Bullying & Harassment

[GRS]

Does anyone have any experience of using the Bullying & Harassment process. There is a particularly nasty guy in my office and without going in to the whole topic I am slightly worried at how a complaint is dealt with. What makes it more difficult is that many including the DOM are scared of him and often bow and scrape to keep him happy. I’m worried that if I raise my complaint it will be swept under the carpet or possibly see me moved out of the office rather than deal with him. Has anyone found the whole process properly set up or is it the usual chaos and incompetence that surrounds RM. It’s a horrible situation to be in, I need him dealt with as it’s affecting my whole life but at the same time don’t have any real faith in RM to deal with it properly. Before anyone mentions it I have been keeping a diary for the last year even though this has been going on for longer than that.

[cobrakai]

From experience the only way RM takes complaints seriously is if you go on sick. Usually bullies are allowed free reign by management and people that just turn a blind eye.

If it’s affecting day to day life go to the doctor and get a sick note for stress. Then contact Sheffield and tell them why, it’s amazing how the managers suddenly found time to investigate a bullying case in my office after that. Rm seems to be a magnet for the dregs of society unfortunately chin up mate hope it gets sorted out.

[redneck]

As above, go on the sick claiming work related stress, anxiety, insomnia due to bullying and harassment. Phone in daily and wait for them to bring you in for a chat. It's the only way anything will be done about it. There's absolutely no shame in doing that, many many people suffer from work related stress at some time in their working careers even though at times they never think they will. Sometimes your own work colleagues can be the trigger, rather than the commonly held view that it is always a superior.

[Sugar]

Does anyone have any experience of using the Bullying & Harassment process. There is a particularly nasty guy in my office and without going in to the whole topic I am slightly worried at how a complaint is dealt with. What makes it more difficult is that many including the DOM are scared of him and often bow and scrape to keep him happy. I’m worried that if I raise my complaint it will be swept under the carpet or possibly see me moved out of the office rather than deal with him. Has anyone found the whole process properly set up or is it the usual chaos and incompetence that surrounds RM. It’s a horrible situation to be in, I need him dealt with as it’s affecting my whole life but at the same time don’t have any real faith in RM to deal with it properly. Before anyone mentions it I have been keeping a diary for the last year even though this has been going on for longer than that.

Written down in a diary as much evidence as possible. The more the better because they will try to fob you off either through stalling, ignoring or just ignoring anything you say. The more evidence the better and if you have some trusted work mates that can and will back you up that will help a lot.

[burtons]

Hi grs, sorry to hear your in this situation.sound advice from the above posts.ive worked in a office where there was a particularly nasty bully.ive worked in a few offices over the years. but I've only come across it once.apparently it had being going on for years but managers turned a blind eye and staff probably to afraid to put a complaint in.i find it shocking that it was allowed to continue.however this person targeted the wrong person ,a work colleague of mine.he stood up for himself it's the only way... eventually the bully was suspended why a investigation was carried out.the outcome was summary dismissal.a real suprise to the whole office.so basically things can be done about it .I hope it works out for you, nobody should have to put up with it.all the best

[Norfolk 'N' Chance]

Whilst I have deep sympathy for the original poster, in that bullying should not be tolerated, i was rather taken aback by one of the follow on statements the replies....

"Rm seems to be a magnet for the dregs of society unfortunately"

I'm desperately seeking a part time role as the job is a great fit for me at my time of life and my local DO is so close its a no brainer. Ive applied but am waiting to hear back.

Im no genius by any means but I have racked up lots of skills and accomplishments over the years, I have management experience as well as sound engineering and safety qualifications. However I certainly wouldnt put myself into the dregs of society camp!

Now I admit I am in the countryside and its probably a lot different to inner cities, but is it really a case that the average RM attracts the people that couldnt get a job anywhere else? - The posters on here certainly dont give that impression in my opinion?

[POSTMAN]

What makes it more difficult is that many including the DOM are scared of him and often bow and scrape to keep him happy.

If that is the case then would you then not have a lot of backup if you started the ball rolling, perhaps get an investigation going.
Things need to be done especially if he's riding roughshod over management.

[cpsteve]

Ive seen it happen they try and sweep it under the carpet move you if you want to be moved the bullies get way with it ive not seen one sacked yet. Managers will forget anything you tell them so get a witness to go into the office with you and put it in writing if you make any complaint, for some reason managers dont want to deal with bullies the amount of people off with stress in the stress free job we do tells you how rife it is. Good luck standing up to bullies is the only way we can rid the company of them.

[secluder]

Whilst I have deep sympathy for the original poster, in that bullying should not be tolerated, i was rather taken aback by one of the follow on statements the replies....

"Rm seems to be a magnet for the dregs of society unfortunately"

I'm desperately seeking a part time role as the job is a great fit for me at my time of life and my local DO is so close its a no brainer. Ive applied but am waiting to hear back.

Im no genius by any means but I have racked up lots of skills and accomplishments over the years, I have management experience as well as sound engineering and safety qualifications. However I certainly wouldnt put myself into the dregs of society camp!

Now I admit I am in the countryside and its probably a lot different to inner cities, but is it really a case that the average RM attracts the people that couldnt get a job anywhere else? - The posters on here certainly dont give that impression in my opinion?

I’ve worked in various occupations over the years and have yet to come across anything that resembles working within a Royal Mail delivery office. Sexism, racism, bullying (mostly by management) and anything in between. Obviously that’s just my experience within a single delivery office.

[PostmanBitesDog]

I'm reminded of this article from the Financial Mail on Sunday's Alex Lawson from April 24th, 2021:

ThisIsMoney ~ Royal Mail Boss Simon Thompson Vows to Root Out Bullying: He Admits Postal Service Has a Problem and Launches Drive to Heal the 'Scars' of the Past

Thompson appealed to staff to come forward with information about the root causes of bullying within the organisation. Employee complaints posted on social media allege postmen and women have felt pressured to take on extra work, while managers have been too focused on taking calls and completing administrative tasks to lead their teams. Management pressure to hit budgets is said to have been unfairly concentrated on the 90,000 postal delivery staff.

What happened since? Did his subordinates misread his memo?

"The CEO wants us to 'Raise Up' the bullying."

[fb1969]

The CEO himself is now sending letters to our home telling us how we must do more and more. Applying pressure to the workforce when they aren't even at work could be seen as a type of bullying.

Not that RM or the CWU actually give a s**t about bullying.

[PostmanBitesDog]

I'm reminded of this article from the Financial Mail on Sunday's Alex Lawson from April 24th, 2021:

ThisIsMoney ~ Royal Mail Boss Simon Thompson Vows to Root Out Bullying: He Admits Postal Service Has a Problem and Launches Drive to Heal the 'Scars' of the Past

I didn't see this comment under the article until now:

DM.jpg

Certainly gave me a chuckle.