Psychological harassment

Verified 31 October 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of Justice

Do you suffer repeated humiliation from a member of your entourage (e.g. spouse, employer) and this harms your living or working conditions? It's about mobbing. Whatever your relationship with the perpetrator, you are protected by the law. The rules differ according to the context in which harassment occurs: outside the professional sphere or in the workplace (with a difference between the private and public sectors). We present you the information to know.

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Several acts can be considered as acts of psychological harassment.

First of all, this offense is characterized by imposing on a person, repeatedly, words or behaviors that could lead to a deterioration in his living conditions. This results in a deterioration of the physical or mental health of the victim.

Then, psychological harassment can be characterized:

  • When a person experiences such comments or behaviors from several individuals who have consulted, without each of them acting repeatedly
  • Or when a person is subjected to such comments or behaviors, coming from several individuals who have not consulted but who know that this person has already been the victim of such acts.

Example :

Repeatedly referring to the victim as “insane”, “unstable” or “shabby” can be considered psychological harassment.

In order for that offense to be characterized, it is not necessary for the perpetrator to have intended to lead to a deterioration in the living conditions of the person he is harassing.

It is enough that his behavior has the effect of harming to the victim without him realizing the harm he is doing.

If you feel that you have been the victim of psychological harassment, you must gathering evidence to establish this infringement. These may include the following:

  • Identity and contact details of the perpetrator (surname, first name, email address, telephone number, etc.)
  • Screenshots (SMS, images sent by messages, etc.)
  • Copying emails
  • Audio or video recordings
  • Witness Attestation (with their full identity)
  • Medical certificate.

All these documents must be dated.

This evidence is essential if you report the facts to law enforcement or if you file complaint.

Please note

They will be taken into account by the competent services, even if the events took place for several years.

Psychological harassment is punishable regardless of your relationship with the perpetrator (e.g. harassment by a neighbor, a relative, a colleague, your employer).

If you are a victim of these acts, you can file a complaint with a police station or a gendarmerie brigade.

Warning  

The complaint must be filed within 6 years of the last fact (a gesture, a statement, etc.).

Who shall I contact

FYI  

If you want to get damages and follow the progress of the case, you can constitute yourself civil party at the time of filing a complaint and until the day of judgment.

The complaint entails a police investigation which may lead to the trial and conviction of the alleged perpetrator.

If you are a civil party, the harasser may also be ordered to compensate you.

To help you in your steps, you can get the assistance of a lawyer.

Who shall I contact

Please note

If you don't have the financial resources to pay the lawyer, you can apply for legal aid.

Psychological harassment is a punishable offense:

  • 1 year in prison
  • And of €15,000 of a fine.

This sentence may be increased to 2 years in prison and €30,000 fine if the victim has suffered a total incapacity for work greater than 8 days. The same applies when the acts have been committed:

  • On a minor
  • On a person who is very vulnerable because of his age, a physical or mental illness, a disability, an apparent or known state of pregnancy
  • Through the use of an online public communication service or through a digital or electronic medium. We are then talking about cyberbullying
  • On the holder of an elected mandate (for example, a member of Parliament, a senator, a mayor, etc.)
  • In the presence of a minor, who attended.

FYI  

If acts of psychological harassment take place within the couple, the perpetrator of the harassment shall be punished by 3 years' imprisonment and €45,000 of a fine.

Work (employee)

Psychological harassment manifests itself in words or behaviors repeated which may lead to a deterioration in the working conditions of the person undergoing them.

In order to characterize this offense, it must be demonstrated that these behaviors resulted in:

  • An attack on the rights and dignity of the victim
  • Or the alteration of his physical or mental health
  • Or a threat to his professional development.

Example :

Insults, humiliation in public or bullying constitute harassment. The same applies if your supervisor systematically removes your work tools and/or prohibits other employees from speaking to you.

In order for that offense to be characterized, it is not necessary for the perpetrator to have intended to lead to a deterioration in the working conditions of the person he is harassing. It is sufficient that his behavior has the effect of harming the victim without him realizing the harm he is doing.

