bullying in the workplace?

Question

hi. i was wondering am i being bullied?? when i was filling a company form , one of the wuestions was position or job. as i go out on the lorry and work in the store i was unsure what to write down, i asked my boss. he goaded back that i was a goffer. i asked him again five times but he laughed back goffer much to my annoyance. he is always intimidating me through his belowing and leaning towards me when he is talkingto me. last wek i gave him 24 hours notice that i had to take the last 3 hours off work due to a hosputal appointment. he accused me of "pulling a fast one and demanded when i got the appointment. i cant take any more of this. my confidence is shattered and i am anxious. what can i do?? is there anything i can do??

Answer 1

1) Leave
2) See your doctor and have it recorded that you are suffering from an anxiety state and a nervous disorder.
3) See your lawyer and sue for harassment and intimidation and damages for your now documented/substantiated illness
4) Take a holiday on your out of court settlement (which is the likely outcome)
5) Find new job when you get back

Answer 2

You could consider going down the 'constructive dismissal' route!

But, you would have to have a lot of proof against him - keep a written record of all the incidents and days, time etc etc! What was said and how it was said - intimidating etc

You would also have to leave - which is where it gets difficult -

If you have a personnel department - make an appointment to see the Manager and state your grievance to him/her!

Most companies have a set procedure for complaints of this type and they have to be followed to the letter!

It may however, make your life there even more uncomfortable until the point comes when you have had enough and leave! Then you are back at the constructive dismissal stage again!

Whatever you do - keep a record of everything - even your talk with personnel - ask for copies of any records they keep - they cannot refuse to give you these - the only thing they can refuse to give you is any personal information about the person you are making the complaint against!

Answer 3

Welcome to the club. Everyone has had to put up with an overbearing boss - if you have fellow workers get their opinion on whether they think that you are being unfairly treated, it may be that you are over reacting. Patience is the key, Keep a very private record of the confrontations, and when a particularly nasty incident occurs. make sure that there are witnesses - put your case forward about his behaviour - ie tell him that he maybe has some communication problems, or maybe he should go back to the schoolyard, Sounds like he is a big fish in a small pond with an ego problem. It's not easy - play it by ear but play the game very carefully - unless you really want to leave -then go down with all guns firing.

Answer 4

Doesn't sound like bullying to me. Twenty four hours notice of a hospial appointment is not acceptable on any level. Speaking loudly and leaning in your direction also does not sound like bullying. Why would your confidence be shattered? You are starting off work and are at the bottom of the pile - that's life. You must know what you were employed as, your official title, why should your boss have to tell you what you already know - take responsibility, he is your boss not your mother. This man is your greatest gift. Learn to handle him without getting anxious or your confidence being shattered and you will have learnt something useful. Alternatively, report him to personnel, make a formal complaint and officially joint the UK Victim culture

Answer 5

A quick fix is to change jobs,to stay and fight may cause more grief,even if you win by tribunal or whatever the atmosphere is still there.

I was bullied at school and work until when 18 I decided to stand up for myself,Now I'm not saying you do the same as I entered into a long hard 10yrs before finally overcoming bullying and my confidence fully restored.
Read my blog if you wish.

Hope this helps

Answer 6

continually search for a better job, it's out there, you just need to put the time in to get it, look for another job ON HIS TIME, make phone calls etc., then when the other company Say's "We'll hire you", the "Hunter" now becomes the "HUNTED", tell the new job that you would like 3 weeks notice to give to your boss because he has been so good to you, you want him to have enough time to replace you, they'll probably say "O.K", then for two weeks bang in sick, don't show up for work, give him smart *** remarks in front of other employees, etc. really give him the impression that you think he's a piece of sh-t, and has no power over you, make fun of his clothes, face, anything you can for two weeks, then quit, and take a week off to relax before the new job.

Answer 7

yes it is and dont stand for it when i was 16 i worked in a garage and put up with a lot of sexual harassment and bullying in the end i walked out and took the company to a tribunal which i won they admitted it but said it was horse play i was 16 these men were in there 40s and 50s don't stand for it

when i went to the toilet they would unlock the door from the outside and on several occasions they pulled my trousers down say something now keeping it to yourself only makes it worse believe me

Answer 8

If I were in your shoes, I will start to look for a new job. There is no point working for such boss when he don't give you the respect that you deserved in the first place. In any working environment, it is the teamwork that made the work move. So if someone in the team show this type of disrespect, there is no point working for him

Answer 9

i recently put a grievance in as my area manager was a **** to me whilst i was pregnant.If id kept some sort of record id probably been able to take it further,so keep a record from now of everthing he does,times and dates etc,if he has a superior make a complaint to him about it,if you have any witneses to back you up this helps,also contact citizens advice,they were great with me,and they well explain all your options,and will probably make phonecalls to the big bosses on your behalf,as well as helping you contact a solicitor.If its affecting your health too however get sighned of work also,and lastly good luck,and dont let him get away with it.

Answer 10

he is putting the pressure on you a lot by the looks of things
you can complain that he is being unfairly rude to you, i cant think of it right now but there is a rule about being treated unfairly in the workplace and you can get the company/man done for it