DirectGov, the Government portal, provides guidance on bullying at work including constructive dismissal.

Mind, the leading mental health charity, provide this guide to bullying at work.

It's not possible to make a legal claim directly about bullying, but complaints can be made under laws covering discrimination and harassment. If an employee feels forced to resign due to bullying they can make a constructive dismissal claim.

Bullying includes abuse, physical or verbal violence, humiliation and undermining someone’s confidence. This can be face-to-face, in writing, over the phone or by fax, text message or email.

Employers have a 'duty of care' to their employees and this includes dealing with bullying at work. An employee who feels that they are being bullied should take action in the first place through the practice’s grievance procedure and/or by discussing the matter with the bully directly. If nothing is done to put things right, the next step may be legal action, which may mean going to an employment tribunal. Professional advice should always be sought before taking this step.

While there is a lot of practical help in the links below, if you feel deeply distressed or depressed by the situation in which you find yourself you can ring Vet Helpline on 07659 811 118 (local call rates apply, 24hr rapid response answer phone). Friendly people with intimate knowledge of the veterinary profession are there to talk to you in complete confidence.

• BVA Legal Advice Line
  
  BVA provides a free legal advice line for its members.  The advice line is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is manned by a team of legal advisors, mainly lawyers, who have a range of expertise covering all aspects of the law. 
  
  Members are able to fax documents or agreements where they require advice, but advisers will not write on a member’s behalf.  All calls are treated as confidential and are recorded for future reference.
  
  The resource is for BVA members only – the phone number is available from the members section of the BVA website. A valid membership number is required in order to access the BVA legal advice line.
  
  
• BVNA Legal Helpline
  
  
  • All BVNA members have access to a free legal helpline, manned by legal professionals who will answer questions in relation to any subject, not just employment. If you are a BVNA member and you need to ring the legal help line, telephone the BVNA office on 01279 408644 or email bvna@bvna.org.uk, and they will put you in touch with the right person. You will need to have your BVNA membership number ready when using the legal helpline. 
    
    
  • The BVNA’s Industrial Relations Service has in the past provided assistance and advice when BVNA members have been bullied by colleagues or even their employer to ensure that this is dealt with to the best of everybody's interest in the workplace.
    
    
• DirectGov
  
  DirectGov, the Government portal, have comprehensive advice on bullying.
  
   
• Citizens’ Advice Bureau:
  
  The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their employment, legal, money and other problems by providing free information and advice from over 3,000 locations, and by influencing policymakers. The majority of their advisers are trained volunteers, helping people to resolve nearly 5.5 million problems every year. 
  Website: http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
  
  
• Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS):
  
  ACAS offers free, confidential and impartial advice on all employment rights issues. You can call the ACAS helpline on 08457 474747 from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday.
  Website: http://www.acas.org.uk/