Bullying and harassment make someone feel anxious and humiliated. Feelings of anger at being unable to cope may be triggered. Some people may try to retaliate in some way. Others may become frightened and demotivated. Almost always job performance is affected and relations in the workplace suffer.
Employers are responsible for preventing bullying and harassing behaviour.
An organisational statement to all staff about the standards of behaviour expected can make it easier for all individuals to be fully aware of their responsibilities to others. Employers are usually liable in law for the acts of their workers, and this includes bullying or harassing behaviour . Certain types of harassment, such as stalking, are covered in criminal law by the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, and the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. Such actions might include failure by the employer to deal with any complaint of bullying or harassment, or failure to protect their employees from bullying or harassing behaviour. Bullying or harassment are often clear cut but sometimes people are unsure whether or not the way they are being treated is acceptable.