Bullying At Work – A Step Too Far?

Employers have a duty to provide a safe working environment to their employees, to ensure they are not discriminated against, and do not suffer harassment or victimisation, due to any of the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. However, when it comes to bullying at work, employers will have become aware that the 'bar' when behaviours cross the threshold to be classed as bullying seems to have lowered, which has increased the risk of litigation for employers.

Dominic Raab was accused of acting in an "intimidating" fashion, with "unreasonably and persistently aggressive conduct", in work meetings while he was Foreign Secretary. The alleged behaviour was seen as an abuse or misuse of power, in a way that undermined or humiliated his staff. The subsequent report concluded that Mr Raab had "acted in a manner which was intimidating" by going further than appropriate in "delivering critical feedback", and insulting officials by making "unconstructive