My boss cyberbullies me on social media. Can I get a protection order?

What the Law Says

The Protection from Harassment Act (PHA) gives victims of online harassment—including cyberbullying on social media—the right to seek civil remedies like protection orders, even when the harasser is an employer.

Under section 3 of the PHA, it is an offence for any person to use threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour, or to publish any such material, with the intent to cause harassment, alarm, or distress to another person — or where it is likely to do so. This includes posts, comments, messages, or shares on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp.

The law applies regardless of the relationship between the parties — so cyberbullying by a boss qualifies if it meets the legal definition. Importantly, the conduct must be targeted and repeated, or at least serious enough to cause alarm or distress in a reasonable person.

A protection order (under s. 12) can prohibit the harasser from publishing further material about you, contacting you, or engaging in specified acts. The court may also issue an expedited 'expedited protection order' within 24 hours if there is imminent risk.

Statutory Text

Any person who uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or communicates any threatening, abusive or insulting matter, whether orally, in writing or otherwise, with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress to another person, or being reckless as to whether his conduct will cause harassment, alarm or distress to another person, shall be guilty of an offence.

— Protection from Harassment Act, s. 3 — Offence of harassment

What to Do

Sources