AIBU to refuse to work with these colleagues again

[EmeraldIsle100]

I have recently been cleared of a bullying and harassment charge at work. The allegations were brought by 2 colleagues who just would not do a day's work which meant that I had to do the work of 3 people. Despite repeatedly bringing the issues to the attention of my line manager for over 3.5 years nothing was done and the stress that it caused me was immense. I had trouble sleeping and ended up on anxiety medication. Every aspect of my life sufferred included my relationship with my husband and my children.

I have just been notified of the outcome and although I have not yet met with HR to get a full overview of the outcome I do know that the Panel recognised the stress that I was placed under. I intend on saying that I will refuse to work with these colleagues again.

Do you think that I am justified in refusing to work with these colleagues on the grounds that I spent over 3 years training and mentoring them to no avail. I don't know how this will go down but I think I should stick to my guns.

I would very much appreciate your views. Thanks very much.

I was asking because a relative who's a civil service went through a similar situation. Public sector organisations have an appalling way of dealing with situations like yours, very much automatically guilty and even when shown there's no bullying there's no decent way forward against the false accusations. I would hope that you could say you don't wish to work with these people again but I fear you may go unheard. Good luck

I would raise a grievance against them stating they have made false accusations and placed you under undue stress as a result.

Paul, thanks so much for the flowers, that was really nice of you. Public sector organisations are a complete joke. I don't doubt that your relative was treated very badly. My sister was treated the same in the civil service. She left in the end and it was the best thing she ever did.

I finally got to read the whole report today and even though I was cleared of the allegations against me the report stated that the witnesses said that my management skills were lacking and that I had behaved inappropriately. The Panel recommended that I avail of further training. The witnesses they interviewed were the two members of staff who did no work and the line manager who ignored the problem so they obviously told the Panel that I was a complete psycho.

The Panel recommended mediation with the complainants and I was prepared to go along with it because quite frankly I am a single parent of two teenagers and I am responsible for every bill that comes into the house and I really badly need this job.

When I met with my boss today he told me that I would be reporting directly to him and that I would have nothing to do with my old line manager. He told me that the members of staff who complained are no longer in the Unit that I was in and are now a shared resource in the department which means that they basically have no designated roles. The choice was taken out of my hands and I was so happy that I didn't have to pretend to want to engage in mediation or to openly state that I wouldn't work with them.

I am still mulling over whether or not to take a grievance against my old line manager and bullying and harassment cases against the complainants but I will think very carefully about it. I would love more than anything to do it but I have to seriously think about my mental health. I will make a decision soon. Part of me wants to challenge the negative things that they told the Panel which will always be on record but the other part of me wants to just enjoy the peace. I have the right of appeal too but ... Maybe I will write a letter saying I disagree with the comments but will take no action on the grounds that the whole thing has hijacked me for 4.5 years and affected my health.

I have had such a crap time in work for so long and this afternoon when I heard that I would have nothing to do with any of them I was so happy. I focussed on my work properly for the first time in ages and flew through the work.

The atmosphere in our department was so funny today. The news must have got out quick and it was crazy. Some people were huddled in offices whispering i.e. the ones that hate my guts and the rest were being really supportive but quietly so in case anyone heard.

I think the complainants are appealing but all I can say is bring it on!

So so sorry for this long post but I just needed to get it off my chest and you guys happened to be there. Thanks so much for posting and telling me about your experiences. I better go now!!!