Bullying

[missgruntled]

Hi All

Ive posted a couple of times about my employer but not about the bullying Ive had to put up with for a very long time as it is longwinded and subjective. I wont go into great detail today about all past incidents either but I need perspective and advice about the last 2 days.

I think that on monday, my first day of seeing them (there are 2) in the new year was the last straw. New year, same behaviour. While I was taking to a co worker he was listening in standing behind me and silently mocking me and taking the p over my shoulder. The young co worker was distracted and awkwardly smiled/smirked in response. I turned quickly once I saw him alter and move off. I asked her please not to encouarge him. It is known amongst colleagues he has serious (personal problem with me but I can assure you not one will stand up to him. We do have cameras overhead.

The other a female co worker is an instigator she has 3/4 that she can influence. Around a month ago she incited another to gang up on me with her. I stood up for myself and fought back. Since then she has made me invisible. I do not exist at all. Shes taken the silent treatment she has used many times before to another level (she has openly said before ' right she being being stupid again everyone send her to coventry for a while') We all work side by side and she bypasses me totally and when its her teamaking/ errand running time for the group. I come in to not even a look. She wont open the entrance door for me, anyone else handy will have to do so.I Monday I sat feeling uncomfortable and she creates a bad atmosphere. I think it makes the others, that are now thinking its very childish, feel awkward. Others have commented on how ridiculous vengeful and immature she is.

These are just the 2 small incidents on that 1st day back and extraordinarly after all Ive put up with all this time (theres way more and worse) these just set me off. I cant believe that I still have to endure it. I came in yesterday after being awake half the night exhausted and tearful. I could not do my job. I didnt cry but they were welled up and my voice was broken. I sounded off to the acting supervisor, which was a waste of time as though hes pleasant hes very yes sir no sir. The days team arrived and bullywoman wasnt in. Everyone was nice and the day was good but I sat still wanting to cry unitl lunch even though it was a good day and not a drop of bad behaviour. Even the manager said nothing all day. I do think that the acting supervisor had called and warned him i was furious when I came in and I was. It was like id gone mad. Im kind of worried I will go into meltdown in there one day.

Ive spoken 3/4 times in the last year to another manager that works 1 day a week there about ongoing problems. He told me he cant approach her (?) but he is well aware of the managers behaviour. Thats it.

The company tends to employ people known to them or existing long serving staff. Im neither. I was warned recently by another member of staff not to bother taking them to task. They told me that before I came another person failed at tribunal as the rest of the staff were monetary bribed into creating negative statements about claimant. No Im not leaving. They are not winning. But what do I do, how far can I go? I dont want to go in but I wont go sick as thats what they want. What I want is to earn my keep in this nwm job and carry out my job description in peace and civility. Im a good employee. 4 years and not one telling off or warning. When I am not suppressed by their attitude Im fun, friendly thoughtful with my co workers. Work is not the place to carry out your personal issues, we are all there for the same reason. For a day at a time. We should just be decent to each other.

Any suggestions or comments welcome thanks.

p.s I have joined a union

[Kati]

Re: Bullying

[MENTION=19071]teaboy2[/MENTION] [MENTION=70489]judgemental24[/MENTION] [MENTION=26290]mariefab[/MENTION]??

[missgruntled]

Re: Bullying

@teaboy2 @judgemental24 @mariefab??

Im sorry I dont know what the above means......

[Kati]

Re: Bullying

Im sorry I dont know what the above means......

:sorry: ... I have tagged the three Beagles to see if they can advise (they're all great on employment issues ). Hopefully one or all of them will pop on to your thread soon xx

[missgruntled]

Re: Bullying

Okeydokes, thanks Kati :tinysmile_grin_t:

[Kati]

Re: Bullying

no problem :yo:

[Openlaw15]

Re: Bullying

Hi All

"Ive posted a couple of times about my employer but not about the bullying Ive had to put up with for a very long time as it is longwinded and subjective. I wont go into great detail today about all past incidents either but I need perspective and advice about the last 2 days."

