By Daniel Picard. Last Updated 16th January 2023. Welcome to our bullying at work compensation guide. If you have experienced harassment, discrimination or bullying in the workplace then please speak to one of our friendly and helpful advisors at Legal Helpline to find out how you may be able to claim compensation for bullying at work you have experienced.
We will explain the process to you and as soon as you are ready, we will assist you in filing your claim. Call us today on 0161 696 9685. We look forward to hearing from you. Read on to find out more about making a claim for bullying in the workplace.
Jump to a Section
- A Guide To Claiming Compensation For Bullying And Harassment
- What Is Bullying In The Workplace?
- What Forms Of Bullying At Work Could You Claim Compensation For?
- Workplace Bullying Statistics – Nearly One In Three Are Bullied At Work
- What Circumstances Can Lead To Me Making A Bullying At Work Claim?
- Bullying At Work – Can I Sue My Employer For Stress And Anxiety In The UK?
- Bullying At Work Compensation – What Evidence Will I Need?
- Bullying At Work Case Study
- How To Start A Compensation Claim For Harassment Or Bullying At Work
- What You Can Claim For If Bullied At Work
- Workplace Bullying – Calculating Bullying at Work Compensation
- No Win No Fee Bullying At Work Claims
- Why Choose To Make A Claim With Our Team?
- Speak To Our Team Today
- Helpful Resources
A Guide To Claiming Compensation For Bullying And Harassment
Bullying at work compensation
Bullying at work can be both distressing and damaging to your mental health, confidence and self-esteem. What begins as gentle teasing can sometimes progress into a much more serious form of harassment. The good news is however that there are steps you can take to stop the bullying from happening. We will explain later in this guide the best course of action for you to take if you are experiencing bullying at work.
Unfortunately, employers do not always take these claims seriously or fail to act appropriately to stop the harassment from taking place. If this has been your experience then you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation in order to seek damages for the pain and suffering you have experienced. Please read on to find out more about the forms that bullying can take, some statistics about bullying at work and what you can begin to do to build a claim for bullying at work compensation.
What Is Bullying In The Workplace?
Bullying in the workplace can take a number of different forms from outright rudeness and arguments or even physical confrontation, right through to subtly ignoring somebody and disregarding their contribution to group chats. Criticising somebody inappropriately and unnecessarily or giving them an unmanageable workload can also be construed as bullying. Individuals who are experiencing bullying at work may suffer psychological harm and are likely to be very unhappy and suffering low self-esteem.
Bullying can also lead to mental illness including depression. Someone who is experiencing bullying and harassment at work is unlikely to want to attend the workplace or feel motivated to complete their tasks once they are there.
Bullying can occur if a team member is considered to be weaker than others or because the bully feels threatened by the victim’s competency or strength. Studies show that nearly everybody has experienced some level of bullying in the workplace at some time. However, it can be difficult to define or prove.
Some people are more at risk than others. Women seem to experience a higher level of bullying than men and it would appear to be targeted more readily at victims over the age of 40. Workplace bullying is not necessarily restricted to teammates and a large percentage of complaints are made against people in managerial positions.
For further information about bullying at work compensation, get in touch with our team today.
What Forms Of Bullying At Work Could You Claim Compensation For?
The term bullying encompasses a number of different types of harassment at work which is covered by the Equity Act of 2010. Examples of bullying which may be covered by this legislation include the following:
- Harming career progression. Removing the opportunity for promotion or the possibility of training to enhance skills. Although hard to prove this is still counted as a form of bullying, albeit in a passive way. There is no attempt to cause active harm but seek to reduce the opportunities that the employee has access to in the workplace.
- Ongoing criticism. If an employee is working to a satisfactory standard but still faces criticism and is undermined by managers or coworkers then this can be construed as harassment as there is no true basis for the criticism.
- Offensive statements and humiliation. Making jokes at somebody else’s expense can be very hurtful, as can the use of offensive words. This is a very recognisable form of bullying at work whereby somebody is made fun of on a regular basis. Without a doubt, this could be proved to be harassment.
- Unequal treatment. Everybody has a right to be treated equally at work. If a member of staff feels as though they are being singled out for unfair treatment and are experiencing different treatment to the other people around them then they may be able to claim compensation for workplace bullying due to discrimination at work.
- Malicious rumours and gossip. It is not uncommon for rumours and gossip to circulate in the workplace environment. If the rumours are spread with malice and this does damage to a person’s reputation then this can be considered harassment at work.
