Definition Of Bullying And Harassment

The oxford dictionary defines harassment as aggressive pressure or intimidation.

Definition of bullying and harassment. Bullying and harassment is behaviour that makes someone feel intimidated or offended. Bullying is generally defined as unwelcome behavior that occurs over a period of time and is meant to harm someone who feels powerless to respond. Harassment can take many forms including spreading rumours verbal comments and jokes social media posts and abusive gestures or other physically offensive moves. Bullying and harassment are similar yet different.

Harassment is unlawful under the equality act 2010. There are multiple definitions of harassment but it occurs when an individual acts or says things towards another person with the intent to offend. When issues of harassment in the workplace are explored it quickly becomes apparent that this definition is too simplistic in its description. Harassment intimidation and bullying means any gesture written or verbal expression electronic communication or physical act that a reasonable person should know will harm another student damage another student s property place another student in reasonable fear of harm to the student s person or to disrupt or interfere with the school s educational mission or the education of any student.

Harassment is different from bullying in that it is a form of discrimination. Verbal bullying includes teasing and threatening.