Ban bullying at work day
Filed under: Health, November 2009
Ban Bullying At Work Day takes place on the 7th November. It is one day in the year to try to raise awareness about workplace bullying. The day was originally created by the Andrea Adams Trust, a charity set up in the name of a journalist who recognised the severity of bullying in the workplace and wrote a book published in 1992 entitled 'Bullying At Work'.
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There are some warning signs to help spot workplace bullies. The first and most evident is an openly aggressive character - shouting and using obscenities. Other signs may be persisent criticism, setting unrealistic deadlines, taking away responsibility, spreading rumours, withholding information, ignoring other people's points of view, ostracising people, and making personal comments or insults.
If you have a bully in your workplace or are being bullied you should keep an account of any incidents, recording the date and time and what occurred. Also save any bullying emails or notes that are received - you may need to refer to these when you speak to a manager above the bully or go to your HR department. If the bully is the top dog then you might want to think about finding a new job. Whatever you do, don't let the bullies win. Never believe their criticisms and put-downs and remember that they are the ones with the problem and no one else.
Have you ever been bullied at work? Do you have any advice for someone who is being bullied? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.
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There are some warning signs to help spot workplace bullies. The first and most evident is an openly aggressive character - shouting and using obscenities. Other signs may be persisent criticism, setting unrealistic deadlines, taking away responsibility, spreading rumours, withholding information, ignoring other people's points of view, ostracising people, and making personal comments or insults.
If you have a bully in your workplace or are being bullied you should keep an account of any incidents, recording the date and time and what occurred. Also save any bullying emails or notes that are received - you may need to refer to these when you speak to a manager above the bully or go to your HR department. If the bully is the top dog then you might want to think about finding a new job. Whatever you do, don't let the bullies win. Never believe their criticisms and put-downs and remember that they are the ones with the problem and no one else.
Have you ever been bullied at work? Do you have any advice for someone who is being bullied? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Liz said 8:26PM on 11-06-2009
I was harassed at work by male colleagues. I was not given sufficient training in the hope of me making mistakes and being taken away from their area of work and my job was constantly being sabotaged requiring constant and unreasonable amounts of monitoring. I was also sent to coventry by my immediate work colleague as soon as I was appointed to my position.
I highlighted this to my shop steward, my immediate manager and then his manager re. procedure, I was suspended because ' there had not been any problems in that area until I was appointed there'. I was the first female to work in that particular area.
Eventually I was hounded out on trumped up charges that I was disciplined for until I was ultimately sacked 18 months later. I had been employed with this multi national company for 17 years before this without any disciplinaries and possessing an exemplory work record.
This was with the full knowledge of both my T&G/Unite Regional Diversity officer and my full time officer, the latter working in conjunction with the management to avoid upsetting ' the lads'.
So much for equality legislation and company and trade union harassment policies.
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David said 3:06AM on 11-08-2009
Whatever you do, don't let the bullies win. Never believe their criticisms and put-downs and remember that they are the ones with the problem and no one else.
billy said 4:44AM on 11-07-2009
there is nothing that can be done when the bully starts, it happens in all types of work, legislation is useless as it is not strong enough. Bullying should be a criminal offence with a fine or prison sentence for all thosse who bully. When one begins to bully , others are sucked in even senior managers , as they want a quiet life and cannot be othered. Complaining to a senior manager nearly always makes it worse . Could be stamped out by criminality of the offence, and others not being swept in
Look at the internet under bullying AND then type in any large organisation and see the bullying complaints. Change job if you can , if you are not a bully dont get swept in with the bully to try to protect yourself as your time will probably come when they turn on you
Carole said 7:11AM on 11-07-2009
Poor you, although this does not surprise me. Some years ago I worked for a westcountry branch of Unison as a secretary.
A senior post came vacant and my line manager wanted the job. She was in competition with another PA and, realising that I had a good working relationship with the Union Officers, she hinted that I should make false allegations against her competitor, so that she would automatically get the senior post. If I failed to do this she threatened to give me a bad report on my quarterly assessment -blackmail!
I complained of her bullying to the senior officer but, being spineless, he closed ranks and I was eventually harassed out of the job.
Can't trust the unions - most of the offers are only interested in the ego trip of standing up making speeches. It was a real eye opener to discover how many members were disregarded when in trouble at work - this is something I know from the number of times I was told to tell the members that the Officer was not in..
jan hughes said 10:42PM on 11-06-2009
to Liz - take the employer to court
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poppy said 8:16AM on 11-07-2009
The only ones who can afford litigation are the very rich or those on low incomes. You would then need to find a legal team prepared to take on your case.
Liz said 6:12AM on 11-07-2009
Thanks Jan but my T&G/Unite full time officer had come to a financial settlement with the company which was more than the paltry sum I would have ended up with when I had won my case at tribunal.
I believe this was because I had been keeping a record of every event regarding both the companies and the trade unions mismanagement of this situation.
