Bullying at work during probationary

Helpme88xxxx

I appreciate this is a long read but I really need your help. I was a manager myself but I’m absolutely doubting my ability right now and I feel like I’m worthless. I just need some direction. 

Recently took a new job on. 

On my first day I was told that my many interviews management was in an agreement that I would be the type not to take any nonsense from a certain older man who has bullied others in to other buildings. I didn’t question it. I like to make my own judgement. 

Roll forward to my second month, I have been called all the names under the sun from himself to other employees. I have been humiliated by him in work group chats, not only myself but he verbally and openly degrades women and younger people in emails and group chats (I have screenshots of this) I raised this with the on site manager who constantly brushed it under the carpet and aid “that’s just his ways”  I have approached him for a coffee and a chat to find out what he expects of me to make my life easier. The following day I was subject to comments such as “typical woman hasn’t got a !!!!!! clue the stupid !!!!!!” “One of these girls that prob opened her legs to get that position” “typical Ex cabin crew - You know what life they lead” “just the same as all the other youngsters here. All young and dum” He also sent in the group chat if anyone had a problem keeping a certain door shut to “SEE ME  - because you won’t ever have a problem again” 
so, I raised this with senior management from our main base. Last week that senior management was subject to intimidation and aggression from him. In her words “I don’t know how you deal with that day in day out” Another senior manager has raised a formal complaint due to the same issues. Truth be told, I feel sick coming to work and have advised the company I have never felt like this in my entire working career. 

I was told yesterday he has been at the company a long time, and I have not. 

I was told the complaints are now going to be investigated through a three strike system. I questioned the bullying and harassment evidence and seeing as senior management have witnessed it fully, would it not fall under gross misconduct. Eventually I realised I was not really getting anywhere. So instead I asked for support. I asked for a change of roles seeing as they are big on having their employees in the correct positions and wanting a happy work force. 

I feel it’s unfair that I need to be subject to come in to work to be vulnerably open to more intimidation and malicious remarks, it’s even worse now he knows I’ve raised a formal complaint. Truth be told, I’m losing sleep, not to sound dramatic but I am crying constantly and I am absolutely terrified going in to work. I was told in the meeting yesterday that I’m the only one that has been able to tolerate him and I’ve just got to be strong and carry on with it as no one else will. 

I felt I was going to burst in to tears due to anger. Instead I said I am going to remove myself from this meeting as I feel I am close to the line of becoming unprofessional, which I won’t allow to happen.  I thanked them for their time and left. 

I left the meeting and burst into tears in my car.
I’m only 7 weeks in to this new job. Aside from that - it’s a new company. I haven’t been provided with the correct tools to do my job. I haven’t moaned about this, in these times I’m lucky to have a job so I make do with what I have. But the company have accepted that they have failed me in the beginning and have said
 “they are working on it” 

My main obvious concern is the bullying. I’m in my probation and I was reminded yesterday I don’t have much rights.  

Sncjw

Are you able to take your concerns higher up. Just because he has worked there longer than you doesn't mean he has the right to act like that. If you have evidence it will help. I can't belive tjeu are condoning what he is doing. Very dangerous work place.

When will they do something? When he becomes physical with people? 

Helpme88xxxx

Sncjw said:

Are you able to take your concerns higher up. Just because he has worked there longer than you doesn't mean he has the right to act like that. If you have evidence it will help. I can't belive tjeu are condoning what he is doing. Very dangerous work place.

When will they do something? When he becomes physical with people? 

Hi there, 

Thank you for your response. 

Now I collated the evidence and historical evidence has also been brought forward from other members who have received racial abuse from him. It now has been taken higher up. 

However, it isn’t suspension impending investigation and I am still being made to work with him. It’s absolutely unbearable 

74jax

Helpme88xxxx said:

Sncjw said:

Are you able to take your concerns higher up. Just because he has worked there longer than you doesn't mean he has the right to act like that. If you have evidence it will help. I can't belive tjeu are condoning what he is doing. Very dangerous work place.

When will they do something? When he becomes physical with people? 

Hi there, 

Thank you for your response. 

Now I collated the evidence and historical evidence has also been brought forward from other members who have received racial abuse from him. It now has been taken higher up. 

However, it isn’t suspension impending investigation and I am still being made to work with him. It’s absolutely unbearable 

The situation is not unbearable, HE is unbearable.

You are standing up for yourself and everyone else he has treated this way. The company sounds like management are dishwater, but don't let them get away with doing nothing.

You have notes, witnesses, emails, etc. YOU are in the right. You can fight this. To be fair it shouldn't be you fighting it, it should be management but see comment about dishwater..... 🙄

If he retaliates against you, remove yourself, say you are removing yourself pending investigation, ask management to either sort him so he doesn't speak to you or take it to the police. YOU SHOULD NOT BE HARASSED AT WORK. let the police deal with it. 

oh_really

Is this individual subordinate to you?

TELLIT01

For whatever reason, even senior management are afraid to take action against this person.  The OP would seem to have 3 options.  1 - leave.  2 - put up with the bullying.  3 - face them down next time they do this to you in front of other people.  This type of person is the typical bully who gets their kicks from making others feel bad.  It's certainly not easy to do, and you do need to maintain your compose.  Definitely do not cry in front of them.

Sadly I think the reality is that you are going to have to find another job because you are not going to get support from management that is required to stop him.

