Duties of managers and supervisors

The duty of managers to implement the policy, and their responsibilities for preventing workplace bullying and harassment and for taking action to eliminate it, should be stated. Managers should be trained in recognising bullying and harassment and in investigating complaints. This can be linked to equalities training, including training for disability awareness.

The Acas guidance says that employers need to set a good example, and that the behaviour of employers and senior managers is as important as any formal policy. A culture where employees are consulted and problems discussed is less likely to encourage bullying and harassment than one which uses an authoritarian management style.

Records are “personal data” and protected by data protection law, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation known as GDPR, which strengthened UK law in this area.