Is this bullying and what can be done?

[Doglover]

My 41 year old daughter works for a well known recruitment agency. She has not been there long, having previously spent eight years as a flight attendant. She has told me that every time she gets something wrong her manager throws a pen at her!

I find this sort of behaviour incomprehensible in an adult in a responsible position, but I need advice on what she should do about it.

[Eloise01]

Re: Is this bullying and what can be done?

Well no, it isn't really bullying, although it is childish and ridiculous. And unfortunately, despite all myths to the contrary, bullying isn't straightforwardly unlawful - there is no employment law that says that bullying in the workplace is unlawful, and it would take an awful lot more than throwing a pen at someone when they get something wrong to demonstrate any form of legal case.

If she wishes, she could either (a) have an informal chat with the manager and ask them to stop doing this as she does not appreciate pens being thrown at her, or (b) raise a formal grievance about it. But that is all. And bearing in mind that she requires two years employment to raise a claim for unfair dismissal, it isn't necessarily a strategy that is designed to ensure that she last that long. Right now, with a few exceptions, the employer can dismiss her for any reason, or no reason at all. So it's her decision, but she needs to be aware of the risk.

[bluebottle]

Re: Is this bullying and what can be done?

In my experience, bullying cases need to be considered on their individual circumstances and what the bully has allegedly done. I have to agree with Eloise01 that the manager's behaviour is infantile, but it also raises health and safety at work issues, especially if a pen thrown at someone caught them in the eye and caused injury. An informal chat with this manager as to the dangers of throwing pens at people might be appropriate.