SingaporeMy employer is harassing me at work. What legal options exist?
You may apply for a Protection Order or Expedited Protection Order under the Protection from Harassment Act if your employer’s conduct amounts to harassment, stalking, threatening behaviour, or cyberbullying.
What the Law Says
The Protection from Harassment Act (PHA) makes it illegal to harass, threaten, stalk, or cyberbully another person — including in the workplace. This applies even when the harasser is your employer.
Under section 3 of the PHA, any person who 'uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or communicates such words or behaviour to another person' commits an offence — provided it causes harassment, alarm or distress. This covers repeated emails, verbal abuse, public shaming, intimidation, or online posts targeting you at work.
The law applies regardless of the harasser’s position — so an employer can be prosecuted or restrained just like anyone else. The PHA also allows victims to seek civil remedies, including court orders to stop the behaviour.
If the harassment involves stalking, fear of violence, or serious alarm/distress, stronger remedies — like Expedited Protection Orders (effective within 24 hours) — may be available.
Statutory Textuses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or communicates such words or behaviour to another person
— Protection from Harassment Act, s. 3 — Offence of harassment
What to Do
Document every incident — dates, times, witnesses, messages, or recordings (if lawful).
Report the harassment internally (e.g., HR or management), unless they are involved.
File a police report if the conduct involves threats, violence, or criminal harassment.
Apply to the Community Mediation Centres (CMC) for free mediation — or directly to the State Courts for a Protection Order under the PHA.
Seek legal advice: You may qualify for pro bono assistance via the Legal Aid Bureau or Community Mediation Centres.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.