Speak to your coworker

Sometimes, the problem could be a simple case of crossed wires and misunderstanding. Your first port of call should be to take your colleague to one side and discuss what’s happened. A lot of the time, there’s no need to involve anyone else. Keep a record of the discussion though, just in case you need to take it further at a later date.

Let your manager know about what happened

Even if the situation is sorted out, it’s worth mentioning it to your line manager. If the case is taken down a formal legal route, it’s important that a record is kept and any important stakeholders are kept updated. Book a meeting and mention that you’d like the chat to remain confidential, though this should go without saying anyway.

Seek advice from the HR department

If you can’t reach a resolution, your next step should be to talk to your HR department. They should have formal dispute resolution processes in place, and are legally obliged to take your comments seriously and progress them to the next level where appropriate. Again, always ensure that a record is kept.

Seek independent legal advice

If all else fails and you aren’t happy with how the situation is being dealt with internally, seek advice from an independent legal practitioner. They’ll be able to assess the ins and outs of your issue and advise on the next steps that can be taken. Depending on the circumstances, you may have a case against both the individual and your employer. Your employer has a duty of care that they should take very seriously, and if it’s breached, the courts can take it very seriously.

Though these are undoubtedly stressful times, it’s important that you stay calm and follow these steps. Ignoring the situation is only likely to make it worse in the longer term.

Have you ever had a problem with a coworker? How did you ensure that it was addressed?

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