Bullying? at work

[Spacebat]

My line manager is very loud and a bit shouty at times. She’s like this to everyone but has recently become a bit worse to me and perhaps one or two other people in particular. She also never gets my name right. It’s unusual but so is hers.

An example is; when I’m doing my work, she will suddenly appear in front of the section I’m working in along with several other people and shout “(a different version of my name) you’re not making your target. Why do I always have to remind you?” And then stalks off muttering to herself.

As far as I can tell, I am well over the target 70% of the time and it’s a monthly measure.

I get she’s a bit stressed right now due to her getting a new manager herself. But work is becoming very stressful for me because I never know when she’s going to have a mini explosion at me. My anxiety is at an all time high.

What do you think I should do? The other people she shouts at will not want to make waves as they really need this job. I do it as the hours fit well with the kids and it means we can afford extras such as hobbies and clubs. We could manage without although it won’t be fun.

Should I speak to her manager even though they already don’t particularly get on with each other?

Next time, stand up, walk out and put a grievance in. Don't return until after the grievance hearing.

She sounds vile. Do you work in retail? I hate that retail managers often treat staff like this. I worked in retail in my teens/ early 20’s and thought it was normal so put up with it. It’s not! It’s bullying and disgusting. Walk away and like a PP said put a grivience in, write a long and detailed letter and record each incidence.

Before you get up, walk out and put in a grievance - how long have you been there? Do you have a proper contract rather than zero hours?

Yes it is retail. I guess I need to speak to her manager to put in grievance?

Thanks for input. I was wondering if I was making too much of it and also felt bad for her as I know she needs the job too.

Reg
I have a proper contract and have been there two years

I had a supervisor who used to shout. I hauled him down the quietest aisle and told him If you EVER raise your voice to me on the shop floor again we'll be dealing with this in a meeting with HR. Its unprofessional and intimidating and I'm not having it, I don't care whose boss you are.

He stood there with his mouth open in shock for a second then apologised and later told our line manager that I would be good management material. 😂

Sorry, your line manager doesn't know your name??? That's terrible, never mind everything else she's doing!

Definitely put in a grievance. Once you've gone, she'll just do it to someone else and she needs to be stopped.

Can you prepare a response to her for next time she does it? I don’t appreciate being spoken to like that, please do not raise your voice to me. If you have a problem with my work speak to me in private. As far as I am aware I’m reaching my targets so you need to be specific I about what I am not acheiving.
Try to face her down yourself, being unemotional and factual. If this fails or if she responds badly then put in a grievance. Formal grievances can be very hard to manage for the complainant.

I am reading this and just thinking stop. Do not get up and walk out and put a grievance in. Get your company hand book and code of conduct and tell her to stop. Make bullet points about how you feel and what you want to say so you don’t get distracted as if you can speak in private and then say it.

If you work for a retailer remember you work for a brand, she is your line manager and tell her if it doesn’t stop you will take it to her boss.

Now l know that sounds scary but it will help a few things, she will see she needs to change (hopefully) and that you are willing to stand up for yourself, this might make her respect you more. If it doesn’t change go over her head, but tell her that is what you are going to do. It might save you all the drama of a grievance.

I hate weak people who bully other, be brave you know you are, even if you don’t feel it you are, you will feel a whole lot better. I promise once you have said stop once it gets easier.

Thanks to everyone who replied! I think I’ll try talking to her first and see how it goes.

In my experience, telling her how you feel just gives them more ammo. They are really not interested in how you are feeling.

I would either do as someone else suggested and get up next time she does it and tell her calmly and confidently that you should not be spoken to that way and your next stop will be HR if she doesn’t stop it.

Alternatively, ignore her if she gets your name wrong. It’ll Drive her nuts but you can smile sweetly and say ‘oh I didn’t realise you were talking to me because that’s not my name.’