Getting bullied at work...what shall I do?

Question

I work for a major supermarket for about a year now.Since the day I started we had the employee handbook rammed down our throat one bit specifiacally said"we will not put up with any bullying or harrassment in any way shape or form" I have been treated badly by a member of staff since I started.First she wouldnt speak to me at all.Then she started having a go at me but not to me...the remarks were about me but to another member of staff so I could hear.
She had a go at me for chatting to a customer and another colleague and I went to management to complain which we believed to be confidential.He told her and only about me...this has made her worse.When customers ask me where something is and I dont know I ask her...she ignores me and in affect the customer.
She has even started telling other colleagues that I have made formal complaints about them...I havnt but they wont speak to me now.I DREAD going to work now.Hubby says I should leave and sue the supermarket.What should I do?

Answer 1

Leave and sue the supermarket.

It looks like it's gotten to a point where it's not salvageable.

The manager was out of order telling the other employee that you were the one that complained. That's extremely poor management.

Before you leave, you could go over your immediate manager's head; and go to head management. I doubt they'd be very pleased at all at how this was handled. Ask to remain anonymous, considering what happened before. They may investigate, and even dismiss that manager, or the employee that's causing such a bad working environment.

However, be prepared to resign. Have all your grievances written down, any evidence for the treatment you've recieved.
Cite the reason you are leaving as the woman gossiping about you, harrassing you etc., and your immediate manager in particular.

I'm jumping ahead a bit, but you may consider whether she's dangerous outside of work or not. You don't want her showing up at your house or something. Does she know where you live? She's seems obsessed. So you may want to consider police involvement. Court order against her to stay away from you, your home. Just keep it in mind. Some people go surprising far. Not saying she will. Just be prepared.

check out health and safety, work related stress:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/standards/

dealing with the workplace bully:
http://www.workplacebullying.co.uk/targetind.html

Answer 2

If you dread going to work, it's time to start looking for a new job. If you leave the company now, these experiences will be just a bad memory in a year. I am not a legal practitioner but if you are going to make claim for constructive dismissal, wouldn't you have to go through the supermarket's formal complaints process and give your employer the opportunity to investigate any allegations first? If you are going to sue, it is in your best interests to get legal advice before you quit.

If you really want to keep working there and this bully is your only problem, have you tried confronting her? I take it she is not your manager. Bullies will keep knocking away at your self esteem until you break and nobody deserves that. Stand up to bullies and they often leave you alone.

Good luck

Answer 3

I work for a Major supermarket. I have also experienced bullying. So i know what you are going through.
Please talk to your Personnel (HR) Manager. They are obliged to take your allegations seriously.
As for the person responsible, i wouldn't mind betting that you are not the first person to experience such disgraceful behaviour from her. To be honest she probably already has a reputation.
Your line Manager should have dealt with this more effectively, he is supposed to follow up any outcome.
If you wished to sue, then you must show that you have given your employer every opportunity to resolve this problem. This must be documented. Is there a Union where you work? If so you can contact them, they can represent you. One thing though, i would speak to your HR Manager before involving the Union. It maybe that the problem can be resolved without their help.
If you don't have a Union (my Company doesn't) then do not be daunted, go to your HR Manager anyway, I have always found them to be sympathetic.
If need be you can move to another department. That isn't fair i know, but sometimes its for the best.
Please don't just put up with it, i really do understand how you are feeling, no one has the right to make you feel like that.
good luck.

Answer 4

I would only resort to law as a last resort, as it can be an expensive and lengthy process.

Your first step should be to join a trades union (if you haven't already done so). They will be able to represent you, and also they know all the legal stuff about what you can and can't do.

Does your employer have a formal grievance procedure (they should). Make a formal complaint on a form or in writing.

The manager was wrong to betray your confidence. Take it higher, and explain why you can't trust your manager. Make a diary of all events, this may be useful evidence in a tribunal.

Don't take this lying down. Find out what your rights are (again, use the union).

Answer 5

Start keeping a notebook in your pocket. Document all your interactions and problems with this person over the course of a week or two.

Then file a written complaint to your manager, and send a duplicate of the complaint to Human Resources at the home office of your company.

If all else fails, there is always the Equal Employement Opportunity Commission and attornies.

Doc Hudson

Answer 6

Are you in a union? If the answer is yes, please speak to your union rep, usually they will have access to an employment law specialist who can advise you. If the answer is no, then check the company handbook and see what the company's policy is on bullying. You will probably have to follow their 'grievance procedure'. This may include an interview with your boss who is under a legal obligation to take your complaint seriously. A useful website is - ACAS. Check this out. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to leave and bring an action for construction dismissal in an employment tribunal. Good Luck!

Answer 7

You need to use the grievance procedure. In the U.K under the Employment Act of 2002 the referred to handbook must contain provision for a "grievance procedure" which you will probably need to do in writing. It should indicate "who you should complain to" and also outline the procedure for complaining and the time period in which your grievance will be considered by management. So you need to type out a statement in writing reporting the various incidents you mention giving date, time and witnesses names.

If in your submission you can convince your employer that the referred to "harassment" and "victimisation" of you by that person has indeed harmed the relationship between the supermarket and shoppers, management is very likely to back you 100% and take disciplinary action against her, possibly leading to termination of "HER" employment for "gross misconduct". So give it a go!

Answer 8

You should speak one more time to your supervisor and insist he/she put a stop to it or you are going to file a complaint with the department of labor agains the employee and the store.

Explain that the bullying is intolerable, effects your work and is completely against the law. Explain that you are not a troublemaker and really don't want to start trouble but you need your job and want to continue working with no more problems from the jerk.

Answer 9

Advise the Store manager , and human resources , and your immediate supervisor. Tell the Store Manager that this woman is making the workplace unbearable to you .

Contact the corporate office if its a chain , and complain to the District Manager.

Contact a lawyer about a suit against the store.

Answer 10

you need to go back to the management person who you spoke to and inform them what has been happening. they were right to tell her that there was a problem but i think they have overlooked the consequences. make sure you say that you are considering leaving and want to inform the area manager as this will make sure that something is done. you will never be friends with this person so you have to try to harden yourself against any nasty things that she says or does and realise that most of the time its because they are jealous of you and want to put you down so never let her see how upset you are as this will encourage her. its difficult i know but eventually it will ease but in the meantime you have to keep communicating with your boss and maybe keep a diary of what is being said or done so that if they fail you then you can definitely report the problem even higher. remember you are a good person and are better than them. good luck!