your position from the start. Early advice ensures you don’t miss any legal deadlines and puts you in the best position to protect yourself.
• Consider an Employment Tribunal Claim: If your employer fails to resolve the issue, or if you’ve been forced to leave due to the harassment, you may be entitled to bring a claim in the Employment Tribunal. For harassment or discrimination claims, you generally must act quickly. There is a 3-month (minus 1 day) time limit from the last incident to start the legal process (beginning with Acas Early Conciliation). A tribunal claim can lead to compensation for injury to feelings, lost earnings, and other losses caused by the harassment. It also publicly holds your employer accountable for failing to protect you. While tribunals can be stressful, they are sometimes necessary to achieve justice, and we will support and represent you through the entire process if it comes to that.
• Negotiate a Settlement Agreement: Many workplace harassment cases are resolved out of court through a settlement agreement. This is a legally binding agreement in which your employer typically pays you a sum of money (and possibly provides other benefits, such as a positive reference or an apology), and, in return, you agree not to pursue legal claims against them. Settlement agreements are common in harassment and bullying cases, as they allow for a quicker, private resolution. This route can spare you the time and emotional toll of tribunal litigation. Our firm specialises in negotiating strong settlement agreements for our clients – we push for the maximum compensation and fair terms to ensure you are properly compensated for the treatment you endured. If you’re thinking of leaving your job due to harassment, we can often help you exit on financially secure terms rather than simply resigning with nothing.

Potential outcomes: By taking action, several positive outcomes are possible. The primary goal is to stop the harassment – you have a right to work without fear or humiliation. Through internal complaints, you might achieve changes at work: the harasser could be reprimanded or removed, and policies could be put in place to prevent future issues. If you pursue a legal claim or settlement, you can obtain financial compensation for what you’ve suffered.

Compensation can cover direct financial losses (like lost bonuses or earnings if you had to take sick leave) and “injury to feelings” – an award for the distress and anxiety the harassment caused. In discrimination cases, these awards can be significant, and there’s no strict upper limit. Many of our clients find that securing a settlement or tribunal award not only provides monetary relief but also a sense of justice and closure. We will discuss the potential outcomes with you from the outset, so you know what to expect and can make informed decisions. Our priority is to achieve the result that best meets your needs – whether that’s keeping your job in a safe environment or leaving with compensation and your dignity intact.

How We Support Victims of Harassment

Going through harassment or bullying at work can be incredibly stressful and draining. Our role is to shoulder the legal burden for you and guide you towards a positive resolution. From the moment you contact us, we handle your case with sensitivity, urgency, and expertise. Here’s how our team supports you:

• Compassionate, Confidential Guidance: We start by listening to your experience in detail. We know it’s not easy to talk about being harassed or bullied, so we provide a safe, confidential space for you to explain what’s been happening. Our solicitors approach every case with empathy and understanding. You’ll get clear advice on your rights and options without any judgment. We’ll answer all your questions, so you’re never left in the dark.
• Expert Legal Advice: Workplace harassment cases can be legally complex, but our employment law specialists have extensive experience in this area. We will assess whether the behaviour you’ve faced violates specific laws (such as the Equality Act’s harassment provisions or other employment rights) and explain the strength of your potential claims. Our team stays up to date on the latest employment tribunal decisions and legal developments in harassment and discrimination, so you can be confident the advice you receive is accurate and strategic.
• Handling All Procedures: If you haven’t already raised a complaint at work, we can help you do so in the most effective way. We assist in drafting grievance letters that clearly set out the issues and invoke the relevant legal standards – this often pushes employers to take your complaint more seriously from the start. Should your case escalate, we will manage all the formal processes for you: communicating with your employer or their lawyers, filing tribunal paperwork, preparing legal arguments and evidence, and representing you at hearings. Our goal is to relieve you of the procedural stress so you can focus on your well-being.
• Negotiating on Your Behalf: One of our core strengths is negotiating fair settlements for our clients. Employers often prefer to settle harassment cases discreetly, but you need someone in your corner to ensure any offer reflects your best interests. We are skilled negotiators who won’t let you be short-changed. Whether it’s during a grievance process or once a tribunal claim is filed, we can engage in without-prejudice discussions with your employer to seek a resolution. Your compensation, references, and terms of departure (if you choose to leave) will be our priorities. We fight for outcomes that acknowledge the wrong you’ve suffered and help you move forward on the best possible terms.
• Representation in Tribunal: If your case goes to an employment tribunal, you will have a dedicated solicitor by your side at every step. We will compile the strongest evidence for your case – from witness statements to documentation of incidents – and present a compelling argument to the tribunal. Our team has a proven track record of success in tribunal claims involving harassment and discrimination. We will advocate fearlessly on your behalf to ensure your story is heard and justice is done.

