Bullying in the workplace.

beanie2010

Hi,
I'm looking for some advice please. Basically I feel I'm being bullied by one of my bosses & some of his family members. If they don't completely ignore me they are making false complaints about my work to another boss. They often openly insult me but tend to do it in a 'jokey' way even though that is not the way they mean it. They have tried to turn some other co-workers against me by putting me down behind my back.

Really I just want to know what I can do. Should I start a diary documenting each incident? How successful are claims of bullying in the workplace?

I'm really at the end of my tether. I'm not a soft person by nature & I don't read too much into situations so I know it's not in my head. Other workers have approached me about the treatment I get to say it's unfair.

The straw that broke the camels back was being reported for being half an hour late into work even though I had told my manager I had a medical appointment I needed to go to. She was fine with it but the bully boss demanded to know where I was & complained to the other boss that I couldn't take time off to go swanning around. I had told my manager that I would work up the extra time during my lunch break & she was fine with it.

Sorry for the long post.

MagicSean

Diary of events is a great asset for the future.

Naikon

k_mac wrote: »

Diary of events is a great asset for the future.

Not good. Fabrication is too easy when it comes to a diary of events. You will need stronger proof.

darragh666

You mentioned a second boss or manager, I would start by talking to them.

beanie2010

Thanks, I thought as much.

Would I be shooting myself in the foot to hint at taking the legal route in order to stop the bullying?

I actually enjoy my job, I'm very grateful to have it & I don't want to lose it. I just want this horrible treatment to stop. I take pride in what I do & I'm never late, I usually turn up five minutes before I'm due to start so I can get my computer on & get myself organised. I regularly work on late if it's required & if it's particularly busy I start early, as asked, with very little notice & no complaints from me.

It's gotten to the stage when I feel sick some mornings going into work. As I said already I'm not a soft person. I'm quite strong & don't take things to heart usually. But this has been going on for over a year & I suppose it has taken it's toll on me now. If I said or did something to cause it then I would at least have a reason as to why it started, I even asked the normal boss if he knew why I'm being targetted but he doesn't know. And I know he should do something but he's a quiet individual that doesn't like confrontation so I can understand why he's glossing over it all.

beanie2010

Naikon wrote: »

Not good. Fabrication is too easy when it comes to a diary of events. You will need stronger proof.

What else do I need as stronger proof?
Co-workers have approached me to say they have noticed what is going on but if it came down to it I wouldn't feel comfortable asking them to back me up in a legal situation as it would put their jobs on the line & I doubt they would volunteer because of this.

dub45

beanie2010 wrote: »

What else do I need as stronger proof?
Co-workers have approached me to say they have noticed what is going on but if it came down to it I wouldn't feel comfortable asking them to back me up in a legal situation as it would put their jobs on the line & I doubt they would volunteer because of this.

A record for yourself is an excellent idea if only as a memory aid as to what exactly happened and when.

Have a read of this it should help you:

http://www.lrc.ie/documents/publications/codes/6Bullying.pdf

FreudianSlippers

Bullying in the workplace is a serious matter and should be considered by a Solicitor.