Bullying is characterised as “offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means that undermine, humiliate, denigrate, or injure the recipient.”
The Equality Act 2010 defines harassment as "unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characterisic, which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for the individual."
The nine protected characteristics, as specified within the Equality Act 2010, are:
- age
- disability
- gender reassignment
- marriage and civil partnership
- pregnancy and maternity
- race
- religion and belief
- sex
- sexual orientation
It is unlawful to discriminate against anyone on the basis of these characteristics. It is important to remember that bullying, harassment and discrimination cannot be reduced to a prescriptive list, but can take many and multiple forms. If any member of the University believes that they, or a colleague, are being treated unfairly in any way, it is always worth reporting this.