HR/Legal issue

SJ_Jones

I have authorised access to my bosses emails. It's not something I need to log-in to specifically, it appears as a folder in my Outlook, and it's alongside three other mailboxes which I monitor. I regularly use it to check for emails that he's sent to me which I accidentally delete or can't find.

A while back I found emails between him & our HR discussing application process for a job that had opened up in our department, and how to make it tricky for me to get through it (I had previously mentioned my interest to my boss), and how to make it geared towards Graduates.

Today I found an email to a member of off-site staff with reference to the size of my backside.


As I have authorised access to his emails, do I have a leg to stand on in terms of discrimination/harassment? And if I do, what's my best course of action?

Thanks for any help on offer!

SJ_Jones

(Just adding comment cos I forgot to subscribe)

Sambucus_Nigra

How long have you been there?

Is the access for a particular reason and does your boss know you have this?

Is your boss particularly stupid in any other ways?

Did you apply for that job and if so, what happened?

SJ_Jones

[QUOTE=Sambucus Nigra;42872656]How long have you been there? [/QUOTE]

Just over 2 years


[QUOTE=Is the access for a particular reason and does your boss know you have this?[/QUOTE]

I've never had anything formally laid out as to WHY I have the access, he just requested it AND approved it when I first started. I find it useful if I delete something he sent me and then later need it again, rather than asking it to be re-sent.

[QUOTE=Is your boss particularly stupid in any other ways?[/QUOTE]

Not particularly...

[QUOTE=Did you apply for that job and if so, what happened?[/QUOTE]

No - I thought about swotting up to make a presentation as good as any grad, but decided it would be a waste of my time & effort, as I could have done the best job on earth, but they still wouldn't have considered me.

Sambucus_Nigra

Interesting...

Yes I'd say you have grounds for putting a grievance in. However, this might only result in an apology and removal of your access. What is it you want out of this? Who was the external person that he commented about your a$$ to? Was it a client?

SJ_Jones

No - it was a member of staff, who works off-site.

Not really sure what I want... I'm happy with my job in general, but I want a better one, which is why I was planning on applying for that other job. I gues what I really want is to be taken seriously... I'm starting a course later this year to increase my chances of a better job.

jodyg

I can't believe how awful this man is - he is a pig. I am sorry i can't think of something foolproof for you to go and do.... are you a member of a union that you can speak with?

SJ_Jones

Unfortunately not - and with HR being involved in the job application issue, not sure how to go fwd....

dmg24

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Interesting...

Yes I'd say you have grounds for putting a grievance in. However, this might only result in an apology and removal of your access. What is it you want out of this? Who was the external person that he commented about your a$$ to? Was it a client?

I'm with you on this - given the hierarchy involved, I'm not sure that a complaint will get anything more than a (superficial) apology.

OP, it would be worth trying to think of ways to address these issues indirectly. So, with regard to being passed over for promotion, you could approach your boss and say 'I would like to apply for this role next time it becomes available. I imagine that you would look for a graduate for the role, but I am confident that I could do it. Could we work together to work out a development plan for me to prove my abilities?'.

I'm not sure what to do about the other email. If you like your job, and don't think it will grate away at you, I would say to forget it, perhaps with a subtle reminder that you have access to the emails. If you do want to be more direct, given the lack of scope for formal redress, I would ask to speak to the boss privately. Something along the lines of 'we all like banter, but this crossed the line'?

Sambucus_Nigra

I'd join a union; print off the emails and keep them very safe and think a while about how to utilise this information.

SJ_Jones

I have copies of them, which I'll put onto laptop at home... May be wise to keep quiet to see if anything else crops up...?