Do I have to put up with offensive material at my workplace?

Harassment is any unwanted conduct, which is objectionable and causes offence and non-verbal harassment would include exposure to materials that are offensive to you. If such materials are particularly offensive and relate to sex, race, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability or age they can constitute a form of discrimination.

Many organisations now specify in their employee rules that the circulation of materials in the work place that could cause offence will be regarded as misconduct.

The law exists to protect you. You will need to invoke the grievance procedure, this is essential if you intend to take your claim further (to an employment tribunal) if your complaint is not resolved by the employer. You have a statutory right to be accompanied by a work colleague or trade union official.

If the offensive material is not removed you could apply to an employment tribunal and claim unlawful discrimination. Remember that you must have made a formal grievance under the grievance procedure and allowed 28 days for your employer to respond before bringing the complaint to the employment tribunal.