All posts tagged: Bullying

What Legally Counts As Workplace Bullying?

What Legally Counts As Workplace Bullying?

Legal comment provided by Jayne Harrison, Head of Employment Law at Richard Nelson LLP. Recently, reports claimed that Channel 5′s Dan Walker is set to appear before an employment tribunal following allegations of workplace bullying. But what is the legal definition of workplace bullying to begin with – and how can you tell if it’s happening to you? What are your rights if you think you’re being bullied in a professional setting? We spoke to Jayne Harrison, a head of employment law, about the topic. What’s the legal definition of workplace bullying? There isn’t a single legal definition of bullying. But, Harrison told us, “ACAS defines workplace bullying as offensive, intimidating, or malicious behaviour that abuses, undermines, or humiliates the recipient. “Bullying is usually characterised by behaviour that is directed at an individual, either with the intent to cause distress or with reckless disregard for the consequences. This behaviour must go beyond the ordinary unpleasantness of a workplace and create a foreseeable risk of harm.” Additionally, bullying can involve a pattern of repeated and deliberate …

Dan Walker co-presenter Claudia-Liza Wanderpuije claims Channel 5 has ‘racist culture’ amid bullying allegation

Dan Walker co-presenter Claudia-Liza Wanderpuije claims Channel 5 has ‘racist culture’ amid bullying allegation

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Former Channel 5 News presenter Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije has alleged that the show has a “toxic culture of racism, sexism, misogyny and bullying” after accusing co-star Dan Walker of the latter. It was reported on Sunday (12 April) that Walker – who joined 5 News in 2022 after leaving BBC Breakfast – would be appearing at an employment tribunal this month over bullying allegations made by Vanderpuije. The presenters co-hosted 5 News together until 2024, when Vanderpuije left the channel after five years. Channel 5 brought in investigators in 2024 after Walker was the subject of a “multi-pronged” complaint from a colleague, however they found that there had been “a lack of evidence to support allegations”. Issuing a statement on Vanderpuije’s behalf, her lawyer Jonathan Coad said she’s alleging that ITN, which produces the show, and Channel 5 “tried to over up …

Dan Walker accused of bullying by former Channel 5 co-anchor

Dan Walker accused of bullying by former Channel 5 co-anchor

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Dan Walker is due to appear at an employment tribunal over accusations of sexism, misogyny and bullying by his former Channel 5 co-anchor, reports claim. The broadcaster, 49, will face his former Channel 5 News co-anchor Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije, 47, at a hearing in London that is expected to last four days, beginning from 20 April. A spokesperson for ITN, the production company behind news for ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, told The Independent that Walker denies the claims. “This claim, which is denied in full, will be addressed through the tribunal process,” said the spokesperson. The Independent has contacted representatives of Walker and Vanderpuije for comment. A source told The Mail on Sunday that the Strictly Come Dancing star and ex-BBC Breakfast host “absolutely denies any sexism, misogyny, racism or bullying. It has been hanging over him for some years …

Shocking allegations of racism, bullying and babies misclassified as stillborn uncovered in maternity care report | UK News

Shocking allegations of racism, bullying and babies misclassified as stillborn uncovered in maternity care report | UK News

An interim report into maternity and neonatal services across England has uncovered shocking allegations of racism, bullying, crumbling infrastructure, and births in undignified circumstances. Some families said that baby deaths were being misclassified to prevent further investigation. Baroness Amos, who is leading a national investigation into maternity care, said: “Maternity and neonatal services in England are failing too many women, babies, families, and staff.” Investigators spoke to hundreds of harmed families and staff across 12 NHS trusts in England, many of whom shared shocking accounts of their experiences. MATERNITY HORROR STORIES A hospital staff member who trained students was heard to say: “The bloody Asian ones just go on and on and on.” Weather reports were included in clinical handovers Staff reported instances of “verbal aggression […] and sometimes bullying and racist behaviour” among colleagues. The doors to a delivery room were left open while an instrumental vaginal birth took place because there wasn’t enough space, with only a screen outside the room to protect the family’s dignity. Public perception is so bad that at …

Apple Martin sets the record straight on viral bullying claims

Apple Martin sets the record straight on viral bullying claims

Apple Martin set the record straight on the pervasive rumors about her high school experience that began swirling in late 2024 after she made her debut at Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris. After a clip of her jumping into a fellow debutante’s photoshoot went viral, the blonde beauty was accused of being a bully, with many claiming that her bad behavior began when she was a teenager and got her expelled from school. “Just a quick little message from myself,” Apple shared in an Instagram story on Monday, as she hit back at the bullying claims. “Hi! I didn’t wanna respond, but this narrative is completely false and has gotten so out of hand,” she wrote. “I have never been expelled from any school, especially not for bullying anyone.” © InstagramShe shared the comment on social media “I completely understand [people] not liking me, and that is okay! The internet is a place where [people can share their opinions,” she continued. “But this rumor is completely untrue, I am not that type of person, …

