Workplace bullying & harassment — what to do

What to do

1. 1

   Document each incident

   Dates, what was said or done, who witnessed it, and the impact on your work. Keep it factual.

2. 2

   Report in writing

   To your manager or HR — a written report creates a record and can trigger the employer’s duty to act.

3. 3

   Know the protected-class line

   Harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information may be unlawful — the EEOC handles those.

4. 4

   Keep your own copies

   Save your records to a personal device, not only on work systems you could lose access to.

5. 5

   Get support

   988 for a crisis, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) if your employer offers one.

In-depth guides

Free tools for this

• Document incidents

Frequently asked questions

Is workplace “bullying” illegal?

General bullying isn’t automatically illegal, but harassment based on a protected class (race, sex, religion, disability, age, and others) can be unlawful and is handled by the EEOC. Documenting incidents and reporting in writing to HR is the practical first step either way. For your situation, consider talking with an employment lawyer.