A recent High Court decision has raised the bar for making a successful claim under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 (PHA). In Dowson and others v Northumbria Police (2009 EWHC 907 QB), the court ruled that, while employers are vicariously liable under this legislation for harassment caused by two or more employees, the employees’ actions must amount to a concerted course of conduct intended to cause the complainant distress. However, employers cannot afford to be complacent. Given the possibility of substantial compensation awards for harassment, they need to understand the law and have procedures to protect themselves from the risk of claims.