Throughout the process, we keep you informed and in control. Your well-being is our priority. We know taking action against your employer can be intimidating, so we are here to be your strength and voice. Our lawyers approach every case with both tenacity and care – we are determined to get a result. We also genuinely care about our clients’ mental and emotional health throughout this journey. You can rely on us to handle your case professionally and compassionately from start to finish.

Why Choose Our Workplace Harassment Lawyers?

Not all solicitors are the same. When you’re dealing with something as serious as workplace harassment, you need a legal team that truly understands these cases and will prioritise you. Here’s why employees across the UK turn to Settlement Agreement Lawyers for harassment and bullying issues:

• Specialist Expertise: This is our focus. We are seasoned employment lawyers specialising in harassment and bullying cases, with deep knowledge of the laws and tactics that deliver results. Our firm has handled countless workplace harassment matters – from subtle discrimination to egregious sexual harassment – so we know how to tackle any situation effectively.
• Strong Reputation: We have built a name as trusted employee advisors with integrity and skill. Our clients consistently give us positive feedback for our ability to resolve issues quickly and favourably. We’re proud of our strong reputation in employment law and invite you to review testimonials from people we’ve helped. When you choose us, you’re choosing a team that is respected in the industry and relentless in defending workers’ rights.
• High Success Rate: Our lawyers have a strong track record of securing justice for harassment victims, whether through negotiated settlements or tribunal victories. We measure our success by our clients’ satisfaction – and we’ve secured substantial compensation packages, favourable settlement terms, and meaningful apologies for many who have suffered workplace abuse. We bring that proven success to every new case, striving to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
• Fast Turnaround & Responsive Service: When you’re in a toxic work situation, time is critical. We recognise that you need help fast – delays can lead to continued stress or missed legal deadlines. That’s why our solicitors work with urgency. We offer fast turnaround times, often arranging initial consultations within 24 hours and acting promptly to protect your position (for example, drafting a grievance or starting legal proceedings quickly if needed). You’ll find us accessible and responsive whenever you have questions or concerns.
• Compassionate Support: Facing harassment can take a toll on your confidence and well-being. Our team genuinely cares about our clients. We provide a supportive, empathetic service – you’ll be treated with respect, patience, and understanding at all times. We take the time to listen to you and tailor our advice to your personal circumstances. You’re never just a case number to us; your story matters, and we’ll stand by you throughout this fight.
• Remote Nationwide Assistance: Wherever you are in England or Wales, our expert legal support is just a phone call or email away. We offer remote services so that you can get top-quality legal advice without the need for face-to-face meetings (unless you prefer). Whether you’re in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, or working from home in a small town, you can easily work with our lawyers via telephone, video conferencing, and email. This flexible approach means you get the help you need quickly and conveniently, no matter where you are. We’ve successfully represented clients from all over the country, and we can do the same for you.

When you choose Settlement Agreement Lawyers, you’re choosing dedicated specialists who will fight your corner and treat you with care. Our combination of legal prowess, rapid action, and personal support sets us apart. We know what it takes to win these cases and, most importantly, we never forget the human side of the struggle. Let us take on the legal complexities while you focus on reclaiming your peace of mind.

Contact Us for Confidential Advice

If you’re experiencing harassment or bullying in the workplace, don’t suffer in silence – talk to us today. Our friendly, knowledgeable employment solicitors will assess your situation and explain your options in plain English. Contact us for a confidential, no-obligation consultation about your case. We’ll let you know how we can help and what steps you can take immediately to protect yourself.

You have rights, and you deserve to work in a safe, respectful environment. Let our expert team help you enforce those rights.

Whether you need urgent intervention to stop ongoing harassment or you want to explore a settlement or exit from a toxic job, we are ready to assist you. Reach out by phone or online, and you’ll get swift, supportive guidance from our lawyers.

Take the first step towards a safer future – get in touch with Settlement Agreement Lawyers now and let us help you secure the fair treatment and justice you deserve.