If you feel you are being singled out or bullied at work, you should not have to put up with it. There are steps you can take.

First, speak to the bully. A direct approach is usually the best. Work out what to say beforehand. Describe what has been happening and why you object to it. Stay calm and be polite. If you don’t want to talk to them yourself, ask someone else to do so for you.

Tell the person that you find their behaviour unacceptable and ask them to stop. This is sometimes all that is needed. Bullies do not like being confronted particularly by someone who is calm and civilised. Do not do this is the bullying has been happening for a long time and your confidence has gone.

The majority of bullying goes on behind closed doors. So tell a friend or work colleague. You may well find out you are not the only one who has suffered. It is important that you do not try to cope on your own.

If you are in a union and there is a union safety rep where you work, tell them what has been happening. This will be in confidence and does not mean that a formal complaint will automatically be made. A safety rep will only do what you want them to and will give you the advice and support you need. They will want to have the bullying stopped quietly and quickly and can go with you to speak to the bully, or see them on your behalf. They safety rep will also help you with a formal complaint, if it goes that far, giving advice and support throughout the procedure.

Keep a diary. This will give a vital record of the nature of the bullying and when it occurred. It will be important when the bully is confronted. Many of the incidents may appear trivial in isolation so it is important to establish a pattern over a period of time. If you do go down the route of legal action, this step is vital.

Tell your manager or supervisor. If it is one of them who is bullying you, go and tell their manager or HR. Take your diary with you to back up what you have to say. They may not believe you but you have at least told them there is a bullying problem. The more people that know, the more difficult it is for the bully to flourish. It is vital that you give your employer the opportunity to put things right. If you do not you will have no course for legal redress. Some employers have specially trained staff to help with bullying and harassment problems. They are sometimes called ‘harassment advisers’. If the bullying is affecting your health, visit your GP.

In the end you may have to make a formal complaint and go through the grievance procedure. If you do take this route, never go to a meeting connected with the complaint without your union rep or a friend as a witness. Consult your bullying and harassment procedure on how to do this. If your employer does not have a bullying and harassment policy seek legal advice.
Some awkward situations
Below are some examples of awkward situations you might face at work and suggestions on how they could be handled.

The bully is your manager and the grievance procedure says that is who you should speak to
Make the complaint in writing to your line manager and ask that it is passed on to another manager to look into. If that doesn’t happen, or isn’t possible, make the complaint to your boss’s manager or human resources department.

The person bullying you is a sole trader or the firm’s managing director or owner
Follow the grievance procedure. It may help you later if you have to take legal action against your employer.

Your boss is violent and abusive towards you and you are afraid to make a complaint
If you think that making a complaint will cause further bullying or harassment, you don’t need to follow normal grievance procedures. In cases like this, you can still then take legal action if you wish.

What about taking legal action?
Sometimes the problem continues even after you have followed your employer’s grievance procedure. If nothing is done to put things right, you can think about legal action, which may mean going to an Employment Tribunal. Get professional advice before taking this step.

If you have left your job because of bullying, you might be able to claim unfair ‘constructive’ dismissal. This can be difficult to prove, so it is important to get advice from a specialist lawyer or other professional.

Where to get help
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) offers free, confidential and impartial advice on all employment rights issues. You can call the Acas helpline on 08457 474 747.

Your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) can provide free and impartial advice. You can find your local CAB office in the phone book or online.

If you are a member of a trade union, you can get help, advice and support from them.

Here’s 10 steps you can take to fight it.
1. Deflect the bully if you can. Remain calm, stand firm, and try to keep up a confident appearance. Keep a detailed record of every incident; you will need it as proof if you decide to make a complaint.

2. Check your job description. If you suddenly find yourself being set menial tasks, or are given an increased workload with shorter deadlines, and it isn’t in your contract then you can do something about it.

3. Try to get witnesses to bullying incidents, and avoid situations where you are alone with the bully.

4. Get advice from your trade union, or from personnel and health and safety officers at work. Does your employer have a policy on harassment or against unacceptable behaviour?

5. Take a stress management course, and do some assertiveness training. They are good for your general health, and will help you in the future.

6. If you go ahead with a complaint, choose your words carefully. State the facts clearly, but don’t get sucked into a slanging match – you could be accused of malicious behaviour.

7. Get emotional support from your family and friends, talk to them about how you are feeling. Ask your GP about counselling. Take sick leave if you need it.

8. If you decide to leave your job because of the bullying, let your company know exactly why you are resigning. It may help others in the future.

9. If you wish to pursue a legal claim against your employer, start by taking advice from your union. If you have a good case, they will take it up on your behalf.

10. Many forms of legal action that may be possible, including industrial tribunals.