What to Do if Your Child Engages in Online Gaming Bullying

What to Do if Your Child Engages in Online Gaming Bullying

Video games are a major part of many children’s lives, offering opportunities to build problem-solving skills, foster creativity, strengthen hand-eye coordination and connect socially with peers. In many cases, gaming can promote teamwork, critical thinking and even emotional resilience. When played responsibly, it can serve as a healthy and enriching activity. However, like any social environment, whether in-person or online, gaming platforms can also expose children to difficult situations, including conflicts, exclusion and occasionally bullying behavior. Importantly, research has shown that while concerns about gaming as a cause of aggression are often discussed, the relationship is complex. Studies such as those by Ferguson et al. suggest that video gaming does not inherently cause aggressive behavior, and many young people engage in gaming without negative consequences. Still, parents may occasionally confront a challenging situation: discovering that their own child has engaged in bullying behavior while gaming. Unlike physical bullying, online bullying can be harder to detect, often occurring when adults are not present. Understanding how to approach and address this situation is key to helping children …

Nigella Lawson says Great British Bake Off shuns TV “bullying”

Nigella Lawson says Great British Bake Off shuns TV “bullying”

Earlier this year Channel 4 confirmed that Nigella Lawson would be heading into The Great British Bake Off tent as she takes the reins from Prue Leith, who left her role as judge. The celebrity chef has been forthcoming in her excitement about taking over as judge though admits it’s “daunting to be following in the footsteps of Prue Leith and Mary Berry”, but despite this she will be facing the challenge head on. At a recent Channel 4 event, Lawson said of her new role: “I’m looking forward to being part of the gang. I’m so excited, [but] I’m daunted – I bake a lot and I’ve written a lot about baking, but I’m a ramshackle kind of a baker… I’m going to be thinking, ‘My God, why am I judging them?’” The Great British Bake Off has been on air for over 15 years and remains a staple of annual British television. Indeed, with a brand new judge in the mix as well as a new format introduced, the cosy TV show is …

Emmerdale confirms character return in workplace bullying storyline

Emmerdale confirms character return in workplace bullying storyline

Ahead of a workplace bullying storyline for Joe Warren Plant’s Jacob Sugden, it has been confirmed that Caroline Harker will be returning to Emmerdale as her character Doctor Todd. Harker’s return is said to be for an “extended run”, with the soap aiming to shine a spotlight on the “troubling reality of workplace bullying”. Doctor Todd will be seen endlessly criticising and finding fault with Jacob, who is her enthusiastic trainee. ITV has said that the storyline will “delve into Jacob’s struggle to manage his work-life balance under the immense pressure of his overbearing boss”. Meanwhile, the stakes will be raised further when Doctor Todd moves herself in the village, blurring the lines between Jacob’s professional and private life. Caroline Harker as Doctor Todd and Joe Warren Plant as Jacob Sugden in Emmerdale. ITV In a statement on her return, Harker said: “I’m delighted to be back at Emmerdale for a longer stint playing Doctor Todd. She’s a complex character and from what I’ve been told so far, quite a tricky one for Jacob to navigate. …

Emmerdale announces Jacob bullying story – with familiar face back

Emmerdale announces Jacob bullying story – with familiar face back

Doctor Todd is set to return to Emmerdale, with Caroline Harker reprising her role in a new storyline exploring workplace bullying and power dynamics. The Midsomer Murders actor first appeared as Doctor Todd in January last year, while mentoring trainee doctor Jacob Gallagher. But his professional life is about to become “a battleground” when Doctor Todd returns to the ITV soap, ruthlessly criticising the young trainee. A synopsis teases: “The storyline will delve into Jacob’s struggle to manage his work-life balance under the immense pressure of his overbearing boss. “The stakes are raised further when Doctor Todd installs herself in the village, blurring the lines between Jacob’s professional and private life.” ITV – ITV Related: Best streaming services UK 2026 — including Disney Plus, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV+ Speaking about her return, Caroline Harker commented: “I’m delighted to be back at Emmerdale for a longer stint playing Doctor Todd. She’s a complex character and from what I’ve been told so far, quite a tricky one for Jacob to navigate. “Workplace bullying is commonplace, and …

Former TikTok employee accuses company of bullying, harassment and union busting | Science, Climate & Tech News

Former TikTok employee accuses company of bullying, harassment and union busting | Science, Climate & Tech News

“There was lots of bullying, harassment, exclusion from the team, from projects. A lot of things were going on.” For the first time, former TikTok worker Lynda Ouazar is speaking out to expose what she says was an environment of bullying, harassment and union busting at one of the world’s biggest social media companies. “I was finding it really hard to sleep at night, having flashbacks, feeling tired, losing my motivation,” she tells Sky News. Along with four of her former colleagues, she is now launching legal action against TikTok. This is the second court case the video app is facing from former UK employees in recent months. Lynda started at the company as a moderator and then as a quality control worker, checking the work of external agency moderators. Image: According to its latest transparency report, TikTok removes more than 99% of harmful content before it is reported At first, she enjoyed the job and found it rewarding. But then, she was moved on to a workflow dealing with some of the most extreme …