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ARTICLE · 01 SEPTEMBER 2023

Employment Update - May 2023

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Dominic Raab recently quit as deputy prime minister and justice secretary after an independent report upheld two claims of bullying against him. Mr Raab said the report "set a dangerous precedent"...

United KingdomEmployment and HR
Ed Mills
Ed Mills
Tim Gilbert
Tim Gilbert
Siân Keall
Siân Keall
Adam Wyman
Adam Wyman
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1 In the News

Bullying - what is the threshold?

Dominic Raab recently quit as deputy prime minister and justice secretary after an independent report upheld two claims of bullying against him. Mr Raab said the report "set a dangerous precedent" by "setting the threshold for bullying so low".

But what is bullying and when does managerial behaviour cross the line?

Unlike discrimination or harassment, there is no legal definition of bullying. It is described in Acas guidance as "unwanted behaviour" that is either "offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting" or "an abuse or misuse of power that undermines, humiliates, or causes physical or emotional harm to someone." In practice, it can be difficult to distinguish between firm management and conduct which crosses the line. Often context is critical, and behaviours are particularly likely to be considered inappropriate when they are repeated and/or there is an imbalance of power such as between

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