An employer has a duty (legal responsibility) to ensure the mental-health and safety well-being of their employees. They have duty to ensure that there is no bullying going on or any pranks which causes injuries, if injuries happen they're compensatory against the employer.

"I think that on monday, my first day of seeing them (there are 2) in the new year was the last straw. New year, same behaviour. While I was taking to a co worker he was listening in standing behind me and silently mocking me and taking the p over my shoulder. The young co worker was distracted and awkwardly smiled/smirked in response. I turned quickly once I saw him alter and move off. I asked her please not to encouarge him. It is known amongst colleagues he has serious (personal problem with me but I can assure you not one will stand up to him. We do have cameras overhead."

Employer has duty to bring employees into line with reasonably behaved employees which includes taking preventative actions such as warnings, and where necessary dismissal. Great for you for stopping others from listening to him; as this is the 'power of suggestion/' influence, and therein damage...as the observers if they let him continue that is positive reinforcement. It's like giving a child a sweet when he's naughty - he'll just keep being naughty.

"The other a female co worker is an instigator she has 3/4 that she can influence. Around a month ago she incited another to gang up on me with her. I stood up for myself and fought back. Since then she has made me invisible. I do not exist at all. Shes taken the silent treatment she has used many times before to another level (she has openly said before ' right she being being stupid again everyone send her to coventry for a while') We all work side by side and she bypasses me totally and when its her teamaking/ errand running time for the group. I come in to not even a look. She wont open the entrance door for me, anyone else handy will have to do so.I Monday I sat feeling uncomfortable and she creates a bad atmosphere. I think it makes the others, that are now thinking its very childish, feel awkward. Others have commented on how ridiculous vengeful and immature she is.

These are just the 2 small incidents on that 1st day back and extraordinarly after all Ive put up with all this time (theres way more and worse) these just set me off. I cant believe that I still have to endure it. I came in yesterday after being awake half the night exhausted and tearful. I could not do my job. I didnt cry but they were welled up and my voice was broken.

"I sounded off to the acting supervisor, which was a waste of time as though hes pleasant hes very yes sir no sir."

A supervisor has the duty to employees of an equivalent in his position. If something were to happen and someone gets hurt over a prank he or the employer is compensatory liable. A supervisor cannot just be all blasé and try to stay 'neutral'...they have a duty as a supervisor - supervisor for the wellbeing, of the employees as aforesaid. It is dangerous for a person's (|employee's) state of mind if the problems result in the employee being sleep deprived owing to these problems.

"The days team arrived and bullywoman wasnt in. Everyone was nice and the day was good but I sat still wanting to cry until lunch even though it was a good day and not a drop of bad behaviour. "

So, it is shift run employment, ie days and night shifts?

Do suffer from anxiety or depression at this point? If this bullying keeps happening it will force you to react one of two ways, blow u like an inferno and get sacked, or keep it locked away inside you and damage, anxiety, stomach/ bowel problems. Anxiety is a relationship of normal day with no problems versus the day with fears of worry that overtime develop into a mental-health problem, as it is like a continuous trauma in that negativity affects the brain that causes changes to your normal behaviour, heart beating faster, pulse racing, sweet palms etc. Anxiety is where you're trying to be normal but the problems you confront make it too difficult - hence it's like a mental tug of war until you snap, ie depression wherein you lose interest....or explode.

Even the manager said nothing all day. I do think that the acting supervisor had called and warned him i was furious when I came in and I was. It was like id gone mad. Im kind of worried I will go into meltdown in there one day.

"Ive spoken 3/4 times in the last year to another manager that works 1 day a week there about ongoing problems. He told me he cant approach her (?) but he is well aware of the managers behaviour. Thats it."

If the manager can't approach the troublesome individual then there is a problem right there. The dynamics of this employment need revising and rapidly at that.

