bullying complaint

[letsby ave]

Im new to RM now,employed as casual but worked for 6 months last year with an agency.

Problem is there is a manager who is very rude and patronising when he speaks to me, in front of others. And then says, 'have a sense of humour' etc. I often get a major ticking off, at a drop of a hat for relatively trivial things.

At first I did not let the shouting and abuse get to me, I just thought it was his way of talking to people and part of the banter. I noticed other staff, some I have not worked or really spoken to teasing me and calling my name out. The penny dropped because they were doing it apparently because of the way the manager talks to me. I was wondering whether he was trying to wind me up to get me to respond so he can show me the door

I have worked at many offices in London as an agency member and no manager has spoken to me the way he has. If I was in the wrong they would normally be polite and professional.

If I was not up to scratch work wise, being a RM casual he would be within his rights not to call me in surely? But Im given regular work. Secondly if I was below par, isntead of shouting and trying to belittle me in front of others he would go down the discipline route, ie verbal, written warning etc? I was told the manager was a union rep so should know how to treat people.

What would be the best way to deal with this? speak to him? Or speak to the senior manager in the office? Or ring the harrasment hotline?

[interested]

If you feel you can speak to him about it. I'd try this first.

If you still think things haven't improved, ask another manager or colleague for a H1 form & make a formal complaint. It will be investigated by another manager.

[steven100]

I'd only advise you to fill our a bullying form if you can provide witnesses to back you up. If not, don't bother it will be more trouble than its worth in the future. All managers stick together.
Like most companies, the policies are their but not delivered.

[POSTMAN]

What's a RM casual,how does that work?

[telulikis]

Im new to RM now,employed as casual but worked for 6 months last year with an agency.

Problem is there is a manager who is very rude and patronising when he speaks to me, in front of others. And then says, 'have a sense of humour' etc. I often get a major ticking off, at a drop of a hat for relatively trivial things.

At first I did not let the shouting and abuse get to me, I just thought it was his way of talking to people and part of the banter. I noticed other staff, some I have not worked or really spoken to teasing me and calling my name out. The penny dropped because they were doing it apparently because of the way the manager talks to me. I was wondering whether he was trying to wind me up to get me to respond so he can show me the door

I have worked at many offices in London as an agency member and no manager has spoken to me the way he has. If I was in the wrong they would normally be polite and professional.

If I was not up to scratch work wise, being a RM casual he would be within his rights not to call me in surely? But Im given regular work. Secondly if I was below par, isntead of shouting and trying to belittle me in front of others he would go down the discipline route, ie verbal, written warning etc? I was told the manager was a union rep so should know how to treat people.

What would be the best way to deal with this? speak to him? Or speak to the senior manager in the office? Or ring the harrasment hotline?

First thing to do is to speak to someone you trust that work with you in the office and explane how you feel.

Join the union if you can.

Secondly ask the person that you trust to witness you telling this manager how you feel about the way he is treating/talk to you, Make sure that you put it in writting and give the Manager the letter. Make it clear that you want it to stop

Don't worry about his reaction.

If it continuous!

Put in a Grievance.

Hope this helps
.

[letsby ave]

Thanks telulikis

Well it is quite obvious to others how he talks to me. One fellow casual witnessed it and jokingly pointed to the harrasment hotline poster saying I may have to call it. I thought it was banter, but the banter is usually between fellow workers. Managers dont usually join in, cos it may cause some conflict of interest.So I have got a witness, in fact many!

maybe some managers like having a 'whipping boy' but no need for bullying, if the worker is not under performing.

So just write a letter along the lines of:'To whom it may concern, just informing you of the way manager X speaks to me etc etc.[then list examples] Not only is this impolite and rude it can be seen as bullying and harrasment, and not good for morale. I have not had any disciplinary measures taken against me by said manager so no need for it. I would like it to stop'

So it should do the trick, and not cause some backlash, ie him not calling me in for work etc? or renewing the rolling 12 week contract? or would he need the agreement of other managers? They all seem ok with me. They never moan about anything Ive done unlike said feller.
Out of interest has anyone been on the receiving end of bullying, harrasment, complaints? or are managers not on this forum? just wondered.

[stokes11eg]

If you work through an agency,report him to them,if nothing else it should go on record,and should others who are sent there by the agency complain,it could be that they could threaten to stop sending staff there.
Personally with fools like that, I tend to pretend I do 'not hear their sarky comments, and after a few times, they stop!
good luck.

