Reading List

A curated Reading List to support and extend learning from the Bullying and Harassment in Pharmacy Practice course.

These resources are for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, dispensers, medicines counter staff, delivery staff, managers, locums and other pharmacy team members. They provide practical workplace guidance, complaint-handling advice, links to professional standards, and the UK legal context for bullying and harassment at work.

1. Core Workplace Guidance and Legal Basics

• GOV.UK - Workplace bullying and harassment
  A government overview of what counts as bullying and harassment, how the law treats them, steps employees can take, and employers' responsibilities.
  https://www.gov.uk/workplace-bullying-and-harassment

• Acas - What bullying is
  A practical explanation with examples, including repeated and one-off behaviour, online bullying, and how harm can occur even without intent.
  https://www.acas.org.uk/bullying-at-work

• Acas - Harassment
  Guidance on harassment under discrimination law, the Equality Act definition, protected characteristics, and the relevance of effect as well as intent.
  https://www.acas.org.uk/discrimination-and-the-law/harassment

2. Handling Concerns and Complaints

• Acas - Handling a bullying and discrimination complaint
  Practical steps for managers and employers on approaching a complaint, keeping an open mind, maintaining confidentiality, and following a fair process.
  https://www.acas.org.uk/handling-a-bullying-discrimination-complaint

• Acas - If you think you are being bullied
  Guidance on informal and formal options, keeping records, and what to do if the person involved is your manager. Useful for staff unsure where to begin.
  https://www.acas.org.uk/bullying-at-work/if-you-think-youre-being-bullied

• HSE - Advice for workers on violence in the workplace
  Background for pharmacy teams in public-facing or lone-working roles where bullying, aggression or intimidation overlaps with wider safety concerns.
  https://www.hse.gov.uk/violence/worker/index.htm

3. Pharmacy Professional Standards and Online Conduct

• GPhC - Standards for pharmacy professionals
  Core professional standards for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Great Britain, covering professional behaviour, respectful communication, maintaining dignity, and raising concerns.
  https://assets.pharmacyregulation.org/files/standards_for_pharmacy_professionals_may_2017_0.pdf

• GPhC - Demonstrating professionalism online
  Brief guidance on online conduct for pharmacy teams, since bullying and harassment can occur in work chats, messages or social media connected to work.
  https://assets.pharmacyregulation.org/files/2024-11/Demonstrating-professionalism-online-January-2024.pdf

4. Northern Ireland Guidance and Standards

• Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI) - The Code, Standards and Guidance
  Main professional standards and guidance for pharmacists in Northern Ireland. The regulatory framework differs from Great Britain; PSNI's revised Code took effect on 26 January 2026. Expectations around respectful conduct and professional behaviour remain relevant to this course.
  https://psni.org.uk/the-code-standards-and-guidance/

• Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland - Workplace Bullying and Harassment
  Northern Ireland guidance on how workplace bullying and harassment may present, how organisations should respond, and why policy and culture matter.
  https://www.hseni.gov.uk/workplace-bullying-and-harassment

• Equality Commission NI - Harassment and bullying at work: promoting an inclusive workplace
  A joint Equality Commission and Labour Relations Agency guide supporting inclusive workplace practice, prevention and fair handling of concerns.
  https://equalityni.org/workplace/workplace-guidance/guidance-library/harassment-and-bullying-at-work-promoting-an-inclusive-workplace

Use these readings to deepen your knowledge of bullying and harassment, complaint handling, professional standards, digital conduct and practical steps to support safer, more respectful pharmacy workplaces.