The company tends to employ people known to them or existing long serving staff. Im neither. I was warned recently by another member of staff not to bother taking them to task. They told me that before I came another person failed at tribunal as the rest of the staff were monetary bribed into creating negative statements about claimant. No Im not leaving. They are not winning. But what do I do, how far can I go? I dont want to go in but I wont go sick as thats what they want. What I want is to earn my keep in this nwm job and carry out my job description in peace and civility. Im a good employee. 4 years and not one telling off or warning. When I am not suppressed by their attitude Im fun, friendly thoughtful with my co workers. Work is not the place to carry out your personal issues, we are all there for the same reason. For a day at a time. We should just be decent to each other.

Any suggestions or comments welcome thanks.

p.s I have joined a union

These are my comments relating to law initially and some comments relating to the psychology of the environment.

[mariefab]

Re: Bullying

It must be very hard to work in such a toxic environment.

As Openlaw says the Company is vicariously liable for the behaviour of its employees (especially supervisors/managers etc.).
I suggest that from now on you have a little notebook and pen in your pocket. Then every time something inappropriate occurs take them out and write down: date, time, what said/done, who was immediately present, your response (if any).
Once you've accumulated enough to show a pattern of behaviour you could submit a grievance using your contemporaneous record as evidence of the wrongdoing.

[Openlaw15]

Re: Bullying

Hi All

Ive posted a couple of times about my employer but not about the bullying Ive had to put up with for a very long time as it is longwinded and subjective. I wont go into great detail today about all past incidents either but I need perspective and advice about the last 2 days.

I think that on monday, my first day of seeing them (there are 2) in the new year was the last straw. New year, same behaviour. While I was taking to a co worker he was listening in standing behind me and silently mocking me and taking the p over my shoulder. The young co worker was distracted and awkwardly smiled/smirked in response. I turned quickly once I saw him alter and move off. I asked her please not to encouarge him. It is known amongst colleagues he has serious (personal problem with me but I can assure you not one will stand up to him. We do have cameras overhead.

The other a female co worker is an instigator she has 3/4 that she can influence. Around a month ago she incited another to gang up on me with her. I stood up for myself and fought back. Since then she has made me invisible. I do not exist at all. Shes taken the silent treatment she has used many times before to another level (she has openly said before ' right she being being stupid again everyone send her to coventry for a while') We all work side by side and she bypasses me totally and when its her teamaking/ errand running time for the group. I come in to not even a look. She wont open the entrance door for me, anyone else handy will have to do so.I Monday I sat feeling uncomfortable and she creates a bad atmosphere. I think it makes the others, that are now thinking its very childish, feel awkward. Others have commented on how ridiculous vengeful and immature she is.

These are just the 2 small incidents on that 1st day back and extraordinarly after all Ive put up with all this time (theres way more and worse) these just set me off. I cant believe that I still have to endure it. I came in yesterday after being awake half the night exhausted and tearful. I could not do my job. I didnt cry but they were welled up and my voice was broken. I sounded off to the acting supervisor, which was a waste of time as though hes pleasant hes very yes sir no sir. The days team arrived and bullywoman wasnt in. Everyone was nice and the day was good but I sat still wanting to cry unitl lunch even though it was a good day and not a drop of bad behaviour. Even the manager said nothing all day. I do think that the acting supervisor had called and warned him i was furious when I came in and I was. It was like id gone mad. Im kind of worried I will go into meltdown in there one day.

Ive spoken 3/4 times in the last year to another manager that works 1 day a week there about ongoing problems. He told me he cant approach her (?) but he is well aware of the managers behaviour. Thats it.