Harassment
Harassment does not always need to take place on a face-to-face basis in order for you to seek bullying at work compensation. Bullying at work can also occur online, on paper via the written word or on the telephone. Claims for bullying are usually made when the harassment takes place on an ongoing basis but please be aware that you may still be able to raise personal injury claims for isolated incidents.
There are numerous ways in which you can experience bullying at work, the possibilities are almost endless. Some may make you eligible for bullying at work compensation. There are many forms of bullying for which you can seek to make a personal injury claim. Whilst some will be harder to prove than others, the law is very clear about some forms of harassment which can never be tolerated. Here are some examples:
- Where a person is bullied or treated unequally due to their sexual orientation.
- Where a person is bullied or treated unequally due to the beliefs that they have or religion that they follow.
- Where a person is bullied or treated unequally as a result of their skin colour, race or place of birth.
- Where a person is bullied or treated unequally as a result of their gender. This not only affects men and women but also covers individuals who have undergone gender reassignment or who identify as cross-gender.
- Where a person is bullied or treated unequally due to a mental or physical disability.
- Where there is discrimination due to age, be that young or old.
Workplace Bullying Statistics – Nearly One In Three Are Bullied At Work
The workplace bullying statistics are rather frightening as almost one in 3 people (29%) state that they have experienced bullying at work. If you are one of these individuals then please be aware that you may be entitled to claim compensation for workplace bullying. It isn’t something that you are required to tolerate or ignore, you are fully within your rights to take action against the perpetrator.
The bullying statistics perhaps show an increase in the incidents of harassment due to the ease with which bullying can occur thanks to the ever-increasing use of technology. Communication is easier and instantaneous and an increasing number of people are experiencing online bullying. This is particularly true of young people. In 2015 around 1.5 million young people under 21 had been bullied at work. 19% of those people experienced harassment on a daily basis. More women than men claim that they have been bullied at work with 57% of women saying they have experienced bullying. The figures are even higher for transgender individuals, 59% state that they have been harassed at work. Sadly, 72% of bullying cases are carried out by somebody in a managerial position.
Of the people that have experienced bullying and unreasonable behaviour in the workplace, 44% go on to suffer depression, 41% experience anxiety and a third of people who have been bullied claim to have had thoughts of suicide which have been directly attributable to the bullying. 1 in 5 people have taken time off work as a result of bullying and nearly half of them say it affects their performance negatively whilst they are at work.
There’s no need to suffer harassment at work in silence. Action can be taken to put a stop to this inappropriate and offensive behaviour. And we can help you take it. So to learn more about seeking bullying at work compensation, get in touch with our specialist team today.
What Circumstances Can Lead To Me Making A Bullying At Work Claim?
It is not straightforward to make a claim for harassment and bullying therefore we strongly suggest you find a personal injury solicitor to help you. It can be tricky to find ways in which to make your employer liable to pay compensation. In order to fit the criteria you need to be able to prove the following:
- The bullying at work must be proved to be a direct consequence of doing your job. If the bullying occurs outside of work or is instigated by a person who was simply met through work then you may not be able to claim directly from your employer.
- You must prove that the bullying could not be avoided and was linked directly with your role or the project that was being done.
- There must be a clear link between the bullying at work and the mental health problem suffered as a result.
This is only relevant if you intend to make a claim against your employer. If you are trying to claim against another individual in the workplace then these rules do not necessarily apply.
Bullying At Work – Can I Sue My Employer For Stress And Anxiety In The UK?
If your mental health has been affected due to bullying at work, your employer could be liable for a claim, whether they were doing the bullying or not. However, they need to have been made aware of any instances of bullying beforehand. If they were, your employer would have breached their duty of care to you if they do not take any action to intervene.
If you’re being bullied at work by your boss, the duty of care is also being breached. This is because your employer is actively breaching their duty to take reasonably practicable steps to ensure your well-being in work.
If you’ve suffered at work due to harassment, compensation could be owed to you. Get in touch today to find out more.
Bullying At Work Compensation – What Evidence Will I Need?
To successfully claim bullying at work compensation you will need evidence to prove that you were being bullied and that you suffered harm or loss as a result.
When seeking compensation for harassment at work, you should consider obtaining evidence such as:
- Medical evidence – If you are suffering a psychological injury like anxiety as a result of being bullied, a diagnosis from a doctor or notes from a therapist could be helpful.
- Witness details – Collect the contact information of colleagues who witnessed you being bullied in the workplace.
- Make notes – Keep a log of any incidents, including what happened, who was involved, and the date and time the incident occurred.
- Correspondence – If you have correspondence between you and the at-fault party, this could help prove the bullying occurred. Any correspondence between you and your employer may also be helpful if you reported the issue to them.
If you get in touch with our advisors, they could further discuss what evidence could be useful for your claim and bullied at work compensation.
Bullying At Work Case Study
In order to reassure you that making a bullying at work compensation claim can be worthwhile, we would like to share a case study with you:
In a particularly serious case of workplace bullying, a 39-year-old lady was awarded £682,325 to compensate her for depression and ultimately a psychotic breakdown which was caused following a long period of workplace bullying. This woman worked in the administration department of the ambulance service and was regularly insulted by her colleagues and line managers. It was suggested that she was a woman inappropriately working in what was described as a “man’s world”. She was then signed off work with depression. On returning to work the lady was given a new job and a new line manager but she continued to suffer verbal abuse from management.
This lady was once again signed off from work by her GP with depression, hallucinations and delusions and was subsequently referred to a crisis team. Following her return to work after she had recovered from this psychotic episode she was then made redundant. She successfully claimed disability discrimination and unfair dismissal. It was decided that her employer had failed in their duty of care to protect her from psychological injury. The judge agreed that bullying and harassment had taken place and she was not supported by her employer.
How To Start A Compensation Claim For Harassment Or Bullying At Work
If after reading this guide it becomes clear that you have been the victim of bullying or harassment at work and you wish to make a claim, then we strongly suggest you get in touch with us. We can provide a personal injury lawyer who can advise you and begin to build a case on your behalf. At Legal Helpline we offer an initial consultation for free, during which we will gather details about your claim and ask you further questions. If the solicitor thinks you have a strong chance of winning your case then they will be able to offer you a no win no fee agreement. This means you will not be required to pay any fees upfront before commencing your claim.
What You Can Claim For If Bullied At Work
If you experienced bullying at work and have successfully made a bullying claim within the personal injury claims time limit, you may be able to receive compensation for the following types of damages:
- General damages. General damages cover any pain and suffering you have experienced as a result of the bullying. In the case of bullying, this is likely to include any psychological damage you have suffered. This can include being unable to cope with the daily tasks in your life, being unable to attend work and seeing a detrimental impact on your relationship with family and friends. You may also have experienced increased feelings of vulnerability and low self-esteem. You may even have been diagnosed with depression or anxiety.
- Medical expenses. If you have been subject to any out-of-pocket medical expenses as a result of the bullying then you can claim these back, assuming you keep all records and receipts. This may include counselling sessions or other types of therapy to help you recover from your symptoms.
- Travel expenses. If you have been required to pay any travel expenses which are directly related to your bullying at work claim then you may be able to claim these back also. This can include travel to and from medical appointments.
- Loss of earnings. If you were unable to attend work or had to give up your job as a result of the bullying at work then you can claim loss of earnings. You may either be entitled to a straightforward loss of earnings for the days or weeks that you were unable to attend or in more serious cases you may be able to claim loss of future earnings if your potential for progressing in your career has been damaged as a result of the bullying.
- Care costs. If you became so ill that you were unable to complete basic tasks around the house and required another individual to come and care for you then you may be able to claim care costs as a result.
Victimisation compensation amounts and discrimination payouts in the UK can often vary depending on the circumstances of your case. For more information, contact our team of advisors today.
Workplace Bullying – Calculating Bullying at Work Compensation
Workplace bullying can potentially cause a variety of issues that you could claim for. In personal injury claims, it’s possible to claim for both physical and psychological injuries that stem from harassment at work.
You may wonder if there is an average payout for stress at work. Since every bullying at work compensation claim is unique, we cannot provide an average. The effects of workplace bullying can be different for different people and the injuries sustained can be varied.
Compensation for being bullied at work is determined not only by the severity of your injury but also by the impact it has on your life. Your bullied at work compensation claim could also include financial losses incurred due to your injury. Furthermore, solicitors use compensation amounts from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) to help them value claims.
The table below, showing related injuries and their corresponding compensation payouts, is taken from the 16th edition of the JCG. The amounts shown in the table are only a guide and may not match the bullying at work compensation you may receive in a successful claim.
| Injury Type | Compensation Bracket | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Anguish (e) | £4,670 | Fear of impending death or reduction of life. |
| Severe Psychiatric Damage (a) | £54,830 to £115,730 | Issues coping with life, education, work, relationships and treatment. |
| Moderately Severe Psychiatric Damage (b) | £19,070 to £54,830 | Issues similar to above, with a more optimistic prognosis. |
| Moderate Psychiatric Damage (c) | £5,860 to £19,070 | Marked improvement by trial, with a better prognosis. |
| Less Severe Psychiatric Damage (e) | £1,540 to £5,860 | Consideration given to length of period of disability. |
| Severe PTSD (a) | £59,860 to £100,670 | Permanent effects preventing function at the pre-trauma level. |
| Moderately Severe PTSD (b) | £23,150 to £59,860 | Cases where some recovery is possible with professional help, with some disabling effects remaining. |
| Moderate PTSD (c) | £8,180 to £23,150 | Cases of large recovery with no remaining disabling effects. |
| Less Severe PTSD (d) | £3,950 to £8,180 | A virtually full recovery within two years. |
Our advisors can provide a free estimation of the value of your claim when you call today.
Compensation For Harassment – Other Amounts
Part of the reason we cannot provide an average payout for stress at work is that your claim could include special damages. This could be included in your compensation for harassment. If you have suffered any financial losses or expenses as a result of being bullied at work, then compensation might be awarded under special damages.
Special damages may include:
- A loss of income due to taking time off work to recover from mental health problems caused by being bullied by colleagues
- The cost of prescription drugs to cope with symptoms of issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety
- If you have begun therapy to cope with the aftermath of being bullied at work, you may be compensated for these fees
It’s crucial that you retain evidence to prove special damages, such as:
- Payslips
- Invoices
- Receipts
- Bank statements
Our advisors can offer you free guidance on collecting evidence in order to claim compensation for harassment. Call the number above for more information.
No Win No Fee Bullying At Work Claims
Making claims for bullying at work compensation with Legal Helpline will not cost you any upfront fees and will not cost you anything if we don’t win your bullying claim. No Win No Fee is a way of claiming compensation that has been available to victims of personal injury for several years and can help process a claim without the claimant having to find money to fund it.
Here at Legal Helpline, we are able to assure you that our solicitors we provide to you work entirely on this basis, and that means you only pay a legal fee when your bullying claim has successfully resulted in a compensation payout. We are always very happy to explain more about No Win No Fee and how our agreement works to you over the phone and can walk you through all of the various details so that you are completely clear on how this type of agreement works.
Why Choose To Make A Claim With Our Team?
Legal Helpline is a Claims Management Company working with a panel of solicitors from across the country, some of whom have 30 years of experience in dealing with personal injury claims. We have an excellent reputation in the field and regularly receive positive feedback from our clients. Our success rate is second to none and we go the extra mile by putting customers at the heart of our service. We are always available to take your call and look forward to hearing from you. We can then put you in touch with one of our panel of brilliant personal injury solicitors.
Bullying at Work Compensation FAQs
Here are some questions that are frequently asked about bullying at work compensation and how to get it.
How much can you sue for workplace harassment?
There is no average payout for bullying at work compensation. Instead, each case is assessed and valued according to the severity of the claimant’s suffering. To determine this, an independent medical report will be written up in the wake of a professional examination.
Can I sue my employer for stress and anxiety?
Just like claiming for physical injuries, you can also claim for any stress and anxiety that bullying at work caused you to suffer.
How long does it take to claim compensation for bullying at work?
If you’ve been bullied at work, compensation could be owed to you. However, the amount of time it takes to make a compensation for bullying at work claim will vary on a case-by-case basis. Due to the unique nature of every claim, each instance will take a different amount of time.
If the defendant admits liability straight away, this could potentially mean the claim is settled quicker, though this may not always be the case.
Certain factors will need to be considered during the process of a claim. For instance:
- An investigation into the alleged bullying will need to be carried out
- The workplace environment may need to be assessed
- A psychological evaluation may need to be undertaken
- The extent of the effect on your mental health needs to be taken into account
These steps and more can take time. However, it’s possible that some claims will draw to a conclusion in a relatively short period of time. To find out more, get in touch with our advisors today.
Speak To Our Team Today
Once you have decided that you would like to make a claim, we will be very happy to help you. As a Claims Management Company working with some of the leading solicitors in the field of personal injury, you can feel confident that you have made an excellent choice by contacting Legal Helpline. One of the highly experienced and helpful members of our team are on hand to help with your queries, large or small. Call today on 0161 696 9685.
Helpful Resources
Workplace bullying and harassment – The government’s advice on workplace incidents.
Assault At Work Compensation Claims – If you have been assaulted at work, then this should provide some pertinent information.
Bullying – Some advice on bullying at work.
Mental health and bullying – NHS resources on mental health and workplace bullying might also be of use.
More Helpful Guides
- Assault Compensation Claims
- Manual Handling Claims
- Accident At Work Claims
- Broken Arm In The Workplace
- Reporting Historical Abuse