Marcon

Helpme88xxxx said:

I appreciate this is a long read but I really need your help. I was a manager myself but I’m absolutely doubting my ability right now and I feel like I’m worthless. I just need some direction. 

Recently took a new job on. 

On my first day I was told that my many interviews management was in an agreement that I would be the type not to take any nonsense from a certain older man who has bullied others in to other buildings. I didn’t question it. I like to make my own judgement. 

Roll forward to my second month, I have been called all the names under the sun from himself to other employees. I have been humiliated by him in work group chats, not only myself but he verbally and openly degrades women and younger people in emails and group chats (I have screenshots of this) I raised this with the on site manager who constantly brushed it under the carpet and aid “that’s just his ways”  I have approached him for a coffee and a chat to find out what he expects of me to make my life easier. The following day I was subject to comments such as “typical woman hasn’t got a !!!!!! clue the stupid !!!!!!” “One of these girls that prob opened her legs to get that position” “typical Ex cabin crew - You know what life they lead” “just the same as all the other youngsters here. All young and dum” He also sent in the group chat if anyone had a problem keeping a certain door shut to “SEE ME  - because you won’t ever have a problem again” 
so, I raised this with senior management from our main base. Last week that senior management was subject to intimidation and aggression from him. In her words “I don’t know how you deal with that day in day out” Another senior manager has raised a formal complaint due to the same issues. Truth be told, I feel sick coming to work and have advised the company I have never felt like this in my entire working career. 

I was told yesterday he has been at the company a long time, and I have not. 

I was told the complaints are now going to be investigated through a three strike system. I questioned the bullying and harassment evidence and seeing as senior management have witnessed it fully, would it not fall under gross misconduct. Eventually I realised I was not really getting anywhere. So instead I asked for support. I asked for a change of roles seeing as they are big on having their employees in the correct positions and wanting a happy work force. 

I feel it’s unfair that I need to be subject to come in to work to be vulnerably open to more intimidation and malicious remarks, it’s even worse now he knows I’ve raised a formal complaint. Truth be told, I’m losing sleep, not to sound dramatic but I am crying constantly and I am absolutely terrified going in to work. I was told in the meeting yesterday that I’m the only one that has been able to tolerate him and I’ve just got to be strong and carry on with it as no one else will. 

I felt I was going to burst in to tears due to anger. Instead I said I am going to remove myself from this meeting as I feel I am close to the line of becoming unprofessional, which I won’t allow to happen.  I thanked them for their time and left. 

I left the meeting and burst into tears in my car.
I’m only 7 weeks in to this new job. Aside from that - it’s a new company. I haven’t been provided with the correct tools to do my job. I haven’t moaned about this, in these times I’m lucky to have a job so I make do with what I have. But the company have accepted that they have failed me in the beginning and have said
 “they are working on it” 

My main obvious concern is the bullying. I’m in my probation and I was reminded yesterday I don’t have much rights.  

As you say, you are only 7 weeks into this job. You are being wholly unrealistic in believing that is long enough to turn round (or turf out!) a long-serving member of staff whatever 'evidence' (and I use the term in the broadest sense) you have. I don't understand how if it is a new company he can have been there long enough (i.e. more than 2 years) to make decisive disciplinary action such a problem when he sounds a nasty bit of goods.

Don't put up with claptrap such as 'you are the only one who can tolerate him'; say you can't and make it clear you are aware that just because you are in probation (meaningless term - it's length of service that counts, not what you call it) does not mean you should be expected to tolerate what amounts to sexual harassment/discrimination. Don't make any specific threats...just float the thought and see if that gets any action.

juraj.kecso

Hi,

Very sorry to read about your issues, but as others said, you have a few options:

1. Leave if you can find work elsewhere
2. Raise a formal grievance and stand up for yourself
3. Quietly tolerate his behaviour

MalMonroe

Hi, I am really sorry that you are suffering like this. I think many of us have had similar dreadful work experiences, I know I have. Just be assured that it isn't you, it's them. (An old cliche, sorry but it's true.)

In the first instance what I would do (and have done in the past) is contact Acas. Link here -

https://www.acas.org.uk/contact

If you do decide to leave (I'm not recommending that but your position appears to be intolerable) then please don't go quietly. Do discuss with Acas but I'd definitely want to take this disgraceful shower to an Employment Tribunal. Especially as you have a lot of evidence of the bullying that's been going on. It doesn't cost anything but it will cause this company an awful lot of trouble and expense.

The fact that management are allowing someone in their employ to bully another employee will not go down well at Tribunal. 

You may have been told that you don't have many rights but you DO have the right to be treated with respect and to not be bullied or harassed in your workplace. 

You DO have the right to contact Acas and discuss your position. Please do it. This company must do more than "work on it" they have to take some positive action. Don't let this horrible situation make you ill. Let the company know that if they aren't prepared to do anything, you are. With Acas support, that is.

I do wish you all the very best, whatever happens. 

thebrexitunicorn

The company has a responsibility to protect staff from unlawful discrimination and harassment. You have given clear examples of sexual harassment.  The Equality Act covers all staff regardless of length of service.  

Acas will be able to talk through the situation and offer impartial advice. I assume you aren’t in a union, if you are that should be your first port of call.  

Nobody should be going through this in the workplace, it’s unacceptable. 

Savvy_Sue

If you're in a trade union, you could also them for support.