One type of harassment is harassment related to protected characteristics.
This means the unwanted behaviour is related to any of the following protected characteristics:
- age
- disability
- gender reassignment
- race
- religion or belief
- sex
- sexual orientation
This applies when someone is being harassed because they:
- have the protected characteristic
- are thought to have the protected characteristic even when they do not
- have a connection with someone who has the protected characteristic
It also applies when someone witnesses harassment relating to the protected characteristic.
What the law does not cover
The law on harassment does not cover the protected characteristics of:
- marriage and civil partnership – but less favourable treatment because of this might be discrimination
- pregnancy and maternity – but unfavourable treatment because of this might be discrimination
If someone who's pregnant or on maternity leave experiences unwanted behaviour, this could be harassment related to sex. An example of this could be offensive comments about pregnant women.
What harassment related to protected characteristics looks like
Both one-off incidents and repeated behaviour can be harassment.
Harassment can be in:
- written communication, including online communication
- verbal comments
- jokes
- gestures
- physical behaviour
Example of harassment related to sexual orientation
Quinn is gay and has not told people at work. When out with their partner one evening, Quinn runs into someone from work. They tell the rest of the team that Quinn is gay. After this, people in the team start ignoring what Quinn says in daily team meetings. Quinn finds this humiliating and uncomfortable. This behaviour is likely to be harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation.
Example of harassment related to sex
Taylor is an apprentice and is the only man in a team of women. Taylor is expected to make drinks for everyone and do the washing up. Several people make comments that "it's nice to see a man doing the chores for once". This becomes a common joke in the team. Taylor feels disrespected and intimidated. This behaviour is likely to be harassment on the grounds of sex.
More examples of harassment related to a protected characteristic
Find more examples of harassment related to a protected characteristic in our advice on:
- age discrimination
- disability discrimination
- gender reassignment discrimination
- race discrimination
- religion or belief discrimination
- sex discrimination
- sexual orientation discrimination
Harassment by other workers and third parties
Harassment can come from:
- other workers at the same employer
- third parties
Harassment by another worker
If a worker is harassed by another worker, the employer could be responsible.
This is unless the employer has taken 'all reasonable steps' to prevent harassment.
Harassment by a third party
On 30 October 2026, the Employment Rights Act strengthened the law on harassment. Employers could be liable if the harassment is from a third party. This is unless they have taken all reasonable steps to prevent it.
A third party could be anyone a worker comes across through work. A third party can be someone who does not work for the same organisation.
This could include:
- customers
- clients
- service users, for example, school students or healthcare patients
- self-employed consultants, contractors or tradespeople
- people at conferences or events
- other members of the public, for example, in shared spaces
Harassment in the course of employment
Employers could be responsible for harassment by other workers or third parties. This is if it takes place 'in the course of employment'.
This does not mean just in the main workplace.
'In the course of their employment' might include things like:
- working from home
- travelling for work
- meeting with customers and clients in other locations
- going on an external training course
- attending an office party
Get more advice and support
You can find out more about what discrimination is and how it is covered by the law.
Acas also provides: