Bullying can have disastrous consequences, warns Jonathan Chamberlain
Bullying, according to the Andrea Adams Trust, is “a gradual wearing down process that makes individuals feel demeaned and inadequate” and involves “unwanted humiliating offensive behaviour… abuse of power or position”. ACAS defines it as “offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour and abuse or misuse of power through means intended to undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the recipient”.
In employment law terms, ‘harassment’ is also relevant; ACAS defines it as “unwanted conduct affecting the dignity of men and women in the workplace. It may be related to age, sex, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation, nationality or any personal characteristic of the individual and may be persistent or an isolated in...