If someone has experienced or witnessed harassment at work, they can make a complaint to their employer. The employer should take it seriously and look into it as soon as possible.
Harassment can be very distressing. It can affect someone's mental health and wellbeing.
Employers should make sure that:
- workers know how to report harassment
- workers are able to report harassment without involving their immediate managers
- anyone who's experienced or witnessed harassment feels safe, protected and supported
- anyone accused of harassment is treated in an impartial and fair way
If you've experienced harassment
If you believe you've experienced harassment, you can make a complaint to your employer.
You should make a complaint as soon as possible. But if you make a complaint a long time after an incident has taken place, your employer should still take it seriously.
Find out what to do if you've been discriminated against
Witnessing harassment
If you think someone at work is being harassed, there are actions you can take.
This could include:
- trying to stop it happening if you feel it's safe
- supporting people
- giving evidence
Anyone can report a harassment issue they've seen or heard at work, even if it's not directed at them.
Witnessing harassment might also affect you personally. In some circumstances, you could make a harassment complaint yourself.
Find out more about witnessing discrimination
Handling a harassment complaint
If you're an employer or manager, you should look into any discrimination or harassment complaint in a way that's fair and sensitive to:
- the person who made the complaint
- anyone who witnessed it
- anyone accused of discrimination