I was also forced to surreptitiously tape recorded disciplinary meetings due to the companies 'lack of honesty' and the refusal of my senior shop steward to represent me.
I had a telephone call from my full time officer asking me why I was requesting representation at these meetings as 'I knew he did not want to represent me'!
So I think it's safe to assume the financial settlement was for the sake of both the company and the trade union.
I am quite calm about this today as I have moved on and am in a much better place, but it cost me, my partner and family 3 years of our lives to worry, stress and my depression which no amount of money could cover.
So Jonathan I do not want to revisit it every day for the rest of my life because I am trying to eliminate this injustice from our minds and lives forever.
Mike said 12:44AM on 11-07-2009
Unfortunately my experience of bullying suggests that this is the action of inadequate managers - appointed beyond their ability - who take protection from their "team" of followers through whom they spread their vile and often vicious nonsense - the followers fear the consequences of failing to comply with the direction they are being given.
A very sad situation develops from which there is very little escape - particularly when the next level of management condones the position - on the basis of "anything for a quiet life" - more inadequacy.
At the end of the day - if these individuals gave as much attention to operating the business as they do playing damn fool games - how much better would it all be ???
Find these individuals - root them out and get them gone from any business where their influence is operating - failing to do this will have a very serious effect on the success and prosperity of any business in which they are involved.
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Nichola said 4:50AM on 11-07-2009
I like my job although really busy all the time and stressful
Line manager and her daughter the bullies comments id call snidy everytime i walk passed then when i comment on them trying to keep it light they just go "ooo whats the matter with you" as if im in the wrong .
If i tell anyone they say you should say this and go to your pratice manager but like you said she wants a quiet life so isnt interested.
You hit the nail on the head about poor management information doesent get passed on to all staff quite important as its a nhs surgery and the bullies just say "i dont care i dont even want to be here"infuriating im looking for another job
Alan said 4:36AM on 11-07-2009
I totally agree with you the same thing happened at my previous job this so called manager could not handle pressure at all and would take it out on everyone, in the end the only thing i could do was leave as the manager above him was scared of him and would just back him up,not to mention the same problem in the other part of the company ,some people say take them to court but you need witnesses and most people are too worried about their jobs,but definitely ignore them they are always weak silly people.
Donna said 6:19AM on 11-07-2009
Hearing the same story again and again and you're right about it being from managers that aren't capable of doing their jobs.
I was bullied by a male manager because I am more qualified, better at my job, didn't fancy him and wouldn't bow to his ridiculous ego.
Months of torment, false accusations, monitoring to the point of 'bunny in headlights' stress, and eventual dismissal.
This chain went to the top as none of the senior managers / directors would even listen, instead denying everything as they didn't want to admit any litigation and deliberately taking a blind eye to it.
Everyone in the company knew it was bullying. My solicitor knows it was bullying and harassment though if you don't keep a daily journal (which isn't easy to do when confidentiality laws don't allow for writing or keeping any information at desks in certain jobs) they would say it isn't provable and they won't waste their time on it unless they are getting guaranteed big bucks in any outcome situation.
There should be very strict laws on bullying and somewhere independant and legitimate for people to turn to that will take action as trade unions aren't worth the effort contacting nor are most company chain of command reporting policies.
My advice, keep a very detailed journal of times and exact comments, get witnesses who will speak out and take action from the start.
Every company should be proactive in creating a no tolerance to bullying attitude.
Oh and for the record it seems to happen mostly to women from men.
Fiona said 1:07AM on 11-07-2009
First off contact ACAS for advice, they will offer support, advice, help and ultimately point you in the right direction with regards taking bullying/inept/rubbish employers to court.
I'm taking my employers to court for harrassment following a health issue, where I have been pushed from pillar to post, moved jobs, treated as though I am contageous, you name it, they demanded doctors letters, medical reports and now want me to attend medicals as well (incidentally the reports they have neglected to send payment with to my doctors and want me to pay - I think not), I too work in a predomenantly male environment, but it is not the staff who are being evil towards me, it's the company itself.
Never believe that you are on your own with regards the bullies, and ALWAYS keep a record of what is said and by who with the date and time as well, that way you have a fool proof record to copy for a solicitor.
If you get called in for meetings, get yourself a mini tape recorder and put it on in a pocket, this will be invaluable, I didn't get one, and my employer has stuffed me over.
Basically, NEVER think that you are to blame for what you are being treated like, regardless of race/religion/gender/sexuality/disability they DO NOT have a right to victimise you for their petty enjoyment, but most importantly once you have set the ball in motion with regards to court etc DO NOT BACK DOWN regardless of pressure or what they offer to make you drop the case, as soon as you sign that paperwork, they will use any excuse to get rid of you at the earliest convenience.
Best of luck to ANYONE who has the misfortune to have crap employers, GMB and ACAS websites have a lot of info on them.
