Bullying and Harassment

[Sammy:o)]

This will probably seem a familiar situation to many at Royal Mail; there is a general feeling of poor treatment by managers, an unachievable workload and consequently, very low morale. I feel that the situation is becoming worse all the time in our office, especially as we are understaffed by about 30 people and they seem in no hurry to replace them!
On a personal level, I believe that the actions of my line manager are bullying and harassing: He never follows up important questions posed in wtl; such as, why is lapsing being introduced when we cannot complete deliveries on time (it is still in place now). I have been prep tested and passed and have, since the begining of the year, complained that I cannot get done on time; largely due to time on ips sorting-which can be between 1hr45-2 hrs-distance to cycle out(20-25mins) and that the delivery is closer to 4hrs long, not 3 1/2! My manager has ignored me and not offered a solution or any support . If I cut off, it is left in the frame the following day, without explanation. He does not listen when I exlain why I am cutting off or, will need to claim o/t if I complete, instead he talks over me and says I should be able to finish and even told me I could not claim o/t on a mon/tues as 'they are lighter days and you should be done on time'. He is dismissive and undermining and its starting to get me down . I recently had an argument with him-over cutting off- and I ended up walking off in tears. I did write a letter to find out why I had not had my delivery tested, amongst other things and have had no response, this was 2 months a go. There is a lot more I could put down here, but I won't go on.

I would appreciate some useful advice and comments ; on whether raising a grievance is the right way forward? I have spoken to the DOM briefly and am due to see him tmrw .

[belle smith]

the mail (cut off's) from the previous day the managers have recorded the USO fail yeah otherwise very naughty.
keep a record of when that happens but by all means put in an H1 (greivance) form.

[clashcityrocker]

Put everything in writing.
Get your rep to ask the questions of him as well.
If no joy, go over their heads.
And make sure you have a supply of grievance forms

[Debbie]

sounds so much like our office. why do we keep putting up with it.
I come on here everyday and read most of the post and comments and can see a pattern. we keep moaning about the things we knew where happening and would get worse, why oh why as humans beings do we all keep putting up with it. come on posties and post gals , we need to pull our socks up and fight back. cannot do it alone, need to work as a team. trouble is we dont anymore.

[cantbelieveit's...]

sounds so much like our office. why do we keep putting up with it.
I come on here everyday and read most of the post and comments and can see a pattern. we keep moaning about the things we knew where happening and would get worse, why oh why as humans beings do we all keep putting up with it. come on posties and post gals , we need to pull our socks up and fight back. cannot do it alone, need to work as a team. trouble is we dont anymore.

We are our own worst enermies sometimes!!

[Judgee]

Definitely would raise a grievence. If you are in the union get your rep involved. If he/she doesn't seem keen to help [always a possibility] get your area union rep involved. Make a note of eveything, time you start, finish etc and try and make sure you always have someone with you whenever you have conversations with management about all this. Someone reliable that will stand up as a witness.

If you are not in the union, you should still try and get a reliable work mate to come with you to any meetings. It will be good moral support but more impotantly the management will be far less likely to try and pull a fast one.

Lastly don't forget there is a RM bullying helpline, don't have the number to hand. think it may be in the courier. Use it if you need to that's what its there for!

The management rely far too strongly on bullyboy tactics to get people to work for nothing. It seems intimidation is the only thing they teach managers well. Don't be a victim, you have rights so stand your ground!

[Sammy:o)]

Thanks for all the helpful advice everyone Have spoken to Harassment helpline and I believe they may be encouraged to put people off harassment and go down grievance route (I'm sure this would be different if blatent sexual or some other more obvious form). I believe it is a mixture of both(grievance and harassment), anyway, I have support of union and will be making a complaint!

Yes , we definitely have to make a stand and Its not an easy process but, hopefully it will make a difference.

[clashcityrocker]

Make sure at every stage you get a clear time frame for them to act.