Health and safety law 2019 (July 2019)

Chapter 11

Common law protection

[ch 11: page 207]

Under the common law, employers may be (and have been) held liable for psychiatric or psychological damage caused by bullying or harassment at work. The discussion above on psychiatric injury caused by work-related stress (see pages 204-205) applies equally here.

There is more detailed information available in the LRD’s annual employment law guide Law at Work (www.lrdpublications.org.uk/lawatwork).

LRD Booklet, Equality Law at Work — a guide for trade unions and working people (www.lrdpublications.org.uk/publications.php?pub=BK&iss=1944)

LRD Booklet, Tackling bullying and harassment at work — a guide for union reps and workers (www.lrdpublications.org.uk/publications.php?pub=BK&iss=1962)


This information is copyright to the Labour Research Department (LRD) and may not be reproduced without the permission of the LRD.