Where to report workplace bullying/abuse

smokingman

Hi all,

My sister is a biochemist and her boss is trying to push her out of the job by constantly abusing her and nit-picking everthing she does. Sis has never had a problem with any of her old bosses in the past and every one of them have praised her to high heaven. This new boss constantly shouts and curses at her and my sister has rung me duing work completely breaking down crying at least three times in the last few weeks.

Now, when she went to the HR department, they didn't want to know and just said "ah sure you sort it out yourselves, it's not our job to solve personal conflicts" but seeing as my sis is being pushed out of her job on this, I would regard it as a professional issue.

Can anyone help on who she could report this workplace bullying to outside the company?

cheers.

the_syco

http://www.oasis.gov.ie/employment/employment_rights/bullying_in_the_workplace.html

WhiteWashMan

tell her to go directly to the head of HR.

this sort of abuse will not stop for her, or for anyone else, and the people in HR who are not doing their jobs should be reported too.

if the head of HR is not interested, go to the most senior person in the company, and inform them that she has a problem which has not be addressed at any level in the company.

stopper

Tell her to contact the Anti-Bullying Centre in Trinity College. The staff there are able to give advice on bullying and harassment situations.

The web site is http://www.abc.tcd.ie/ and they can be contacted by phone on (01) 608 2573. The service is free.

If she wants to find out her legal options she can talk to a solicitor at a Free Legal Advice centre. Check out http://www.flac.ie

I had a manager in my last job who for two years made my life hell. It got so bad that I had a letter of resignation ready to fire off to HR.

I complained to the guy's manager. His atitude was that I was the one with the problem.

stopper

coolhandluke

Put it in writing to the HR department.
Then go sick for 2 weeks(provided you get paid sick leave that is),come back if it contines this time put it in writing to senior managment go sick for another 2 weeks.At this point any company would be very unwise not to deal with the situation.

stopper

Tell her to check out the Health and Safety Authority web site (www.hsa.ie) also.

They have a FAQ section on bullying. See http://www.hsa.ie/publisher/index.jsp?&1nID=97&nID=385&aID=1163.

She can contact a Rights Commissioner at the Labour Relations Commission on 01 6136700. Rights Commissioners deal with bullying grievances through mediation and/or arbitration.

stopper

stopper

I forgot this. The Equality Authority may be able to help her also.

The web site is http://www.equality.ie/ and the phone number is 01 4173333.

stopper

dub45

A couple of points. Has she ever told her boss that his behaviour is unacceptable? She should memo and date any particular incidents. Any dealing she has with the Company particularly informing them that there is a problem should be made in writing so that there is a physical record of her complaint. All companies have a duty of care to their employees.

The Health and Safety Authority publish a written code of conduct in relation to bullying and harassment.

Our man in Havana

I would go sick for a period of time and if it wasn't sorted in this time, resign and claim constructive dismissal as your employer has failed to do anything about it.

ArthurDent

Most employers also have some type of anti-bullying/harrassment policy (can also be called dignity and respect policy). Tell her to get a copy of it. In this policy there must be a complaints procedure and advise her to put her complaint in writing - once written down the company must act on it - amazing how often HR depts try to make things dissappear if there are only verbal complaints.

If she is being flanneled by the company at thay stage a letter to HR copied to her own solicitor usually does the trick. If she is in a union she should tell them immediately. And she is entitled to have a representative at any hearing/ complaints procedure (not from the company if she wishes)

dub45

Bond-007 wrote:

I would go sick for a period of time and if it wasn't sorted in this time, resign and claim constructive dismissal as your employer has failed to do anything about it.

It is unrealistic for someone to go sick and expect an issue like this to be sorted out in their absence - you really have to make sure that the employer knows there is an issue to be sorted out so some form of written notification has to be submitted. Under no circumstances give an employer an opportunity to claim that they were unaware of any problem. it is not sufficient to submit a sick cert say with 'stress' as a reason.