Harrassment at work?

fatchance09

i'm a gay guy but don't think I'd be very obviously gay in that many people didn't know I was gay until they got to know me. I don't flaunt it or anything. At work some of my collegues who used always aim to rise me are taking it too far I think. I've found names like Gaylord and Butt-****er scrawled on paper on my desktop and recently discovered a banana wrapped in a condom on my desk chair. It's a communal office area...so am not sure who'e doing it but it's beyond annoying now. People, who I thought were close collegues play completely dumb and offer no help as to who the culprits are. I don't wanna kick up a stink about it at the same time as I'm on a temporary contract and think it might not be renewed if I were to cause trouble so to speak with allegations of bullying. Any thoughts?

Cleopatra12

you are being victimised and bullied by some very juvenile people. Sorry to hear it. If your company has an equality officer, go to them about it. they are very discrete people and are well used to stuff like this. Otherwise you have to go to HR, irrespective of you temp contract.

Consider this, if it is extended (the contract) is the bullying really a price you want to pay for a job?

Tippex

If it was me I would not think twice about taking it further.
That is not acceptable behaviour in the workplace and any employer worth their salt would not stand for it.

Sir Ophiuchus

I'd say that's definitely crossed the line (*way* over the line, actually) to full-on harassment, and I'd talk to human resources about it ASAP.

This

take pictures as evidence of the things that happen as eveidence as I know one guy who was in a similar situation and the managers didnt (want to) believe him and it continued on and he ended up quitting.

what some companies will do to keep a good name...

goto HR asap

chuckles30

Definitely go to hr - as someone said, what if your contract is renewed? This is just completely juvenile behaviour. I cannot believe that people don't know who's doing it. Having worked in open-plan offices for years, normally people have a fair idea what's happening and who's doing what. You should not have to suffer this kind of harassment.

kmick

Are there any work colleagues you can take aside and ask discretely who did it?

faceman

OP, highlight this to HR immediately. You are legally protected when you make your complaint as this falls into the bullying legislation.

Does your employer have a bullying policy?

Regardless of whether or not you know who is doing the bullying, it is the responsibility of your employer to address the issue.

Keep of record of everything that happens and a record of your communication with HR.
You are legally protected from any negative recourse when you make your complaint.

Best of luck, hope everything works out for you

garp

In times like this Everyone should think about protecting their job first and foremost.
Once that is done go to HR or where ever.

In the mean time, every time something like this is done make a note of it.
Keep all notes, pictures ect that are left on your desk. Build up a file on it.
If HR don’t help then seek help out side of the company.


Good luck.

wexford202

I don't know if I would rush straight into HR.

I would first ask your close clooegues do they know who is doing it as you find it very offensive. Say you know that in some peoples weird ways it would be taken as humour but you are offended by it.

If they still say they don't know just say I will have to go to HR about it and turn it into a bigger thing than it is and people will get into trouble unecessarily.

They will probably tell you who it is then and it will be up to you to decide whether youm want to go further depending on who it is.

I wouldn't find it funny. I also would look at it as a form of bullying but there are people out there with the strangest sense of humour.

Taltos

Have you spoken to your direct manager?
If you go straight to HR then this might rankle - unless you think it is this person?

Most companies have some form of process to put in complaints and they are meant to be non-retaliatory. I suggest you immediately make a note of the incidents, the dates, who was there etc then first approach you manager.

Indicate to them that you really just want them to help you put this away, ie do not be aggressive or threatening. But if you do not see an appropriate resp here then you may need to go to HR. Actually I would think that your manager might get HR involved immediatey - more to cover themselves than for anything else.

This is a serious issue and just ignoring it though maybe easy is not the right thing to do. And I mean this in reference to your work-mates - someone there should have the courage to stop the others - talk about acting like kids (worse than).

Hope you can work this out.

neuro-praxis

I really feel for you. Nobody should have to experience this kind of behaviour in any context, let alone at work. Be under no illusions that it's pretty disgraceful and it is absolutely not your fault.

I would take the advice given above and go straight to HR. I would be clear that it is unacceptable, but be kind and good natured. Wise as serpents, innocent as doves, as they say.

Gone Drinking

Find out who's doing it and start scribbling "straight bastard" and "fanny licker" on their desktop.. Then maybe leave two pieces of raw liver in a jar, on their seat.

Seriously though man, while i can understand how its getting annoying.. i wouldn't let it get to me.. just throw the stuff in the bin and ignore it, they'll get bored.

Lollipops23

This is full-on harrassment, under the 9conditions of the equality laws, sexual orientation cannot be used to discriminate someone.

If you're in a union get on to your shop steward asap. If not, go to HR yourself and tell them that they have a duty of care to you andf if they don't sort it you will be on to the equality commission.

neuro-praxis

Gone Drinking wrote: »

Find out who's doing it and start scribbling "straight bastard" and "fanny licker" on their desktop.. Then maybe leave two pieces of raw liver in a jar, on their seat.

I know Gone Drinking is only joking...but seriously, don't retaliate!