ARE YOU BEING BULLIED AT WORK

We have recently been approached by two clients who are being bullied at work and as a result find themselves under increasing stress levels.

What can you do if you are being bullied at work, well here are a few tips.

1.  Keep a detailed diary of various incidents, what was said, the manner in which it was said and the circumstances in which it was said.

2.  Keep copies of any e-mails or any written evidence of the bullying.

3.  Has there been a culture of bullying in the workplace?  If other members of staff have left as a result of incidents of bullying, try to obtain their details as they may be willing to act as witnesses on your behalf.

4.  Is there anyone who has seen or evidenced the actS of bullying, if so, they may (though it is rare) be willing to act as a witness for you so at least ask.

5.  If the behaviour of your employers is causing your stress levels to raise to untenable levels then you must attend upon your GP and inform them.

6.  Does your firm have a grievance policy?  If it does then follow this precisely however, when putting your grievance in writing do have it checked by someone.  It would be preferable to have it checked by someone unconnected with your workplace.   It really is worth paying a reasonable fee to a lawyer who can review your comments with a view to any possible future claim.    If your grievance policy is not worded well this can work against you at a later date.

7.  Unfortunately anyone in this situation will become distressed and sometimes the most pragmatic of people cannot see situations clearly and may make unsubstantiated allegations which at a later may be the undoing of a reasonable claim.  SO HAVE THE CONTENTS OF YOUR GRIEVANCE POLICY CHECKED BEFORE YOU SUBMIT IT TO YOUR EMPLOYERS.

8.  If your employer states that they want a meeting with you, then if you belong to a Union ask for a representative to attend with you. If you do not belong to a Union confirm that you are willing to attend a meeting but you wish to bring a friend to take notes of the meeting.  There are times when you may not feel confident in your Union Representative, in which case only you can make the decision of whether you want them in attendance, BUT DO TAKE SOMEONE TO THE MEETING WITH YOU.

9.  If you cannot take a friend then ask if you can tape the meeting or alternatively make a full note of the meeting, this will be time consuming obviously as you will have to make a note of each question asked of you and then note your response, but, it is important that you obtain this record.

10.  If you are handed any documentation and asked to comment on it, request a copy of such documentation for your records.

REMEMBER IF YOU ARE SUMMARILY DISMISSED YOU ONLY HAVE THREE MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF DISMISSAL IN WHICH TO SUBMIT A CLAIM TO THE EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL.


THIS ARTICLE IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY