Made an official complaint about another staff member

rocketqueen

After a series of "episodes" at work I have today made an official complaint about a colleague.

The colleague has in the past spread untrue rumours about me, attempted to cause trouble between myself and other staff and basically done all she can to make my life a misery since I was promoted above her last year.

In the past I've always stopped short of making the complaint official, due to possible repercussions from this member of staff, but this time her behaviour was completely unacceptable and witnessed by a very senior member of staff.

Trouble is now I'm having "wobbles" as to whether I'm doing the right thing and fearing the repercussions when she finds out.

Has anyone else been in this situation and can offer any advice?

ohreally

rocketqueen wrote: »

The colleague has in the past spread untrue rumours about me, attempted to cause trouble between myself and other staff and basically done all she can to make my life a misery since I was promoted above her last year.


Trouble is now I'm having "wobbles" as to whether I'm doing the right thing and fearing the repercussions when she finds out.

If she is subordinate to you, why have you permitted this to develop, you should have nipped her behaviour in the bud early doors.

What do you fear? Has your employer reassured you that a duty of care will be exercised towards you if the situation escalates?

daytona0

It depends what role you are in with relation to this member of staff.

If you are their manager then you should have nipped it in the bud yourself! You'll have a disciplinary procedure for misconduct and bad behaviour. Running to senior management suggests that you are not capable of performing in your role.

If you are a different department/non manager role then you should be fine with what you have done. If you don't have the power to follow the disciplinary procedures then seems like you have done the right thing and should be ok.

Only concern is that you seem to get involved in it all? When I'm at work hardly anyone knows anything about my personal life. I make work friends with good people who don't do that sort of stuff and completely ignore anyone who is toxic.

If a rumor went round about me then I'd either respond by:

1. Completely ignoring it! Isn't a bad reflection on me because it is only a rumor

2. Making a joke out of it! "did you hear but daytona0 slept with xx last night" - just laugh at it. Say something like "haha I wish! All I slept with last night was a pot noodle" and walk off. Job done!

I half suspect that your problem is much depeer here... I reckon you are actually a bit of a controversial character yourself and you like getting involved with hassle.

TELLIT01

As you have complained about her behaviour, anything she does will just be adding evidence to back up your complaint. If she is that stupid you really do have absolutely nothing to worry about.

rocketqueen

Thanks everyone.

I am not a manager so do not have the "power" to reprimand etc anyone , my position is senior to hers but in an entirely different department.

I did not run to my senior management, they heard her shouting at me - even though they were two floors above us at the time! The management came downstairs to see what was happening and visually witnessed it too.

The rumours in the past were not about my personal life - I would have ignored that, they were work related, untrue and potentially damaging to my career.

I guess I am worried as I think that this will just make her behaviour towards me even worse, I've never put a complaint in about anyone before - I would normally prefer to sort it between myself and the other person.

daytona0

Fair enough You should be fine then. Either the bosses will side with you or they won't. If they don't side with you then it again won't be a reflection on YOU but rather the company you are working for.

I am, however, surprised that they witnessed such a thing and didn't reprimand said colleague for it? Backbone issue on their end?

Noctu

Gather all the evidence you can, and let management deal with it. She's probably doing it to others too - and from your description of her behaviour, probably isn't the sort to be receptive to you approaching her directly to sort it out anyway.

Big_John_246

rocketqueen wrote: »

senior management, they heard her shouting at me - even though they were two floors above us at the time! The management came downstairs to see what was happening and visually witnessed it too.

I guess I am worried as I think that this will just make her behaviour towards me even worse,

If senior management came to see what was happening and they visually witnessed it too you have witnesses to back you complaint.

Your also worried as you think that this will just make her behaviour towards you even worse, it sound like it is already worse and she has only got her self to blame you have not ask her to do it, she is just a bully. I hate bullies.

Keep a record in a diary of everything that happens date it happened and time and a ruff outline what happened. Then go to your next in-line chain of command and explain to the what is happening and you want to make an official complaint, if they do nothing go to you next chain of command and keep going to some one listens.

But right everything down meetings who with time and places and most of all what she does.

Look after number one.

RuthnJasper

Big_John_246 wrote: »

If senior management came to see what was happening and they visually witnessed it too you have witnesses to back you complaint.

Your also worried as you think that this will just make her behaviour towards you even worse, it sound like it is already worse and she has only got her self to blame you have not ask her to do it, she is just a bully. I hate bullies.

Keep a record in a diary of everything that happens date it happened and time and a ruff outline what happened. Then go to your next in-line chain of command and explain to the what is happening and you want to make an official complaint, if they do nothing go to you next chain of command and keep going to some one listens.

But right everything down meetings who with time and places and most of all what she does.

Look after number one.

Agree with this advice. Sounds like she's doing enough to dig her own grave by herself though. I suspect you aren't her first victim.


Do keep records though, and keep your courage. If you fold and lose your nerve she will know that she can crush you like a dry twig at the slightest provocation. I know it's difficult - but stay strong. I'm sure you'll be glad that you did.


Best wishes to you. x