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Jane Scott said 2:55AM on 11-07-2009
I have been very unhappy of late in my job but have kept on (too long) for financial reasons (single mum, struggling). The stress brought me to my knees - I went on to develop panic attacks and OCD. Decided nothing was worth this and left last week. Starting to recover but my confidence is shattered. I was a housekeeper at a house where the wife continually shouted and barked orders but did nothing much else. I found I was doing more and more while she got away with her disgusting behaviour. She even accused me of stealing (freezer bags??, clothes, I think she had something very wrong with her, mentally. Even her husband was afraid of her. How do these people get away with it?? It's very difficult in a work situation to just leave and move to something else, especially in the current climate but I eventually decided going bankrupt would be a better solution...My thoughts are with all of you out there going through this.
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julie said 2:47AM on 11-07-2009
im so sorry to see im not alone in this bulling enviroment, every day i go to work i just wonder what next. just wished i could understand how it started, meeting about me with out me. things going on about the team and work load , im not aware of . the list goes on and on.
and what hurts the most everyone i work with, know this goes on,but go along with the bullies.
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Kathleen said 5:35AM on 11-07-2009
I think you should leave Julie. Your health is more important than any job. But make sure you can get a good reference from someone. When you dread going into work that's the time to leave. I have left a comment on here about my experience. I am sure you will get better job elsewhere.
Jill said 9:35AM on 11-07-2009
Know how you feel, went through same thing until I had breakdown early this year. After being treated for work related stress, I got a lawyer and have just won my case but had to suffer accusations and have been ripped apart. It is worth it for the principle and my pride but I am still undergoing help. I feel I can get on with my life now and try to put it behind me. Don't go along with the bullies fight them.
Susan said 2:55AM on 11-07-2009
It happenened to me in my last job, have worked for 30 years wthout a problem, so did nt believe it could be happening, my health started suffering and so did my performance, and my confidence hit rock bottom.
I went to my manager and told him I was having problems with an overly aggresive member of staff who was supposed to be supporting and helping me learn the role...a week later I was given my 1st disciplinary, it got so bad I went to the CAB who confirmed under the circumstances my job was un do able, to ask for confidential counselling and let the company know I had seen them. But as I had only been with the company 7 months I was vulnerable, when they were told I had been to CAB I was fired the same day.
My manager could not understand that I was upset because after 30 years exemplory work record and CV I had a black mark against me due to no fault of my own.
That was March 30th this year, and I am still without a job despite looking and applying, the truth is I still feel unemployable and am working hard to rebuild my confidence.
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Betty hills said 6:46AM on 11-07-2009
Dear Susan
I am so sorry to hear what you have been through, I went through similar many years ago and was ill for a long time after, having counselling did however move me forward and I was finally able, I thought, to put it behind me. Unfortunately after all those years and in a role I love and am devoted to, due to the clients I work with which are vulnerable themselves, I am in the same position again with a bully that is allowed to pick on people indiscriminately. The CEO has been told repeatedly by many members of staff but always says the same 'I am sure it is not as bad as you say' ' I have never had any other complaints' or worse still 'I think you are over-reacting, and that is in your personality'. It seems unbelievable to those who haven't been through it but its real and very painful. I hope you can get through this and I hope you are able to re-build your confidence because otherwise you will never work again and the bully won! My thoughts are with you.
Tab said 11:07AM on 11-07-2009
Always remember: "Defective judges give defective judgements !"
Confidence should be derived from credible sources that have in their disposition:- dignity, integrity, intelligence, and a basic inherent sense of justice.
Therefore, the fact that your despondency was caused by dysfunctional individuals.. THAT'S ACTUALLY A COMPLIMENT TO YOU !! .. HENCE EVERY REASON TO "BOOST" YOUR CONFIDENCE.
May peace be upon you ;)
Rgds.
Transgender Zone said 2:59AM on 11-07-2009
Unfortunately transgender people suffer terribly in the workplace and we work with the Police and other agencies to assist trans people overcome this abuse
Men and women innapropriately touching transgender people who are transitioning is common place - from one gender to the other - and can need all the support they can get - it is unnacceptable to touch transgender people in this way because 'they are still men' - in law this is often not the case
Since the advent of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 abusing our 'outting' transgender people can result in a 5000 pounds fine a criminal offence and open the employer - or those who have information on the individuals past gender - up to civil action possibly crushing their business and careers
So bullying transgender people can result in the destruction of the bully thier career, and financial ruin
its quite simple really bullys need to have 'emotional intelligence' and leave the playground behind them they need to treat people how they would want their most loved family members to be treated - when people bully imagine they should imagine it is their mother standing there or their child - how does that make them feel?
If it makes them feel bad and guilty then don't do it ;)
quite simple really
feel lonely and want to chat with with the transgender community (in a non-sexual way - this is not a dating site)
visit http://www.transgenderzone.com/ and pop into our forums :)
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