How can bullying and harassment affect workers?

Last updated: 28 Feb 2024

Bullying and harassment in the workplace is an abuse of personal power or official authority.

It can humiliate people, destroy their confidence, have a detrimental effect on their health and hit attendance and job performance. Careers may be damaged in the long term, ultimately leading to resignation.

Download our guide to harassment and bullying


Support for members

If you’re a Prospect member and you’re unsure whether a situation you’re experiencing classifies as harassment, please speak to your local representative or contact us.

Prospect members

Please call the member contact centre on 0300 600 1878 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 7pm) or email [email protected].

Bectu members

Please call 0300 600 1878.

All enquiries will be treated with complete confidentiality.


Getting help

Bectu seeks to raise awareness of what constitutes unacceptable behaviour, to help prevent it from occurring. We also advise members and representatives on how to deal with it.

A Bectu full-time officer should always be involved if it seems likely that a case will proceed to an employment tribunal.

If you’re not sure who your full-time officer is, contact us.

Prospect members

Please call the member contact centre on 0300 600 1878 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 7pm) or email [email protected].

Bectu members

Please call 0300 600 1878.

Members are advised to contact their local rep and/or full-time officer at the earliest opportunity. Work in film and TV? Visit our industry bullying and harrasment page to find out more about getting support.

Workplace and other legal assistance is offered at the discretion of the union, and is decided on the facts and merits of each case. For full details see Prospect’s guide to legal advice.


Who else can help?

Equality and Human Rights Commission

End Violence Against Women

ACAS