Please note

If you are a victim of psychological harassment, you can benefit from the protection of the law, whether you are an employee, trainee or apprentice.

These actions are prohibited regardless of the hierarchical relationship between you and the perpetrator. Indeed, you are protected by the law even if the acts are committed by a member of the supervisory staff, by the employer or by a subordinate of which you are the superior.

If you feel that you have been the victim of psychological harassment, you must gather elements that suggest the existence of this infringement. These may include the following:

  • Identity and contact details of the perpetrator (surname, first name, email address, telephone number, etc.)
  • Screenshots (SMS, images sent by messages, etc.)
  • Copying emails
  • Working documents (pay slips, assessment result, etc.)
  • Audio or video recordings
  • Witness Attestation (with their full identity)
  • Medical certificate.

Please note

These elements will be taken into account by the competent services, even if the events took place over several years. Thus, it is preferable that they be dated.

However, it is up to the employer to prove that he did not commit sexual or gender-based harassment.

Your employer has an obligation to take all necessary measures to prevent psychological harassment and to prevent these facts from occurring.

First of all, it must inform all employees of the texts that punish psychological harassment. This information is communicated by any means (e.g. posting at the entrance of the premises, on the website of the establishment). The text should also mention texts dealing with psychological harassment.

Next, your employer must implement training, prevention and awareness-raising measures in the area of psychological harassment. These actions are intended for all staff members (supervisors, employees, trainees, etc.).

Finally, your employer must work with staff representatives and, if there is one, the Social and Economic Committee (ESC).

The members of the ESC and the referent in the fight against psychological harassment benefit from a minimum of 5 days of training on health, safety and working conditions in the establishment. If their mandate is renewed, they benefit from 3 additional days of training. These courses are funded by the employer.

Please note

The occupational medicine can also help prevent psychological harassment in the company.

The authorities to be notified in order to resolve a harassment case differ depending on the perpetrator:

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Psychological harassment by an employee

If you are a victim or witness of psychological harassment, you can report it to your employer by writing to them.

Please note

Like victims, witnesses cannot be punished for reporting a case of psychological harassment. On the other hand, they can be in case of false denunciation.

In your report, you can ask the employer to take all necessary measures to restore normal working conditions.

This report must be made in writing.

A sample letter is available:

Template letter to report incidents that may be related to psychological or sexual harassment at work

You also have the possibility to alert the employer through a:

  • Line Manager
  • Head of Human Resources
  • Specially designated staff member
  • Occupational physician
  • Staff representative.

Please note

In companies with fewer than 11 employees, the staff representatives are the members of the interbranch regional joint commissions (IRPCs). In companies with more than 11 employees, the facts can be reported to the Social and Economic Committee (ESC).

When faced with a charge of psychological harassment, your employer must conduct an investigation to determine whether the facts actually occurred.

If this is the case, your employer will be obliged to sanction the perpetrator of the harassment. Indeed, the fact that an employee has committed such a crime offense constitutes a fault.

If your employer does not take action against the perpetrator, you can turn against him and ask him for damages.

FYI  

If you wish, you can alert labor inspection who will conduct an investigation and who may refer the matter to public prosecutor.

Psychological harassment by the employer

If you experience psychological harassment from your employer, you can report the facts to the staff representatives.

In companies with less than 11 employees, these are members of the interbranch regional joint commissions (IRPCs).

In companies with more than 11 employees, the facts can be reported to the Social and Economic Committee (ESC).

You also have the option to alert labor inspection who will conduct an investigation and who may refer the matter to public prosecutor.

As an employee who is the victim of psychological harassment, you can refer the matter to the labor court and/or the criminal courts.

Please note

Any representative trade union organization can take legal action on your behalf, provided that you have obtained your written consent.

What can the victim of harassment ask the Labor Court?

In front the labor court, you have the possibility to:

  • Solicit damages to make good the damage you have suffered. So your employer will have to pay you a sum of money, even if he is not the perpetrator of the harassment.
  • Cancel a termination, termination or resignation that you believe is related to psychological harassment (for example, a termination may be canceled if, at the date of its signature, the employer was aware of the harassment but did not take any measures to protect the harassed employee).

You can refer the case to the labor court even if you have already filed a complaint. You do not have to inform your employer of the complaint against the alleged harasser.

The time limit for bringing an action before the labor court is five years from the last acts of harassment.

Who shall I contact

How to obtain the criminal conviction of the perpetrator of psychological harassment?

Psychological harassment is punishable regardless of your relationship with the perpetrator (e.g. harassment by a neighbor, a relative, a colleague, your employer).

If you are a victim of these acts, you can file a complaint with a police station or a gendarmerie brigade.

Warning  

The complaint must be filed within 6 years of the last fact (a gesture, a statement, etc.).

Who shall I contact

FYI  

If you want to get damages and follow the progress of the case, you can constitute yourself civil party at the time of filing a complaint and until the day of judgment.

The complaint entails a police investigation which may lead to the trial and conviction of the alleged perpetrator.

If you are a civil party, the harasser may also be ordered to compensate you.

To help you in your steps, you can get the assistance of a lawyer.

Who shall I contact

Please note

If you don't have the financial resources to pay the lawyer, you can apply for legal aid.

Two types of sanctions may be imposed on the perpetrator of psychological harassment.

Penalties that may be taken by the employer

Any employee who has committed psychological harassment is liable to disciplinary sanctions taken by the employer: transfer, lay-off or even dismissal.

Criminal sanctions

Psychological harassment shall be punishable by:

  • 2 years in prison
  • And €30,000 of a fine.

In addition, the perpetrator of psychological harassment may be ordered to pay you damages, as compensation for your damage (examples: moral damage, medical expenses).

Labor (public sector)

Psychological harassment manifests itself in actions repeated which may lead to a deterioration in the working conditions of the person undergoing them.

In order to characterize this offense, it must be proven that these actions resulted in:

  • An attack on the rights and dignity of the victim
  • Or an alteration of his physical or mental health
  • Or a threat to his professional development.

Example :

Insults, humiliation in public or bullying constitute harassment. The same applies if your supervisor systematically removes your work tools and/or prohibits other employees from speaking to you.

If you are a victim of bullying in the public sector, you can benefit from the protection of the law, whether you are a civil servant, a contractor or a trainee.

These actions are prohibited regardless of the hierarchical relationship between you and the perpetrator. Indeed, you are legally protected even if the acts were committed by a member of the supervisory staff, by the employer or by a subordinate of which you are the superior.

Please note

In order for that offense to be characterized, it is not necessary for the perpetrator to have intended to lead to a deterioration in the working conditions of the person he is harassing. It is sufficient that his behavior has the effect of harming the victim without him realizing the harm he is doing.

If you feel that you have been the victim of psychological harassment, you must gather elements that suggest the existence of this infringement. These may include the following:

  • Identity and contact details of the perpetrator (surname, first name, email address, telephone number, etc.)
  • Screenshots (SMS, images sent by messages, etc.)
  • Copying emails
  • Working documents (pay slips, assessment result, etc.)
  • Audio or video recordings
  • Witness Attestation (with their full identity)
  • Medical certificate.

Please note

These elements will be taken into account by the competent services, even if the events took place over several years. Thus, it is preferable that they be dated.

However, it is up to the administration to prove that she did not commit sexual or gender-based harassment.

Your administration has an obligation to take all necessary measures to prevent psychological harassment.

First of all, it is obliged to bring to the attention of the agents the texts which punish psychological harassment. This communication can be made by any means (for example: at the entrance of the premises of the establishment).

Secondly, your administration must make all workers (supervisors, permanent agents, trainees, etc.) aware of the problem of psychological harassment. For example, your employer may raise this issue at certain service meetings.

Finally, it must offer training in occupational health and safety to all workers.

Whether you are a victim or a witness, you can report acts of psychological harassment in order to put an end to these acts.

You cannot be punished for reporting harassment, but you will be punished if it is a false report.

How to report a sexual harassment case to the employer's administration?

