Unsure whehter to refer to employment tribunal

beckysbobbles1

Hi all

I'm currently working ut my notice period (due to finish next week). A few days ago a Manager stopped me in the communal area and said some inappropriate/bullying comments.

He asked why I was still here (at the company) and i explained I was still working my notice and he said 'well no one wants you here'. He then asked where was his invite to my leaving drinks and I explained I wasn't organising any to which he said 'well no one likes you anyway'.

This is a Manager in another team who I do not know well. He has no information about my job or how well I perform.

I told my line manager what happened and he was shocked and said sorry on the other managers behalf. He then escalated it up to one of the Partners who came and spoke to me and explained how sorry she was and how inappropriate the comments were and how this person has been in trouble before about making comments that were not appropriate.

I've since asked to finish tomorrow as I don't want to be in the office when there are people making these bullying comments. The company has a terrible track record for bullying, staff turnover and harassment (hence why I'm leaving anyways).

If I leave tomorrow, they have said they will pay me for half of next week. This seems 'fair' but obviously not ideal. The only reason I want to leave tomorrow is because I don't feel comfortable in the office due to these comments.

I have zero work to do so I'm coming in and spending the day on the internet anyways so I won't leave them in a difficult position if I do finish early.

I'm debating whether to speak to an employment tribunal after I leave. It's not so much the comments made to me (although they were not appropriate) but it's the whole culture of the firm. Just looking on the Glassdoor reviews shows how bad the firm is but it's never addressed by senior management.

I'm not the only person that has leaving currently. Another poor lady is leaving as she is being bullied by other staff members and no one is there to help her either. There is one HR person and she doesn't have much experience and has zero authority in the firm so whatever she advises, it still needs to be approved by the Partners and the issues are mainly with their behaviour.

I've already received my reference for my new job so I'm not concerned about that. I'm just wondering whether I should just walk away and leave it or actually fight to try and get something changed. Why should people get away with bullying?

Comms69

beckysbobbles1 wrote: »

Hi all

I'm currently working ut my notice period (due to finish next week). A few days ago a Manager stopped me in the communal area and said some inappropriate/bullying comments.

He asked why I was still here (at the company) and i explained I was still working my notice and he said 'well no one wants you here'. He then asked where was his invite to my leaving drinks and I explained I wasn't organising any to which he said 'well no one likes you anyway'. - well it's obvious why you're leaving

This is a Manager in another team who I do not know well. He has no information about my job or how well I perform. - irrelevant

I told my line manager what happened and he was shocked and said sorry on the other managers behalf. He then escalated it up to one of the Partners who came and spoke to me and explained how sorry she was and how inappropriate the comments were and how this person has been in trouble before about making comments that were not appropriate.

I've since asked to finish tomorrow as I don't want to be in the office when there are people making these bullying comments. - sorry but - need to grow a thicker skin. The company has a terrible track record for bullying, staff turnover and harassment (hence why I'm leaving anyways).

If I leave tomorrow, they have said they will pay me for half of next week. This seems 'fair' but obviously not ideal. - well at the minute they have just your word that something happened. The only reason I want to leave tomorrow is because I don't feel comfortable in the office due to these comments. - yes but anyone can say that and then claim 'free' money

I have zero work to do so I'm coming in and spending the day on the internet anyways so I won't leave them in a difficult position if I do finish early. - irrelevant.

I'm debating whether to speak to an employment tribunal after I leave. - about what? It's not so much the comments made to me (although they were not appropriate) but it's the whole culture of the firm. Just looking on the Glassdoor reviews shows how bad the firm is but it's never addressed by senior management. - being a bad employer is not illegal. You just leave yourself open to tens of thousands in costs

I'm not the only person that has leaving currently. Another poor lady is leaving as she is being bullied by other staff members and no one is there to help her either. There is one HR person and she doesn't have much experience and has zero authority in the firm so whatever she advises, it still needs to be approved by the Partners and the issues are mainly with their behaviour. - HR protects an employer. You want protection, join a union

I've already received my reference for my new job so I'm not concerned about that. I'm just wondering whether I should just walk away and leave it or actually fight to try and get something changed. Why should people get away with bullying?

Because that's life. It's not unlawful.

beckysbobbles1

Thanks for your reply Comms69.


Usually I'd agree with you. I do have a thick skin but there's only so much you can take. What bothers me the most is there has been a staff turn over of say 60% in the 18 months I've been here.


It's always the same issues with bullying and harrassment. People never stand up to them and then nothing happens.


The Partner acknowledged what happened as the person who said it admitted to saying it. I have amble evidence of what happened via email.


I feel as though I'm being forced to leave a week early because the enviroment is so toxic and therefore I will lose out financially.

tacpot12

Better to lose a weeks pay than an ounce of sanity on this worthless organisation.

Comms69

beckysbobbles1 wrote: »

Thanks for your reply Comms69.


Usually I'd agree with you. I do have a thick skin but there's only so much you can take. - yes I agree. I'm not suggesting you stay working there full time. Just that it's only a week. What bothers me the most is there has been a staff turn over of say 60% in the 18 months I've been here. - that's up to them. Ultimately it's the employers problem.


