Bullying and harassment at work

Bullying and harassment are not always obvious. They may be subtle, become normalised over time or be dismissed as ‘banter’.

Examples of bulling and harassment 

Examples may include: 

• Intimidation, threats, or aggressive behaviour 
• Humiliation, exclusion or unfair criticism 
• Spreading rumours 
• Unreasonable workloads or deliberately blocking opportunities 
• Offensive, discriminatory or sexual comments 
• Harassing messages, emails or social media communications 
• Retaliation against someone who raises a concern 
• Abuse, harassment or intimidation from customers, clients or other third parties 

A single incident may be serious enough to require action. In other cases, bullying or harassment may develop through repeated behaviours that appear minor when viewed individually.

Signs employers may notice 

Low complaint numbers do not necessarily mean a workplace is free from bullying or harassment. Employees may be reluctant to report concerns because they fear retaliation, do not trust the process or are unsure where to seek help. 

Potential warning signs include: 

• Employees avoiding certain people, locations or activities  
• Poor behaviour being described as ‘just banter’  
• Concerns raised informally or anonymously 
• Complaints being discouraged or dismissed  
• Employees who raise concerns being treated differently 

What workplace data may show 

Employers may notice: 

• Repeated concerns about the same individual or team  
• Higher absence rates in a particular area 
• Increased staff turnover or transfer requests  
• Different workplace experiences across employee groups 
• Employee survey results showing low trust in reporting processes  

These indicators do not prove bullying or harassment is taking place, but they may identify areas that require further review. 

Page last reviewed: 29th October 2026