You can use the reporting mechanism for violence, discrimination, psychological or sexual harassment and gender-based behavior in the public service.

This reporting system includes 3 types of procedures to be put in place by the employer:

  • A procedure for the collection of reports from officers who are victims or witnesses of psychological or sexual harassment and gender-based behavior
  • A referral procedure for victims to the competent services and professionals responsible for their support
  • A procedure for referring victims or witnesses of such acts or acts to the competent authorities to take any appropriate protective measures and ensure the treatment of the reported facts, in particular by carrying out an administrative investigation.

Your administration must determine the means by which you can send this alert to the competent authority. It also sets out the information and documents that you must provide in support of your report.

Every public official must be informed by the line authority to which he or she belongs of the existence of the reporting mechanism, its mode of use and the procedures it provides for.

The system must guarantee the strict confidentiality of the information transmitted by the victim or witness during the processing of the report.

As soon as a case of harassment is reported to him and these facts are real, the administration that employs you must do everything to stop these acts. This includes a sanction for the harasser (for example, reprimand, transfer, or even dismissal).

FYI  

If you wish, you can also report to the following:

  • The staff representatives (they will be able to help you in all your steps)
  • The Social Committee. This committee has a right of alert that allows it to prevent the administration of any case of psychological harassment.

As a public official who is the victim of psychological harassment, you can bring a case before the administrative court and/or the criminal courts.

Please note

Any representative trade union organization can take legal action on your behalf, provided that you have obtained your written consent.

In what cases can harassment be brought before the Administrative Court?

Several situations may lead you to refer the case to the administrative court:

  • You alerted your administration and they didn't respond
  • You alerted your administration and they refused to act
  • Your administration has sanctioned you for reporting harassment.

You have to go to court within a certain period, which varies according to the situation:

  • If the administration has made a decision, you have 2 months after the notification of the decision concerned (refusal of sanction by a superior, sanction for denunciation, etc.)
  • If the administration has not responded within 2 months, you have 4 months from the notification harassment in the administration.

If the administrative court finds that your employer is at fault, it may be ordered to pay you damages.

How to obtain the criminal conviction of the perpetrator of the harassment?

If you are a victim of bullying at work, you can lodge a complaint before the criminal justice system against the alleged perpetrator.

The complaint must be filed within 6 years after the last fact (a gesture, a statement...).

You must provide the justice system with all the elements that would prove that you have been harassed. For example, you can provide medical certificates, an attestation from the occupational physician, testimonies from colleagues, written exchanges with the alleged perpetrator, etc.

All this evidence will be taken into account by the police or gendarmerie services, even if the events took place over several years.

Who shall I contact

You can get the assistance of a lawyer.

Who shall I contact

FYI  

If the complaint is filed without follow-up or if you have not heard from the police, gendarmerie or public prosecutor for more than 3 months after your complaint, you can file a complaint. complaint with civil party.

Two types of sanctions may be imposed on the perpetrator of psychological harassment.

Sanctions that may be taken by the administration

A public official guilty of harassment risks disciplinary sanctions : automatic relocation, removal from the progress table, or even revocation.

Criminal sanctions

Psychological harassment is an offense punishable by up to:

  • 2 years in prison
  • And €30,000 of a fine.

In addition, the perpetrator of psychological harassment may be ordered to pay you damages (pain and suffering, medical expenses...)

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • For information on cases of harassment

    House of Justice and Law

  • To alert labor inspection

    Regional Directorate for the Economy, Employment, Labor and Solidarity (DREETS)

  • To get help with a harassment case

    116 006 - Victim Assistance Number

    This service allows victims of infringements (excluding damage to property on the internet) to be listened to and referred to a victim support association or a specialized service. It is accessible to deaf and hard of hearing people.

    In metropolitan France

    116,006

    Free call

    Service available every day of the year, from 9am to 8pm.

    Outside metropolitan France (or from the foreigner)

    + 33 (0)1 80 52 33 76

    Free call

    Service available every day of the year, from 9am to 8pm (Paris time).

    By email

    By email: victimes@116006.fr