A legal definition of ‘workplace bullying’ is urgently needed, Thomas Beale, partner and head of the bullying and harassment team at Bolt Burdon Kemp, writes in this week’s NLJ
Beale highlights that, while recent changes in the law have obliged employers to take a proactive approach to prevention of sexual harassment, gaps in the law remain in terms of bullying. Legislating to create a legal definition, as proposed by the Bullying and Respect at Work Bill which is currently paused, would help tackle toxic workplace cultures where bullying sometimes flourishes.
He writes: ‘Regrettably, the inappropriate normalisation of uncivil behaviour in the workplace often leads to its dismissal as mere “banter”, significantly minimising its severity. The short and long-term psychological consequences for victims are frequently overlooked or trivialised.’
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