ProperCharlie

What would you do: x says he's being bullied at work. gets into a state and goes home. Claims all sorts of outrageous stuff was said/done. Others say it was just a laugh, what's the problem?

no-one can prove anything one way or another, how are you supposed to take any action?

Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts.

Charlie.

basal_lobe

You can't. Best would be to have an informal word with those involved on a personal only level. Let them know you don't need the hassle and if anything starts again you will take further action. Might help to let them know you are going to be installing hidden CCTV cameras at some point soon.

Nick VR4

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onelife/work/rights/sticky_bully.shtml

Companies are still not taking workplace bullying and the effect it has on employees' health seriously enough.

What is bullying at work?

Being treated in a demeaning and unacceptable way
This can include offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour - or misusing power to undermine, humiliate or injure you

It can:

Happen to one person or a group
Be obvious or subtle
Be face-to-face, in writing, via email or over the phone

Examples include:

Insults
Spreading malicious rumours
Ridiculing or demeaning someone
Exclusion or victimisation
Overbearing supervision and other misuse of power or position
Deliberately undermining people and blocking promotion or training opportunities

What should I do if someone is bullying me?

Employers MUST prevent bullying, so tell someone in the company.
Tell your union what's happening if you're in one.
Talk to your local Citizen's Advice Bureau, an ACAS enquiry point or a bullying helpline.
Find out if anyone else is being bullied and if anyone saw what happened to you.
Don't let the bully get you on your own.
Keep a diary with dates, times, witnesses, your feelings, etc.
Keep copies of anything that shows evidence of bullying and of your competence in your job.
If it's making you ill, tell your employer.
Tell that person, either personally, in writing or through a trusted third party, to stop - they may not realise how they're making you feel.
If you make a formal complaint, follow your employer's procedures.

basal_lobe

I presume you aren't the one being bullied but someone in authority (based on your post)? If you are being bullied then don't stand for it-get a dictaphone or similar and record it happening.

If you are in authority then the softly softly approach will work best. A quiet word should see them back off.

ProperCharlie

i'm starting to think that maybe it wouild be better to make an example: ie we do not stand for this - look what will happen to you.

basal_lobe

If you have no proof then you can't really make an example of anyone. They might have you in front of an industrial tribunal if things really went down hill from here.

If you think you can make it stick then by all means hit them hard. Bullying in the workplace is just not on.

CarpetCleaner

revenge is the only way

Markus

Calling Astraboy, come in Astraboy!

CarpetCleaner

just get the bully.........follow them home.....then go up to them and say you know where they live and the'd better be careful

This will work, you take the 'fight' to their doorstep

astraboy

somebody call?

astraboy.

beemerboy

yeah, just like you did, CC, with your lezzo boss.... NOT!!!!
hahahahahahahhaahah
BB

The Collective

Get the 'bully' and the victim together. Tell the bully that while they believed it was done as a laugh the victim didn't see it that way. If the bully makes a sincere apology it probably wont happen again. If the bully gets defensive keep an eye out for revenge attacks.

ProperCharlie

Seems to be more or less sorted now. Severe words have been had. Main problem is you get continual counter-allegations. "Well last week x did this, before I did that x did this to me" etc etc. Have to try and explain that one person being wrong doesn't make it ok for another person to be even more wrong...

ahh the joys of managing people...

astraboy

Erm, you could always get them all together and say,
"You're not here to "have a laugh" you're here to work!"
solve the problem and avoid the bully taking it out on the victim.
astratroubleshooter.

ProperCharlie

astra - my first words were "so you've got time to **** about all day have you?"

Little Miss WRX

I would be very careful going that route!!!!

If the person being recorded does not consent to being recorded IIRC this will not stand up as evidence and can actually backfire on you.

The best way of making recordings is to keep a diary recording, day, date, time, location, people present, events that occurred....eg. words said - quote them and actions that took place etc, etc.

basal_lobe

[img]http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/bbs/images/letters/plusmember.gif
[/img]


It might not stand up as evidence in court but anyone listening to it would have a good idea of who was telling the truth.

ProperCharlie

Beemer, do you work here as well or something?

Little Miss WRX

Depends how trustworthy your senior management are.......the ones who were my superiors were as trustworthy as Gollum on the loose.

beemerboy

hahah LOL at PC and L M WRX...
its quite a sad subject actually, because i guess some people can make life absolute hell for others.

i persoanally would like, if i was in the "Bullied" shoes, to have it out in an open (chaired) discussion.

then its done with, people get warned, publically, and everyone can get on with trying to earn a crust!!!

----or reading scoobynet!!!

hope it works itself out.

BB

Little Miss WRX

Hey BB,

I have been in that situation myself as a witness to another person getting bullied.

The end result? After an open meeting, the shifts had basically ganged up on the victim and denied that anything had gone on. The management dismissed what I had to say and the victim suffered more bullying and eventually left after going off with stress.

beemerboy

"keep a diary"

yeah right...

Dear Diary,
monday .... 9.15, big John called me a poof.
monday .... 9.16, i called big john a fat ****
monday ....9.17, big john threatened me.

monday 9.00pm... did some homework
monday 10.00pm ... had some horlicks and went to bed.

hahah how will this help in court?? its just writing, and could have been written anytime, along with forged referees..???

IMHO the best thing to do is call a meeting and get it all out in the open.
That is the only way!!!!

BB

edited, coz i couldn't spell bed!!!




[Edited by beemerboy - 4/10/2003 12:47:30 PM]