How to report serious abuse or exploitation at work
What serious abuse or exploitation at work could mean and how to report it for investigation.
If you think you or someone else is in immediate risk of injury, call 999 and ask for the police.
What is serious abuse at work
You’re being seriously abused or exploited at work if you believe you’re being controlled, threatened or manipulated. This could be an indicator of modern slavery.
Signs of abuse or exploitation can include:
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being threatened with violence or harm
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not being allowed to leave your workplace or accommodation
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not being allowed to speak to other people
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having your passport taken away
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not being allowed to get medical treatment
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being forced to live in accommodation provided by your employer
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being made to stay in unsafe or unsuitable accommodation
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having your wages withheld or being forced to give wages back to your employer
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being forced to work to pay off a debt that keeps increasing
Report online
Use the online form to tell us if you think you or someone else is being abused or exploited.
Other ways to report
By email
Try to include:
- what the abuse is
- where it’s happening, or happened
- any relevant pictures or documents
- your name and contact details – we’ll only use these to ask you questions about your report, if needed
By phone
0800 432 0804.
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (except public holidays). You can still call outside of these hours and leave a voice message.
Calls are free.
We can arrange for an interpreter, if needed
What we’ll do with your report
We’ll look at what you tell us to see what action we can take.
We will not share your details with anyone you tell us about in your report.
If we think that a different organisation can help you, we’ll share your report with them.
Where to get help for other problems at work
The help or advice you need will depend on the problem you’re having.
For free advice about pay, hours, holiday and dismissal , visit the Acas website.
For problems with an employment agency, working time limits or National Minimum Wage, you can use this complain about pay and work rights form or call 0300 123 1100.
For concerns about unsafe working conditions, contact the Health & Safety Executive.
For information on working while on a Student or Seasonal Worker visa, contact UK Visas and Immigration.
Updates to this page
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Updated the phone number to a dedicated number for reporting serious abuse.
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First published.