Workers Rights

rugbug86

Hey,

Apologies if this is in the wrong place, it's not a rant, I'm just wondering where I stand on this.

I work part-time in Company X and I have been working here for 2 years. I work under one person who works under the overall manager, my uncle. (Just a bit of background info)

There's a girl who started here about a year ago, lets call her KJ for the sake of fairness. (It's not her initials, I call her kn0bjockey in my spare time) and she's forever on my case, saying how much she hates me, she ignores me and she constantly puts me down. There's lots she has done, I just don't want to post it all here. It's getting the the ridiculus stage to be honest.

The other day it got worse, if it could. I hurt my foot playing sport and she asked our first aider (in front of the whole office and lots of other people) if he could fix my clitoris. I was shocked and I didn't know what to do. I don't know if I should talk to my direct boss or go to my uncle. Or am I over-reacting? And can I go to my uncle about this? I wouldn't be comfortable about it.

Any advise appreciated, and mod's apoligies if this is in the wrong place.

seamus

This is bullying in the workplace. Go to your direct Manager first and make a formal complaint. If this manager refuses to do anything about it, or otherwise doesn't listen to you, then go to your Uncle.

Your Uncle will eventually hear about it no doubt, but I wouldn't go over your boss's head simply because you're family. Mainly because your uncle would probably fire her on-the-spot, and she could have grounds for some sort of unfair dismissal, "They're out to get me" claim because of your family ties.

Paddyo

Ask your direct boss for a copy of the company's anti bullying policy and follow the procedures in it.

But I suspect that, as with most companies in Ireland, there is not such policy document.

As seamus said, go to your direct boss first.

Paddyo

WhiteWashMan

as well as the above, document as much as you can accurately.
include times, witnesses and dates, and what was said or done.

although, on the other hand, she may fancy you.
women are strange sometimes

personally, id say approach your uncle out of work and ask his advice on who you should talk to.

nesf

I'd go to the your direct boss about it, just to avoid "abusing your connections" in his eyes. Some people can get a bit angsty when they are passed over on the "chain of command" when someone has family at the top. It's worth making the effort to show that you aren't just your uncles nephew but also a regular employee. Can make life easier.


It's bullying and abusive etc. As said above, take care of it formally and get a formal complaint in. Do it in writing with a list of witnesses and the times etc. See if it can be sorted quietly and professionally first. If that doesn't work, well, go talk to your uncle and go the unsubtle route about it.

Duckjob

Might be worth tackling her directly about it. Ask to speak to her in private, and tell her that you find her behaviour towards you unacceptable and unless it changes, you will be making a formal complaint of bullying.

Most bullies will back down if they think you're serious, and she will if she has any sense, especially considering your connections.

If you do this, try to bring somebody as a witness (a collegue on the same level as you) that you trust. That way, if it comes to her being fired, you can demonstrate that you made every effort to be reasonable, and she can't play the 'i thought it was just a bit of fun' card.

Trojan

nesf wrote:

you aren't just your uncles nephew

I think the word you're looking for is "niece".

Agreed with WWM: ask the uncle, if you have a good relationship with him.

nesf

Trojan wrote:

I think the word you're looking for is "niece".

Doh