[mailsort6]

Im new to RM now,employed as casual but worked for 6 months last year with an agency.

Problem is there is a manager who is very rude and patronising when he speaks to me, in front of others. And then says, 'have a sense of humour' etc. I often get a major ticking off, at a drop of a hat for relatively trivial things.

At first I did not let the shouting and abuse get to me, I just thought it was his way of talking to people and part of the banter. I noticed other staff, some I have not worked or really spoken to teasing me and calling my name out. The penny dropped because they were doing it apparently because of the way the manager talks to me. I was wondering whether he was trying to wind me up to get me to respond so he can show me the door

I have worked at many offices in London as an agency member and no manager has spoken to me the way he has. If I was in the wrong they would normally be polite and professional.

If I was not up to scratch work wise, being a RM casual he would be within his rights not to call me in surely? But Im given regular work. Secondly if I was below par, isntead of shouting and trying to belittle me in front of others he would go down the discipline route, ie verbal, written warning etc? I was told the manager was a union rep so should know how to treat people.

What would be the best way to deal with this? speak to him? Or speak to the senior manager in the office? Or ring the harrasment hotline?

Firstly, approach the manager with a colleague and remind them of RM's and CWU's bullying and harassment procedure and state that you will be using it against them. Are you in the union if so go and see you union rep, this is bullying and other employees are joining in, however, they have bantered about the bullying and harassment line the number for CWU bullying and Harassment line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is 0800 107 1909 and if the managers does not improve their behaviour put in a grievance as soon as possible because this type of behaviour from managers as happened before at other offices do not wait until it is too late managers should not be allowed to get away with this type of behaviour.

[norbert]

If you feel you can speak to him about it. I'd try this first.

If you still think things haven't improved, ask another manager or colleague for a H1 form & make a formal complaint. It will be investigated by another manager.

oldest bullies trick in the book - " no sense of humour " - or too sensitive etc

[TrueBlueTerrier]

If he is bollocking you in the office or shouting at you in front of the whole office he has already crossed the line between forceful management and bullying. Contact the Bullying Help line and they will give you some excellent advice.

Managers should not discuss anything of a personal nature, including job related matters, with an individual in the middle of the office, even their own guidance advises them to do this in an office out of earshot from other workers. He is way out of order.
CWU Harassment Helpline 08001071909

Attached is a fact sheet - please read it may help

harrassment.pdf

[Flukester]

I recently new to the Royal Mail, but not to work. In my last profession even gentle persuasion is a form of bullying.
I find if your a newbe your a prime target, but the older hands in the office don't help you out.

[norbert]

If he is bollocking you in the office or shouting at you in front of the whole office he has already crossed the line between forceful management and bullying. Contact the Bullying Help line and they will give you some excellent advice.

Managers should not discuss anything of a personal nature, including job related matters, with an individual in the middle of the office, even their own guidance advises them to do this in an office out of earshot from other workers. He is way out of order.
CWU Harassment Helpline 08001071909

Attached is a fact sheet - please read it may help

harrassment.pdf

hang on a second - is there something under European law they've got to give you a decent contract , 8 weeks then if they finish you , they've got to give you notice , then the next chance of getting rid of you is on the 12 th week ? - I think ? RM would have to pay a introduction fee to that agency . Something - quell surprise - sounds fishy

and I think this is what this is all about - and / or that manager is scared of trouble / politics from his superiors

[Pinky 1]

I recently new to the Royal Mail, but not to work. In my last profession even gentle persuasion is a form of bullying.
I find if your a newbe your a prime target, but the older hands in the office don't help you out.

Gotta disagree with you there mate. Any bullying of "newbe's", or especially cadets, is nipped in the bud early in our place, wether it is being done by management or co-workers. We have no need for the bullying or harrassment line, we sort things out ourselves, if you know what i mean.
And it tends to be the older hands that look after things.

[lekker]

I recently new to the Royal Mail, but not to work. In my last profession even gentle persuasion is a form of bullying.
I find if your a newbe your a prime target, but the older hands in the office don't help you out.

I disagree with that too mate. We do not let managers take advantage of the newbies although a lot of them try it and the senior blokes tend to look out for them. One of the problems is that they often don't say anything being frightened of the managers. You have a union, if you have a problem - see the rep.

[brothermagrew]

And as has been previously said if you are going to go down the harassment hotline avenue, then for goodness sake ensure you use the CWU Harassment Hotline and not the RM one providing of course that you are in the CWU.