Workplace bullying: signs, your rights and what to do

If you dread going to work because of how someone treats you, you're not overreacting, and you're not alone. Bullying at work can be loud or quiet, obvious or hard to put your finger on, but it is never "just part of the job".

This page explains what counts as bullying, how to tell it apart from banter or a bad day, what your rights are, and what you can do about it, step by step. If you'd rather talk it through with someone now, we're here.

Being bullied at work and need someone to talk to?
Call us free on 08081 311 333 or chat with us online. It's free and confidential, and we've got your back.

What is workplace bullying?

Workplace bullying is repeated behaviour that is offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting, and that undermines, humiliates or harms the person on the receiving end.

There's no single legal definition of bullying in UK law, but experts agree on the key points: it's deliberate, it's persistent, and it happens over a period of time. It can come from a manager, a colleague, a customer or a supplier, and it can happen face to face, over the phone, by email, on WhatsApp or on social media.

Bullying doesn't have to involve shouting. In a lot of workplaces it's quieter than that: being frozen out, picked on in front of others, or set up to fail.

Examples of workplace bullying

Bullying at work can include:

• Name-calling or put-downs, including "jokes" that are always at your expense
• Being ignored or excluded, such as left out of conversations, meetings, group chats or the tea round
• Constant criticism or picking at everything you do, however well you do it
• Spreading rumours or gossip about you
• Setting you up to fail, through impossible deadlines, withholding information or changing the goalposts
• Aggressive behaviour, such as shouting, intimidation, threats or throwing things
• Abusing a position of power to make you feel threatened or undermined
• Threats about your job, or blocking your training, hours or progression
• Online bullying, through messages, posts or group chats. See What is cyberbullying?

Signs you're being bullied at work

Sometimes the hardest part is knowing whether what's happening to you "counts". These are common signs that you're being bullied:

• The same person targets you again and again, and others get treated differently
• You feel humiliated, belittled or on edge around certain people
• Your work is criticised unfairly, or you're given tasks nobody else would be
• You're left out of things that you should be part of
• You've started to doubt your own ability, or you've lost your confidence
• You feel anxious on Sunday nights, or dread the journey in
• You're finding excuses not to go to work, or you're thinking about leaving a job you used to enjoy

Bullying can also affect you outside work, with poor sleep, headaches, low mood, anxiety and changes in appetite.

You don't need to be sure it's "officially" bullying before you ask for help. If how you're being treated is making you miserable, that's reason enough to get support.

"It's just banter" or is it bullying?

Every workplace has its own culture, and in garages, dealerships and workshops that often includes plenty of joking and winding each other up. Banter can be a good-natured way for colleagues to get on. It becomes bullying when:

• It's one-sided. Only one person is on the receiving end, and they're not laughing
• It keeps happening. The same person is picked on again and again
• It's about power or control. The aim, or the effect, is to put someone down or make them feel small
• You've said it bothers you and it carries on anyway

What about one-off incidents? A single argument, a bad-tempered outburst or a thoughtless joke is upsetting, but on its own it isn't usually bullying. People have bad days, and we don't always know what's going on in someone's life. But if it becomes a pattern, or it's being used to gain power over you, it's a different story.

Is bullying at work illegal?

Bullying itself isn't a specific offence in UK law, but that doesn't mean you have no protection. Depending on what's happening, the law may help in several ways:

• Harassment under the Equality Act 2010. If the unwanted behaviour is related to a protected characteristic (such as age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or gender reassignment) and it violates your dignity or creates a hostile, degrading or humiliating environment, it can be unlawful harassment.
• Protection from Harassment Act 1997. A pattern of behaviour that amounts to harassment can be both a civil and a criminal matter.
• Your employer's duty of care. Employers have a legal duty to keep employees safe and to take reasonable care of their health, including mental health. They also have a duty not to destroy the trust and confidence between employer and employee.
• Constructive dismissal. If your employer's treatment of you is so serious that you feel you have no choice but to resign, you may be able to bring a claim. This is a complicated area, so get advice before you resign.

Time limits matter. From 1 October 2026, most employment tribunal claims in England, Wales and Scotland must be brought within six months (less one day) of the act you're complaining about, and you generally have to go through Acas early conciliation first. Before that date it was three months. The rules on unfair dismissal are also changing from 1 January 2027, so check current guidance.

This page is general information, not legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, contact Acas (0300 123 1100), Citizens Advice, your trade union or a solicitor.

How to deal with bullying at work: step by step

Bullying is more common than people realise, and what makes the difference between work being tolerable and work being miserable is how it's dealt with. You don't have to do all of these, and you don't have to do them in order. Do what feels safe and right for you.

1. Get to know your company's policy

Your employer should have a policy on behaviour at work, often called an anti-bullying, dignity at work or grievance policy. Check your staff handbook or intranet, or ask. It will set out how to raise a concern and what steps your employer should take.

2. Keep a diary of what's happening

This is one of the most useful things you can do. It helps show a pattern over time and it can be used as evidence. For every incident, note:

• The date, time and place
• Who was involved
• What happened, in as much detail as you can
• Whether there were any witnesses
• How it affected you

Keep any relevant emails, texts, screenshots of messages or social media posts, and photos or videos. Store copies somewhere safe that your employer can't access (not just your work email).

3. Consider speaking to the person, if you feel safe

If you feel able to, the first step can be to talk to the person directly and tell them calmly how their behaviour is affecting you. Sometimes people genuinely don't realise. If you don't feel safe or comfortable doing this, you don't have to. Skip to step 4.

4. Tell someone at work

Speak to your line manager, HR, a senior manager or your trade union rep. If your manager is the problem, go to the next level up or to HR. They have a duty to take your concerns seriously.

5. Talk to someone you trust

They might not be able to fix things, but being bullied can be very isolating, and talking helps you feel less alone. That could be a friend, a family member or a colleague you trust, or one of our advisers.

6. Make a formal complaint

If informal steps haven't worked, or the bullying is serious, you can raise a formal grievance. Put it in writing, stick to facts and dates, and say what outcome you'd like. Keep a copy.

7. If your employer doesn't act

If your complaint isn't taken seriously or the bullying continues, you still have options. You can contact Acas for free, confidential advice, appeal the outcome of your grievance, speak to your union or a solicitor, and, if needed, consider early conciliation and a tribunal claim. Remember the time limits above.

8. Look after yourself

Bullying takes a toll. Make time for the things that help you cope, get enough sleep, and speak to your GP if you're struggling with your mental health.

You don't have to deal with this alone.
If you're being bullied and need help or someone to talk to, call us free on 08081 311 333 or chat with us online. We've got your back.

Bullying in the motor trade

Garages, dealerships, bodyshops and workshops can be tough environments, and "that's just how it is here" is something we hear a lot. But it doesn't have to be. Apprentices and new starters can be particularly vulnerable, as can anyone who's seen as "different" or who speaks up.

Whatever your role, you have the right to work without being humiliated, intimidated or put down.

If you manage people

If you're a manager, employer or HR professional, you have a responsibility to spot and stop bullying in your team.

More support from Ben

• Talk to us: call free on 08081 311 333 or chat online
• Wellbeing and mental health support
• What is cyberbullying?