Reading List

This Reading List supports learning from the course and focuses on practical, UK-relevant guidance for preventing and responding to bullying and harassment in optical practice.

Equality and legal duties

• Equality Act 2010 Core UK law on discrimination, harassment and victimisation relevant to workplace behaviour.
• Sexual harassment and harassment at work: technical guidance Authoritative EHRC guidance on legal duties and reasonable steps for employers (updated September 2024).
• Employer 8-step guide: Preventing sexual harassment at work Practical EHRC steps to meet the preventative duty (September 2024).
• Protection from Harassment Act 1997 UK statute covering harassment including serious or persistent conduct.
• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 Sets employer duties to protect health, safety and welfare, including psychosocial risks.
• Sexual safety in healthcare - organisational charter NHS England charter committing organisations to zero tolerance and clear actions (September 2023).

Professional standards for optical practice

• Standards of practice for optometrists and dispensing opticians GOC's core professional expectations including respect, supervision and safe environments.
• Standard 11: Protect and safeguard patients, colleagues and others from harm Specific duties to act on concerns, escalate risk and keep records.
• Speaking up: guidance for registrants GOC guidance on when and how registrants should raise concerns (July 2025).
• Standards for Optical Businesses Business standards covering reporting routes, escalation and safeguarding (June 2025).

Managing bullying, harassment and investigations (Acas)

• Bullying at work Clear definitions, examples and practical steps for employees and employers (January 2025).
• Discrimination and bullying Overview of legal protections and employer responsibilities under the Equality Act.
• Acas Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures Minimum procedural standards for fair handling of cases.
• Investigations for discipline and grievance: step by step How to plan and carry out a proportionate, fair workplace investigation (July 2025).

Psychosocial risk and HSE

• Work-related stress: risk assessment How to assess and control psychosocial hazards including bullying and poor relationships (June 2024).
• Management Standards - Relationships HSE standard to prevent unacceptable behaviours and respond to concerns.

Speaking up and reporting routes in the NHS

• Freedom to Speak Up NHS England hub with policy, reporting routes and support resources.
• The national speak up policy Minimum standard policy for NHS and primary care settings (November 2022).
• Guidance for Freedom to Speak Up Guardians National Guardian's Office guidance to support speak up systems.

Culture and civility in healthcare

• Civility and respect NHS England resources to reduce bullying and build respectful teams.

Data protection for HR and investigations

• Employment practices and data protection: keeping employment records ICO guidance on lawful bases, retention and handling of sensitive HR records (February 2025).