If i am making a complaint about bullying in work can i refuse to go in until it is investigated ?

[wheretogofromhere]

Basically work in a very small team and i am suffering terrible bullying. I have compiled a full account of all incidents but am i allowed to say in my letter to my line manager that i feel i cannot return to work until the incidents have been investigated ?
I am suffering extremely high levels of stress and anxiety.
I feel by returning to work i am being / will be blamed for doing something i haven't done.

[ManifestingMingeWhispersAlone]

You could ask your GP to sign you off with work related stress?

[Littleredsquirrel]

You can't just refuse to work. You can speak to HR and explain that you would prefer to be moved or else you could be signed off if its genuinely causing you stress and anxiety which it clearly is.

You need to submit a formal grievance and get it dealt with properly.

[wheretogofromhere]

Thanks . If i get signed off they dont pay sick pay :(
I can't be moved as we are only a small team of 5. I am submitting a formal grievance sending in the account of incidents but i am very worried about returning. Its hard to say on here without giving away the type of job i am doing but i had such a serious incident happen yesterday that for the interests of the company and myself i feel i cannot return to work.
I thought it might not be allowed to refuse to go in. Just doesn't seem fair that i have to be off sick and not get my salary due to this.
I am doing my best to secure another job but i need time.

[Littleredsquirrel]

How long have you been employed there? What sort of bullying is it? You may well have a claim. Pm me if you want to discuss more.

If you won't get paid (although you will be entitled to SSP once you've been off for four days) then I would approach the manager first thing and submit the grievance and make it very clear that the situation has caused your stress and anxiety. They may well send you home on paid leave.

[rosemount]

Just signing in to offer support. I have been through this and it's horrible. I walked away. It is really hard to get justice, I found.

Don't employers all have to pay sick pay? I'm genuinely surprised they don't.

[Littleredsquirrel]

No sick pay is a contractual perk. SSP is payable though after four days.

[wheretogofromhere]

Have pmd you LRS thanks.
Rosemount i really want to walk away i just really need a job to walk to but i cannot take anymore so i may have no choice. Sorry to hear you have gone through this to its just the most difficult thing to endure.

[rosemount]

If it makes you feel any better people are often bullied due to the fact they are better at the job, more popular,more attractive etc etc. in other words it's a jealousy issue and you are a threat. Sorry again. X

[Polpotsbabyteeth]

Grown ups don't tell each other that other people bully because they are jealous, do they? I thought you only said that to children? It's not actually remotely true. Or helpful.
Bullying occurs for only a couple of reasons - a bully is employed and bullying is tolerated by the organisation.

I would tell your manager your working situation is intolerable, you're going to submit a grievance and hope they take pity.

I manage a business that doesn't pay sick pay. They don't bend the rules for anyone sadly.

Good luck. Being bullied is horrible and should NOT be tolerated.

[rosemount]

Well, I am a grown up, I was bullied, and it was a jealousy issue. Don't want to hijack the thread, though. Agree bullies are tolerated--in the main because it's so hard to get rid, sadly.

[Furfecksake]

I feel your pain, I'm just about to go back into a post reporting in to my bullying line manager - while I've a lot of support from senior management, I still need to go back and prove the relationship has "broken down" which is apparently easier to evidence less perjorative than bullying in and of itself. It's not easy by any means. Is there a Dignity at Work type of policy, that would outline how they should work with you while issues are investigated but I'd be surprised if they would give you paid leave while they investigate because investigations can be long, drawn out affairs.

[BrownSauceSandwich]

Your employer may not pay sick leave but, if you're being made ill by this situation, you should consider suing your employer for workplace injury. You definitely need some legal advice.

[Putthatbookdown]

I was in this situation and you can pm me any time
Action plan
1 Submit a grievance -you must do this by law Remind your employer they have a duty of care towards you
Keep polite and stick to the point eg at 10 am on 05/09/2013 X yelled at me Give examples and how it made you feel (ie it is putting you off your job Keep all communications in wrting

1. See your GP- in the meantime take care of yourself eat drink sensiby and try to relax Do things you love/enjoy
2. Lodge a complaint with an employment solicitor this is because any claims have a TIME LIMIT usually 3 months from the time you complain

4 Be prepared I do not want to frighten you but bullying can lead to all sorts of things as essentially management have lost control
5 But if the bullying is making yoiu ill then you might have a good claim for Constructive Dismissal so remain postive
6.Could the bullying be due to your age gender or disability?
7.Bullies are cowards This is a bit strange cos though it is the bullies who are cowards it is often the victim that resigns etc so the victim is made to look weak when this is not the case at all It is just that the bully uses power at that time HOWEVER, DO NOT CONFRONT THE BULLY ALONE

1. always go above the bully

[Hazzer123]

Totally sympathise with you, I also work in a small team and our manager is bullying, controlling and extremely unprofessional! We have all logged a grievance against her to try and somehow resolve the matter. However, she has now taken herself off on the sick with stress - unbelievable!!! Whilst we all cover her work! At least we don't have to put up with her, for now! We are just all hoping she doesn't come back!!!! But can't believe that morally, she can sit at home claiming SSP off a small charity run business knowing what she has done, makes you wonder how people can sleep at night! Anyway, hope your ok.