Features

HR Update: Recognise when it's harassment

Harassment of staff by third-party individuals such as parents can arise unexpectedly and place employers in a difficult position.

Such situations need to be dealt with swiftly, says Jacqui Mann, managing director of HR4Nurseries (www.hr4nurseries.co.uk)

If you have a problem or issue with a parent and you want them to remove their child from your setting, you need to make sure your terms and conditions allow for this.

But what do you do if the parent, visitor or supplier starts to harass or bully a member of your staff because the relationship has broken down?

Employers are potentially liable for harassment of employees by people who are not employees of the company, such as parents or visitors. They will only be liable when harassment has occurred on at least two previous occasions, and you are aware it has taken place, and have not taken reasonable steps to prevent it from happening again. It's irrelevant whether the third party is the same or a different person on each occasion.

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