The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) are currently highlighting to employers that bullying and harassment can still happen when employees are working from home. For example, through social media, emails, phone calls or online chat.
ACAS stress that examples of bullying and harassment that can happen remotely include:
- inappropriately stopping someone from coming to meetings or activities;
- putting humiliating, offensive or threatening comments or photos on social media;
- putting someone down in meetings;
- revealing sensitive personal information;
- spreading false rumours;
- not acknowledging an individual’s request to speak online (i.e ignoring the ‘hand up’ icon).
Employers should include guidance on the use of different communication methods, including social media, in bullying or disciplinary policies. This should clearly set out what behaviour is unacceptable.
How we can help
At S.E. Hunter Associates we can help to navigate the legal obligations concerning the prevention of Bullying and Harassment for Home Workers and help employers achieve their obligations under the Equality Act 2010.
Services we offer that can help include:
- Creating or updating a policy on bullying and harassment to include specific reference to bullying remote workers;
- Creating a policy on the use of social media both in and outside the core working day;
- Raising awareness on what bullying and harassment can look like day-to-day for both in-house and remote workers;
- Creating a bullying and harassment policy and process to incorporate and specify remote workers;
- Creating or updating disciplinary and grievance procedures;
- Delivering training to employees and managers as to what constitutes bullying and harassment in the workplace and for remote workers.
If you would like to discuss any of the above, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us, either by mailing info@sehunterassociates.co.uk or calling 07838184094.