Workplace bullying - any advice?

Suzkin

. I wrote a letter to HR a few days ago, and the new HR Manager phoned me yesterday, firstly to apologise - that she had not read my letter of Jan 2008 (despite being in post then).

She said that she had to ask my Manager in the South for a copy of the letter of complaint to read (as they couldn't find the original I had sent to them). Now this means theat my Manager has been alerted to the fact that issues are unresolved, and is probably a bit stoked up.

HR then said that she wants "to get to the bottom of this". She sounded fairly sympathetic. She suggested that she comes from Midlands to the South and arrange a meeting with me and my Manager. She would then interview the bullies one by one and come to a decision, which could result in disciplinary action, or just nothing.

I KNOW it will be the latter, because when my boss has spoken to the bully before, he has come back to me and said that our stories never match - of course they wouldn't: he is LYING!

If she goes through the same process, then the result will be the same - If I then return back to work, they will be SO ANGRY with me for starting this investigation...I'm petrified.

The other problem is that HR know I do not belong to a union (I stupidly mentioned this in my letter). The unions I have phoned this morning will not represent me, for two reasons (1) I need to have paid for about 13 weeks, (2) the work issue needs to have started AFTER union membership (which mine clearly has not).

I shall try and phone ACAS later this morning (they appear constantly engaged).

I am afraid this meeting will end up as a disciplinary against ME instead of the other way round: I have no support from anyone, and yet everything I have said is absolutely true.

If you have any advice, suggestions etc. I would be so grateful, and thanks again.

Horace

Suzkin wrote: »

I am not yet a union member, and HR is suggesting that I meet with my boss, THEN she will interview the perpetrators. I know they will lie.

Speak to a union pronto - offer to pay backdated fees if you have to (some unions are flexible on this score so it pays to ask). Don't go to any meetings on your own.

Speak to ACAS again. Your boss and HR may well back down if you have some support from ACAS and a union.

If it is so unbearable, leave and go temping, at least it will keep money coming in and in the meantime you can take your employer to a tribunal for constructive dismissal.

HTH

Suzkin

I spoke to a union this morning. They say I cannot get representation as I haven't paid up (not being a member), and that it would be 13 weeks until I MAY be entitled to it. Also, that as the issues started BEFORE union membership, they cannot take me on.

I do not feel I can go to any meeting on my own. However, if I did have some support (eg. UNION), then I def. would.

Right now (11.29am) I feel like writing a cruel letter to them all, explaining how they've made my life hell - but I've no energy.

I cannot go down constructive dismissal as I tried leaving last May - but then stupidly went back in Aug. The law says that even though I retracted my signing on ( and got no benefits), I still 'left' - even though I received no P45, and so therefore have not been there for 1 year (legal requirement) to claim constructive dissmissal.

lady_stardust

I was being bullied at work two years ago but my employer did not take it seriously and I was effectively forced out of the job in the end.

At the time I was stressed beyond belief and worried about money. Luckily a temp agency found me a job in a mailroom within a week. Money was much tighter, but I much preferred working in a humble mailroom to a stressful office and I was a million times happier.

I am still with the mailroom company but am now writing this as their Press Officer. Funny how things turn out. My only regret is putting up with the misery for so long.

Good luck, I really know how horrible this is but you sound like a very strong person xx

floss2

Suzkin wrote: »

.......HR then said that she wants "to get to the bottom of this". She sounded fairly sympathetic. She suggested that she comes from Midlands to the South and arrange a meeting with me and my Manager. She would then interview the bullies one by one and come to a decision, which could result in disciplinary action, or just nothing.

I KNOW it will be the latter, because when my boss has spoken to the bully before, he has come back to me and said that our stories never match - of course they wouldn't: he is LYING!.........

If she goes through the same process, then the result will be the same - If I then return back to work, they will be SO ANGRY with me for starting this investigation...I'm petrified.

I would think that if she is planning to make a trip to "get to the bottom of it" then she is taking it very seriously. it may be that you have been badly advised by HR earlier, or that something should have been done by her department that was not done.

Don't assume that she will come to the same conclusion - she should have some experience in teasing out information from these interviews, SHE will be speaking to everyone concerned and not your boss.

How do you know the boss actually spoke about the incidents to the other staff? It may be the boss who is lying, and they are not actually doing anything about the problems.

I don't think whether you are in the union matters - you can take ANYONE in with you to accompany you - even your mum, partner, best friend. What you want is someone who can make notes of everything, and will support you by being there. I think there is guidance on the role of an accompanying person somewhere, will try & dig it out for you - things like whether they can ask questions or comment during the meeting.

Keep trying ACAS, and although it isn't the easiest site to read, spend some time reading the pages on their site.

Let us know when the meeting will be held.

:grouphug:

Floss x

floss2

Suzkin wrote: »

.....I cannot go down constructive dismissal as I tried leaving last May - but then stupidly went back in Aug. The law says that even though I retracted my signing on ( and got no benefits), I still 'left' - even though I received no P45, and so therefore have not been there for 1 year (legal requirement) to claim constructive dissmissal.

How much notice do you have to give? Because the notice period counts as part of that year....so if it is 1 month, then you can hand your notice in 1 month before your 12 months minimum, and then go for constructive dismissal - BUT ONLY CONSIDER THIS IF ADVISED TO BY ACAS, CAB OR SOLICITOR.

And as it is nearly June now, by the time the HR woman comes & makes her decision it may be not that much longer to wait

And you can always hand your notice in whilst off sick - I did that

Darth_Trader

Lady Stardust - I know what you mean. I really wish I had just left my company years ago, the stress was unbearable and took my blood pressure to 185/110 until I started doing more to relax!

Suzkin - my advice is to explore taking your case to law. If a union won't represent you, then definitely keep trying ACAS, and Citizens' Advice. Do a search for 'no win no fee' employment lawyers so they can consider the chance of you winning at tribunal. There are loads of them on the internet, so best to see what CAB say - they might know who are the reputable ones. I've just done a quick search, and found this link, which might be useful.

floss2

That's one of the most unconstructive post I've seen.

Reported.

OP please ignore the troll.

Horace

marc why don't you go and troll somewhere else - your comments are unwarranted, unnecessary and to be honest downright rude. Go on shoo - unless you have something constructive and supportive to the people that come on here looking for advice.

In your case an apology would be good - how about saying Sorry?

Message to OP and others - just ignore the troll.

Bunnie1982

Suzkin I'm really sorry to read about the bullying you have had to put up with. I am glad that HR are now involved in this matter, hopefully it will put the frighteners on some people in your company to come clean about what has been happening.

I can relate to how you feel, I was signed off from a job just before Christmas due to bullying from my boss however I didn't have the courage to submit a complaint and follow it up. I did get a reference from there but it was very basic and said what dates I worked there and what job I did.

I have moved on from then and in a job I now enjoy.

I really hope that things work out for you.