The company tends to employ people known to them or existing long serving staff. Im neither. I was warned recently by another member of staff not to bother taking them to task. They told me that before I came another person failed at tribunal as the rest of the staff were monetary bribed into creating negative statements about claimant. No Im not leaving. They are not winning. But what do I do, how far can I go? I dont want to go in but I wont go sick as thats what they want. What I want is to earn my keep in this nwm job and carry out my job description in peace and civility. Im a good employee. 4 years and not one telling off or warning. When I am not suppressed by their attitude Im fun, friendly thoughtful with my co workers. Work is not the place to carry out your personal issues, we are all there for the same reason. For a day at a time. We should just be decent to each other.

Any suggestions or comments welcome thanks.

p.s I have joined a union

I note you're only the national minimum wage. You will have acquired what are known as transferrable skills over the 4 years you've been there. Transferrable means you will have acquired the skills to transfer to similar jobs where you will not have to work, as the Mariafab (below) says, as 'toxic' employment. If you were to leave you technically have a claim for unfair dismissal (it means you had no choice to leave, which is called constructive) since you have been there for 4 years. The company seem very shrewd and will not sack you as they know it will mean problems. They are also well aware of the tribunal. Were there any witnesses when they said 'bribed' and made a claimant look bad. Your Union has duty (legal responsibility) to represent your legal needs so if you tell tem of these problems in this employment you will not have to pay any tribunal fees, despite the changes (the Union will sort this out). You may also have a claim for psychological injuries if you have medically recognised mental-health condition. If the employer/ his staff worsen any existing medical conditions they are also compensatory liable for this too. So, my advice is contact the Union. Talk to the Union before you consider leaving. I don't know your age or if you'd feel confident speaking to the Union/ its legal professionals on the phone, you could ask a family member, your dad maybe to on your behalf. What I know about psychology is that this company is toxic (dangerous) and is not likely to change its practice - do not waste your life in very low pay jobs where you get treated terribly, if you have other choices. No matter what you go through, please do not worry as you will cause damage to your self.

[missgruntled]

Re: Bullying

These are my comments relating to law initially and some comments relating to the psychology of the environment.

Hello Openlaw15

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Yes its shift work, office based, 24/7. Yes Im suffering mentally. Im tough to some extent as I have come to think very poorly of the ones that cause me distress. I dont have any regard for such horrid people How can I respect my day manager? However I still endure it for 10 hours per day and I dread the moments where I have to defend or back down. I dread feeling upset again. It affects how I do my job. My mind wanders and Im damn angry. I feel trapped and set up. Im concerned about my perception as becoming increasingly on guard and worry constantly. I worry on the way home, sometimes cry. I think constantly about what I must be doing so wrong to make them behave like this. Oh it goes on.

I agree totally about how lacking the supervisors/managers are. I mean its crazy isnt it? If an employee complains of a problem they have an obligation to look into it and see whats going on, not just dismiss it. Ive never been a manager but I certainly know what they should do. I know about duty of care also. Like you said the dynamics are all wrong.

[missgruntled]

Re: Bullying

Thanks mariefab. I do keep memos in my phone. Its been very difficult to stop what Im doing and type info, sometimes I forget or dont get the chance. From now on I will make it obvious Im stopping and doing it. I have read some entries back and I cringe and feel angry. It also causes me anxiety to even post details. I simply dont want to relive the event or day. It really is getting me down.

[missgruntled]

Re: Bullying

I note you're only the national minimum wage. You will have acquired what are known as transferrable skills over the 4 years you've been there. Transferrable means you will have acquired the skills to transfer to similar jobs where you will not have to work, as the Mariafab (below) says, as 'toxic' employment. If you were to leave you technically have a claim for unfair dismissal (it means you had no choice to leave, which is called constructive) since you have been there for 4 years. The company seem very shrewd and will not sack you as they know it will mean problems. They are also well aware of the tribunal. Were there any witnesses when they said 'bribed' and made a claimant look bad. Your Union has duty (legal responsibility) to represent your legal needs so if you tell tem of these problems in this employment you will not have to pay any tribunal fees, despite the changes (the Union will sort this out). You may also have a claim for psychological injuries if you have medically recognised mental-health condition. If the employer/ his staff worsen any existing medical conditions they are also compensatory liable for this too. So, my advice is contact the Union. Talk to the Union before you consider leaving. I don't know your age or if you'd feel confident speaking to the Union/ its legal professionals on the phone, you could ask a family member, your dad maybe to on your behalf. What I know about psychology is that this company is toxic (dangerous) and is not likely to change its practice - do not waste your life in very low pay jobs where you get treated terribly, if you have other choices. No matter what you go through, please do not worry as you will cause damage to your self.

