Bullying and Harassment?

[highbury67]

Hi, I wrote this in the thread of help facebook wrongful dismissal?

I am personally going to be even more careful as a result of who can see ny Facebook or even mentioning at work to people work with as a person I thought I'd could trust used mention by me of non workrelated matter as a way of trying to force me to do what he thought was right and just kept on winding me up. I have defriended him and have been advised to speak to the union. Could I make an issue of it with the union? Also I asked not to work with him but think I mayybe forced to.

I spoke to someone who was a manager at another office I worked at and he suggested to see my shift manager about it. Is that the right thing for me to do? I would like to speak union first if possible. I spoke to my line manager yesterday and he asked me whether I should speak to the relevant person who I am mentioning but I didn't know if that would cause problems. The thing is he is in a clique that worked together at the office I was before and he took it as an insult that I may want not to sit in the same area for breaks as them. He also seems to habit, if he doesn't get his way of talking crap to certain others about the people who he has fallen out with them and they seem to believe him.

What is the best course for me to take? Is it a form of bullying and harassment to try to force someone to take the same viewpoint as him? He said "I was offering advice". Well, if I wanted advice, I would come to him. Its not right for him to expect to offer it when its not asked for.

[5plusbonusball]

That took a bit of reading but 1, don't use fb and 2, it's not school .

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Is it a form of bullying and harassment to try to force someone to take the same viewpoint as him?

On its own in isolation NO.

However, as no one can be forced to accept a certain viewpoint the questions seems moot.

If though you meant he was forthright in his discussion and was unwilling to accept others views. Again I would say No thats not B&H on the face of it.

If, however, he was in your face, had a very aggressive attitude, used expletives and threatened you then yes it could be B&H.

But don't forget listing various things and conditions is not always helpful.. B&H tends not to formulaic its down to perception, what one person considers having a forthright way of communicating could be considered as intimidating by another.

The general rule of thumb for me is the context of the incident and whether I felt bullied or harassed. No one else can decide that only the person suffering it can. Before you make a decision though you could always talk in confidence to HELP on 08000 6888 7777. They are an independent confidential help line set up by RM.

[martini]

I would be careful how tou handle this as you could find that you could be accused of B&H by this person and then get put through a horrible process. Nearly every office has one or more people who are good at giving so called Banter and like the sound of there own voice and management will not or cannot deal with them. However as soon as you try to sort it out yourself this is when the trouble starts. My advice would be to keep a record of every thing that happens and keep away from them just in case they turn on you. Its impossible to take them on as the B&H process is terrible. With out explaining too much confidentiality etc. You have to fight for your life if accused and it causes so much stress and is life changing, transfers etc because you cannot work with your accuser. Hope this helps.