Hi IM's
I've been battling Workplace Bullying for over 6 months.
Every fact sheet I have read on Fair Work, Work Safe, is happening. All boxes ticked.
I've made written complaints, the persons have been warned. It dies down then reemerges, repeats in cycles.
Nothing is ever done. Or documented.
Apart from my correspondence on the matters.
It's now at the stage where the bullying is also through correspondence to my customers and my networks.
So on top of the immense stress and pressure within my workplace (which I have painstakingly managed = anxiety and depression that I just deal with), now my reputation (long standing corporate one) is being tarnished, underhandedly.
My predecessors (there are many - have ALL left due to nervous breakdowns, workcover related stress) All due to the same bullying and subsequent stress caused by the same 'group' of bullies. They are well known to management who advise me that I just have to manage it. These people also bully & exclude other staff members who some are edging on elderly and have resorted to medication to be able to come to work.
I'm feeling 'almost' broken but I can't resign. I will not find another job of my salary to support my family and am in a specialty field, plus I'm in no frame of mind or confidence to even try.
Given the above, when I'm feeling strong (which is normally most of the time) I feel I need to make a stand. For me, for everyone affected.
My marriage is suffering, I'm angry all the time at home (because I have to be strong at work). The situation is slowly but surely devastating every part of my life.
I'm a survivor, not a victim, and I'd like to keep it that way.
Can anyone please point me in the right direction or help in some way?
Thank you.
Please no negative comments.
Workplace Bullying/Harrassment
Workplace Bullying/Harrassment
Posted in:
Life Lessons
7 Replies
If the company won't do anything take it further! Go to the union! Go to fair work if you have to! As long as you have documented evidence of all communications/complaints then take it further! The union would be a great place to start. They will advocate for you and will be able to give you more specific info on what action you can take :)
In my experience, you'll get nowhere with the new anti bullying legislation except a whole other level of headache, bureaucracy and delay tactics. I supported someone in this process and they made her sit across the table from her bully, then she was made redundant before sanctions could be applied. The whole process took months and it traumatised her. Since the time it's been going, there have been no more than 2 orders to stop the bullying. Unions are often not much better either.
Hi Anon - You will find many resources on the Banish Bullying At Work Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/DrSophieHenshaw2/ and if you read this article called "Is Your Job Making You Cry? Here's 5 things you can do" it will give you some useful information: http://www.freespiritedme.com/is-your-job-making-you-cry-heres-what-you-...
Please keep informed and find out what your options are. From the simple description above, I would advise you to leave before you become an emotional paraplegic - it's only a matter of time. There are so many better options in the world! Stay in touch as I am preparing an online course about how to walk away from work stress...
Good luck!
Sofie, I am very, very interested in your online course. I would like to be able to help others to try and avoid what I had to go through. Can you contact me please?
I can totally understand what you are going through. This has happened to me and I chose to take it further. It was a long, long process. Took over 4 years from start to finish. It has left me mentally and emotionally numb. The owner of the business I worked for was a bully and a thug to all other workers even to the point of physically assaulting them. I was the general manager who often stood up against him to the other workers. Having worked in a male dominate industry for more than 30 years, I had always been able to hold my own and stand up for others. However, this employer knew he could not bully me so he constantly made many sexual advances and inappropriate behaviour towards me. Basically, he could not keep his hands to himself and would grope me and proposition me in the most disgusting way. This left me with no alternative but to walk out. I went down the path of Fair Work, Human Rights, Solicitors, Federal Court, basically the whole nine yards. I ended up on Work Cover and have just recently received a settlement for which work cover are pursuing my ex-employer for costs and reimbursements as they have found him 100% at fault. Keep records, find witnesses, get affidavits from others treated the same way. Most importantly, stay strong. There is a business in Victoria called A whole New Approach and they helped me with the initial process.
Get onto Zero Bullying Facebook page and speak to Oscar. I've recently formally complained about my female boss is a huge franchisee run Australia wide store. Mediation only made it worse so I'm now off on sick leave and completed a work cover claim and obtained a certificate of capacity. All reports say most claims don't get followed through as its too hard or not worth it but I'm fighting. You go to work to do a job. Bullying is not on.
Funny thing is I was talking to a guy I use to work for today, runs a trucking company. Not once did any of those blokes treat me with the disrespect this nasty bitter woman boss has.
Cannot help with advice but sending you hugs. I am currently dealing with similar and it is so hard to keep moving every day with your head high. Some adults just never grow up.