[UK] Workplace bullying claims at a record high

A record number of bullying claims have featured in lawsuits at the UK’s employment courts over the past year, indicating that while working from home is welcomed by many, for others it also contributes to tensions, Bloomberg UK reports.

Employment tribunals had a 44 per cent surge in cases that included bullying allegations, according to employment law firm Fox & Partners. The number reportedly jumped to 835 suits in the 12 months until the end of March, compared with 581 in the previous period. 

Employees may not sue employers directly for bullying but can include it under discrimination or whistle-blowing claims.

The steep increase spotlights challenges companies may face in dealing with problematic behaviour in and out of the office. UK employment tribunal claims for unfair dismissal are usually capped at a payout of just over £93,000 for employees let go after April this year. However, damages are unlimited if discrimination is proved.

The increase could be a wake-up call for many firms and shows that leadership teams have “struggled to maintain healthy workplaces during the shift to hybrid working,” Ivor Adair - a partner at Fox & Partners - said. 

Examples the firm reportedly gave included patterns of hard-to-identify bullying such as leaving colleagues out of remote meetings, gossiping on messaging apps and making cutting remarks on video calls, that are more difficult to address.

Source: Bloomberg UK

(Link and quote via original reporting)

A record number of bullying claims have featured in lawsuits at the UK’s employment courts over the past year, indicating that while working from home is welcomed by many, for others it also contributes to tensions, Bloomberg UK reports.

Employment tribunals had a 44 per cent surge in cases that included bullying allegations, according to employment law firm Fox & Partners. The number reportedly jumped to 835 suits in the 12 months until the end of March, compared with 581 in the previous period. 

Employees may not sue employers directly for bullying but can include it under discrimination or whistle-blowing claims.

The steep increase spotlights challenges companies may face in dealing with problematic behaviour in and out of the office. UK employment tribunal claims for unfair dismissal are usually capped at a payout of just over £93,000 for employees let go after April this year. However, damages are unlimited if discrimination is proved.

The increase could be a wake-up call for many firms and shows that leadership teams have “struggled to maintain healthy workplaces during the shift to hybrid working,” Ivor Adair - a partner at Fox & Partners - said. 

Examples the firm reportedly gave included patterns of hard-to-identify bullying such as leaving colleagues out of remote meetings, gossiping on messaging apps and making cutting remarks on video calls, that are more difficult to address.

Source: Bloomberg UK

(Link and quote via original reporting)