Bullying at Work

tenacioust123

Hi Everyone

I'm after a bit of advise for my Daughter, She has been working for the co-op p/t while at college. Over the last year she has had quite a bit of time off due to throat infections. Today she had to go to the doctors again because her throat is bad, the doctor has arranged for her to go to hospital as he believes there is something wrong with her immune system, he also gave her a sick note for a week.

She rang her work and spoke to the assistant manager and explained the situation, the assistant manager said to her "Your in trouble now"!! My daughter asked why? she got no answer and was told the manager would call her. While she was at my house the manager rang her, I have never heard anything like it he was shouting at her called her a liar and the doctor. My daughter was in tears, but he carried on shouting and swearing at her and telling her she had to come into work, in the end he hung up on her. As you can imagine she is very upset and feels that she can not go back to work there.

What should she do? Has anyone got any advise?

Thanks

cheshirekitty

So called 'ethical' employer. She needs to contact human resources at co-op head office. She has the same rights to work in a non threatening environment as anyone else.

3plus1

If what you say is true (and I have no reason to believe otherwise), this is utterly disgraceful. Your daughter needs to raise a formal complaint and go above this person's head. She's going to be off sick for a week anyway, which will give her manager's manager time to consider how to handle the situation when your daughter goes back to work.

Your daughter is probably feeling quite vulnerable right now (it's a horrible thing to happen to anyone, but if she's not well, she'll probably 'feel' it even more) so support her in contacting the right people, but be careful not to push her into it as it might feel like more 'bullying' even if meant with her interests at heart.

Some people do take the mickey re sick leave, but I think it's ridiculous to accuse anyone of lying before giving them time to produce a doctor's note - which your daughter had.

tenacioust123

Thanks for your replies, she has contacted head office and asked to speak to the area manager, she was told a message would be left for him to contact her, this was about 11 this morning and she's heard nothing yet. I've told her to call again tomorrow and leave another message.

She's feeling very down and vulnerable at the moment, I just can not believe a manager can speak to a member of staff like that.

SomeBozo

There is nothing wrong with a employer ringing a employee at home while off sick to check on progress of recovery.

However, the employer can't call someone a liar or shout.

How did you hear this if your daughter was on the phone?

I would suggest your daughter ensures that any sickness is covered by a sick note and check out the companies grievance procedure, then files a grievance at the next availbale opportunity.

Bozo

medders2604

If she doesn't hear from the area manager first thing in the morning get her to leave another message but also speak to the HR department.
Good Luck let us know what happens I think it is disgusting that her manager called her a liar would he prefer she went to work ill and infected the rest of the staff and having a sick note confirms she is not lying

chuckley

SomeBozo wrote: »

There is nothing wrong with a employer ringing a employee at home while off sick to check on progress of recovery.

However, the employer can't call someone a liar or shout.

How did you hear this if your daughter was on the phone?

I would suggest your daughter ensures that any sickness is covered by a sick note and check out the companies grievance procedure, then files a grievance at the next availbale opportunity.

Bozo

ever heard of loud speaker?!

mazza111

Trust me if your in the room with someone whilst getting shouted at down the phone you can hear it...

Had the same with someone yelling at my daughter but won't go into that


I think as above your daughter should contact the HR Dept and make a formal complaint. Has she had any verbal warnings about the amount of time that she's had off sick?

tenacioust123

SomeBozo wrote: »

There is nothing wrong with a employer ringing a employee at home while off sick to check on progress of recovery.

However, the employer can't call someone a liar or shout.

How did you hear this if your daughter was on the phone?

I would suggest your daughter ensures that any sickness is covered by a sick note and check out the companies grievance procedure, then files a grievance at the next availbale opportunity.

Bozo

He rang her mobile and I could hear him shouting, she then put it on speaker phone so I heard all the call. Not only did he call her a liar he was swearing as well the "F" word 3 times.

ceridwen

Right now - she needs to start keeping a "diary of events" - ie at such and such a date at such and such a time this person said such and I replied such. That is the general idea of how this is done. This is very much the standard advice for how to deal with bullies at work - keep a diary. It really does help.

It is not a good idea to rely on memory. Make a record of events as soon as possible after the event in question.

She should also contact her Union about this.

I would imagine the Co-op will have an anti-bullying policy - it would be a good idea for her to look this up and keep a copy.

Good luck - I've been on the receiving end - and I know how unpleasant it can be.

ceridwen

tenacioust123 wrote: »

He rang her mobile and I could hear him shouting, she then put it on speaker phone so I heard all the call. Not only did he call her a liar he was swearing as well the "F" word 3 times.

Just seen this - hmmm....dont suppose you have a tape recorder you could use for such telephone conversations?? Evidence....