To ask how I can help a ex-colleague who's being bullied when I don't work there any more

[GunpowderGelatine]

I recently left the NHS, in part due to a bullying culture. I didn't have it nearly as bad as a colleague though, who is messaging me today practically on the point of a breakdown because of the bullying. He's looked into the grievance procedure and it's basically "speak to your line manager" - but that's who's doing the bullying! There is a 'guardian' who he can speak to who's meant to be impartial but this guardian is buddies with line manager. The next person on the ladder is the CEO. He feels helpless. Anyone in HR know how I can somehow help him, despite no longer working there? I still haven't filled out my leavers questionnaire but I don't know what gets done with those.

Surely your ex-colleague ought to be trying to move into a role with a better quality hierarchy? He won’t change his current bosses.

He's tried user, the roles are few and far between and I'm pretty sure the boss has put a kaibosh on it whenever he's gone for another role. She is awful to him but doesn't want them to leave - I think she gets a kick out of being awful to him.

Tell him to write everything down, without filtering, but factually, and explaining how it makes him feel. Then go to HR and talk them through it, and ask their advice as to what he should do next. If they can settle it informally, then good - if not, the next step is a grievance. But - grievances are painful processes, so he needs to be prepared for challenging responses. That's the process - what do you think he could do to protect himself against the mental damage this is causing him? Is there an employee helpline? Access to counselling? It's good that you are able to support him - so much of this goes on and it's miserable.

The reality is he either goes to the CEO and hopes that will resolve the problem (it won't because if the manager and guardian get reprimanded they'll resent him and make things awkward and uncomfortable for him) or he starts looking for another job. If he won't do either of these things then all you can do is sympathize when he unloads on you. Sorry but there are no easy fixes here.