Colleague is far too flirty

WHEN we were working in the office myself and a male colleague used to sometimes chat and go for lunch but he was always respectful. However, since we started home working he began constantly messaging me on Slack during the day – this started off as general chat but progressed to him making flirty comments. I’ve told him I’m not interested in him in that way and asked him to stop, but he hasn’t. I’m concerned that if I talk to my boss my colleague will get sacked in this tough time, but I feel like I am being harassed. Do you have any advice? What can I do to get him to stop?

Katy, London

THIS kind of harassment is unacceptable, and is also potentially unlawful under the terms of the Equality Act 2010.

The individual in question is responsible, but so is your employer, so it is in the best

WARNED: Point out your feelings

interests of your boss to ensure that this situation is managed. If your colleague has been told that his behaviour towards you is not acceptable or appreciated, yet he still continues, then he deserves some kind of disciplinary action, I’m afraid. There is no reason why you should have to put up with it just because you are worried about him getting the sack. Initially, though, I would try one more time to make it very clear to him that any further messages that you consider to be harassment will be logged and reported to your boss if he persists – and make sure that you follow through on this.