Daunting task and one Id be reluctant to undertake. Imagine working for a company that paid the co workers off? Yes they know I have rights and they know they can be in trouble unlesss they can make me look like Im the problem? Umm just their style.

[teaboy2]

Re: Bullying

You said there is CCTV in the work place. So my suggestion along side mariefabs about taking notes of incidents and dates and times of said incidents, is also to note if the incident was in view of the CCTV camera. Then once you have a few weeks (4 weeks) worth of incidents, send a Subject access Request to the employer requesting copies of the CCTV footage for all the date and times in your list, where said footage includes images of yourself, along with any verbal recordings the CCTV picked up. They might not keep CCTV for more than a week, but you will still get the last 7 days worth of cctv. If you do not and they say it doesn't exists, then any tribunal worth its salt would smell a rat. Also put in a formal Grievance letter at same time as your Subject access request!

Also speak to the employee that told you about them bribing other staff to give negative statements against previous employee who took the company to tribunal and try record it covertly on your phone! You could also covertly record any conversations between you and the perpetrators too. And yes convert recordings are admissible in tribunal cases too. Plus the covert recordings would fill in the blanks from any missing CCTV footage! And would also contradict any statements given where other employees have been bribed to lie about you!

Reason i suggest doing the above, is basically to catch the bastards out before they even have chance to cover anything up!

[Openlaw15]

Re: Bullying

You said there is CCTV in the work place. So my suggestion along side mariefabs about taking notes of incidents and dates and times of said incidents, is also to note if the incident was in view of the CCTV camera. Then once you have a few weeks (4 weeks) worth of incidents, send a Subject access Request to the employer requesting copies of the CCTV footage for all the date and times in your list, where said footage includes images of yourself, along with any verbal recordings the CCTV picked up. They might not keep CCTV for more than a week, but you will still get the last 7 days worth of cctv. If you do not and they say it doesn't exists, then any tribunal worth its salt would smell a rat. Also put in a formal Grievance letter at same time as your Subject access request!

Also speak to the employee that told you about them bribing other staff to give negative statements against previous employee who took the company to tribunal and try record it covertly on your phone! You could also covertly record any conversations between you and the perpetrators too. And yes convert recordings are admissible in tribunal cases too. Plus the covert recordings would fill in the blanks from any missing CCTV footage! And would also contradict any statements given where other employees have been bribed to lie about you!

Reason i suggest doing the above, is basically to catch the bastards out before they even have chance to cover anything up!

The company will just quote its human rights' act...freedom of privacy where SRA relates to 'CCTV.' This is likely to be an exception under Data Protection Act 1998 anyway. This is a shrewd company....these people are nasty.

[missgruntled]

Re: Bullying

Thanks for replies. Its hard work monitoring them but I will/am doing so. The op was very lttle ive endured much worse. The 2 perpetrators and the few clings on they have seem to be masters of clever bullying tactics. Except for the few times the manager has opened his nasty mouth and Ive missed my chance which I kick myself for now. The last time I had 2 reliable witnesses that arent very keen on him and he shot his mouth off at me. They were disgusted and I found out that 1 went to another manager about it but Ive always been reluctant to tackle him officially as hes been with the company 20+ yrs and a few years ago he was suspended for his part in defrauding the company....then magically was made a manager. Dear me what do we have here? Something is very wrong. So I figured the company will always back him. I will try to get the colleague to speak openly and do as suggested. I will keep posted.