Bullying and Harassment at Work — What To Do Before It Gets Worse

Being bullied or harassed at work? Here's how to protect yourself, build your case, and take control — before it gets worse.

Most people experiencing workplace bullying make the same mistakes. They don't record incidents properly. They raise it too late. They rely on verbal complaints that can be denied. They lose control emotionally at the wrong moment.

By the time they act — it's harder to prove.

This guide shows you how to take control early — whether you're at the start of a problem or already in the middle of one.

What's inside — 28 pages:

✔ Reality check — why most people handle this the wrong way, and how to avoid those mistakes

✔ Start immediately — exactly what to record, how to record it, and where to store it safely

✔ Bullying vs harassment — the legal difference and why it matters

✔ Your employer's legal responsibilities — what they must do and what happens if they don't

✔ Using HR properly — why written formal complaints trigger action when verbal ones don't

✔ Building your case — what strengthens your position and what weakens it

✔ Behaviour vs character — how to report in a way that's hard to dismiss

✔ Medical evidence — why seeing your GP matters and what to tell them

✔ Witnesses — how bystanders can become your strongest evidence

✔ Reality check on outcomes — what to expect and how to be prepared

✔ Escalation path — step by step from informal to external

✔ Time limits — what you need to know before legal action becomes relevant

Toolkit included:

Incident Log — 10-row table, complete after every incident

Evidence Checklist — 10 types of evidence rated and tracked

Formal Complaint Letter Template — factual, specific, ready to adapt

This guide is for you if:

You're being bullied or harassed and don't know how to handle it

You've tried raising it informally and nothing has changed

You want to build a solid case before making a formal complaint

You're unsure whether what's happening counts as harassment under the law

Based on 28 years of workplace rights and trade union representation experience. Written in plain English. Equality Act 2010 compliant. UK employment law.

This guide provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific advice consult ACAS or a qualified professional.