It's always the same issues with bullying and harrassment. People never stand up to them and then nothing happens. - but here's the thing, even if you do. Nothing will change. You have no actionable options


The Partner acknowledged what happened as the person who said it admitted to saying it. I have amble evidence of what happened via email. - Yes I know. But it's not actionable. You cant take it to an ET


I feel as though I'm being forced to leave a week early because the enviroment is so toxic and therefore I will lose out financially.

Ultimately I wish you well. I'd stick it out. There's always the risk of a reference change

jonnygee2

He asked why I was still here (at the company) and i explained I was still working my notice and he said 'well no one wants you here'. He then asked where was his invite to my leaving drinks and I explained I wasn't organising any to which he said 'well no one likes you anyway'.

This is a Manager in another team who I do not know well. He has no information about my job or how well I perform.

I told my line manager what happened and he was shocked and said sorry on the other managers behalf. He then escalated it up to one of the Partners who came and spoke to me and explained how sorry she was

- One person made a few comments you didn't like (they were quite mean)
- Your manager apologised
- A partner apologised

No, this can not be taken to an employment tribunal unfortunately. Not even close.

TBagpuss

In your position I would go into work till the end of your notice period.

If you want to record a formal grievance, do that.

Both your manager and the partner have apologised, whioch is a reasonable and proportionate way for them to address the issue. You don't know what action they have taken gainst the person who did this as that is not information which would necessaily be shared with you. For all you know, they have ben formally disciplined.

The other person who left / is leaving can contact an employment lawyer if they feel that they were treated unfiarly, you can't do that for them.

nicechap

beckysbobbles1 wrote: »

Hi all

I'm currently working ut my notice period (due to finish next week). A few days ago a Manager stopped me in the communal area and said some inappropriate/bullying comments.

He asked why I was still here (at the company) and i explained I was still working my notice and he said 'well no one wants you here'. He then asked where was his invite to my leaving drinks and I explained I wasn't organising any to which he said 'well no one likes you anyway'.

This is a Manager in another team who I do not know well. He has no information about my job or how well I perform.

I told my line manager what happened and he was shocked and said sorry on the other managers behalf. He then escalated it up to one of the Partners who came and spoke to me and explained how sorry she was and how inappropriate the comments were and how this person has been in trouble before about making comments that were not appropriate.

I've since asked to finish tomorrow as I don't want to be in the office when there are people making these bullying comments. The company has a terrible track record for bullying, staff turnover and harassment (hence why I'm leaving anyways).

If I leave tomorrow, they have said they will pay me for half of next week. This seems 'fair' but obviously not ideal. The only reason I want to leave tomorrow is because I don't feel comfortable in the office due to these comments.

I have zero work to do so I'm coming in and spending the day on the internet anyways so I won't leave them in a difficult position if I do finish early.

I'm debating whether to speak to an employment tribunal after I leave. It's not so much the comments made to me (although they were not appropriate) but it's the whole culture of the firm. Just looking on the Glassdoor reviews shows how bad the firm is but it's never addressed by senior management.

I'm not the only person that has leaving currently. Another poor lady is leaving as she is being bullied by other staff members and no one is there to help her either. There is one HR person and she doesn't have much experience and has zero authority in the firm so whatever she advises, it still needs to be approved by the Partners and the issues are mainly with their behaviour.

I've already received my reference for my new job so I'm not concerned about that. I'm just wondering whether I should just walk away and leave it or actually fight to try and get something changed. Why should people get away with bullying?

beckysbobbles1 wrote: »

Thanks for your reply Comms69.


Usually I'd agree with you. I do have a thick skin but there's only so much you can take. What bothers me the most is there has been a staff turn over of say 60% in the 18 months I've been here.


It's always the same issues with bullying and harrassment. People never stand up to them and then nothing happens.


The Partner acknowledged what happened as the person who said it admitted to saying it. I have amble evidence of what happened via email.


I feel as though I'm being forced to leave a week early because the enviroment is so toxic and therefore I will lose out financially.

Just to add to previous views: this is not what employment tribunals are for. You have informally raised a grievance and the issue has been auctioned and resolved, plus you’ve come to a mutually agreed position to leave earlier.

ETs are not for revenge or settle scores, they do not care about staff turnover, that’s a business cost issue for the owners, some industries have higher than others, some firms have much higher than others.

If bullying was a critical business issue there would be numerous grievances, training sessions etc, and staff would raise this collectively through surveys, staff councils or unions. By the absence of these in your posts I’m guessing you didn’t take it up with any of them.

Manxman_in_exile

IMO you'd be daft to leave early and lose out financially because of this.


Some of my former colleagues would suggest I made a career choice of being awkward and unpopular. So what?


If you really want to do something about the culture of the office, doing it when you are leaving anyway is the wrong time to do it. But that's easier said than done.

ohreally

There is no jurisdiction here for a tribunal.

Sit out your notice period and if you have the constitution for it prosecute a grievance against this individual (but keep in mind director level has already apologised).

Takeaway_Addict

jonnygee2 wrote: »

- One person made a few comments you didn't like (they were quite mean)
- Your manager apologised
- A partner apologised

No, this can not be taken to an employment tribunal [STRIKE]un[/STRIKE]fortunately. Not even close.

Corrected it for you.