Workplace bullying, AIBU to take this further?

[NotExactlyProfessional]

Hi all, I've name changed for this as I don't want anyone connecting the dots with my old posts - this is likely to be very outing if the wrong person reads it!

I'm in professional NHS training, something similar to training as a midwife. For context, we have placements at various healthcare services and teaching in university. Our year are a small group (

This is just fucking APPALLING OP. I think you dealt with the criticisms very well

Your course mates sound well educated and a specialised job. This is not people who left school at 16 to work at t'mill or t'factory floor.

Sorry for social stereotypes but you know what I mean

That's what makes it more surprising to me

Think you're doing the right thing by taking it further

That sounds dreadful. It’s good that you have things documented.

Are you part of a Union? That would probably be my first port of call.

In terms of ongoing professional reputation, it’s helpful to have taken some formal action as then if any attempt to discredit you happens it can be combatted with evidence of the prior behaviour.

This is awful to read.
Yes please make a complaint.
However could you not write a letter from a group of you and all sign it?
Therefore you are all collaborating and uniting making yourselves stronger (anyone who’s been bullied by there people or seen their behaviour)
You could even rally the teachers too?
This has to be stamped out

This sounds awful. I agree that it's time for a formal complaint, and you should use those words in your letter. Make it clear that it's a formal complaint that requires investigation.

You might find that once investigations start, more victims of the bullies come forward with their own evidence.

You sound strong enough to withstand the fallout if the bullies find out it was you that lodged the complaint. But make sure you have support around you inside classes, at placements and outside of work.

Definitely it needs to be reportes, at a minimum some of these people clearly lack the maturity to work in a people-facing role. Is it possible for you to ask several of the others to sign your letter? If you had say ten signatures backing up the hearsay items then it might help the course taking it seriously as well as all of you feeling that you aren't alone. You will need to be specific about which of the other students have been involved in which bullying activities.

You absolutely have to report this and make sure it is taken further. If teaching/ supervising staff won't pursue the complaint then take it higher. Do you have union membership as students? This is a good place to go for advice on how to handle this within your own profession.

Ask other students who have been victims to write their own experiences down and go as a group to formally complain. People like this cannot be allowed to have any position of responsibility in health are, think of the damage they will do to others.

Good luck OP.

How old are these people?

It’s outrageous whatever the age but they’re talking like children in a high school. Whatever happens, someone needs to take a stand against this group of bullies, it’s absolutely bullying and needs to brought up.

This is beyond appalling. One of the most shocking things I've read on MN.

Absolutely make a formal complaint. Could you get the others being bullied to join you and you do it as a group complaint? That will make it all the more powerful.

This post makes me so so sad for humanity

Can all of you put in formal complaints, with individual personal accounts (so there's no hearsay) and all put with one covering letter outlining the general situation. Then there is a very comprehensive log for investigation

You don't need these people's validation, and they won't change; I know I'll be in the minority here, but I would just keep my head down and carry on.

@HappyGoldfinch People keeping their head down and carrying on is what these people rely on to get away with it.
These people are going to be managing junior staff in less than a year, would you want one of these bullies managing your relative or friend when there was a chance to stop them in their tracks? Just think how much the NHS will save in grievance procedures in future if this is reported now.

This sounds like a collective, concerted and ingrained bullying campaign. This needs to be rooted out, and I agree with PP’s to make your own collective complaint to whoever is responsible for the welfare of the students.

Thank you everyone, this is so helpful. It’s almost become normal to experience this in the course context, so that I wasn’t sure if I was overreacting or making a drama out of nothing. It really helps to have some external opinions.

I think I’ll approach the others who have witnessed or been subject to this, and see if they’ll put their names to a collective letter (they’re very nervous and I think that’s a better bet than asking them to write their own, at least just now). I don’t have a lot of hope that the course will be willing or able to act, but I feel I have to try, alone if needs be. I don’t exactly have anything to lose by incurring the wrath of the group if they find out - they already hate me!

@caravanette - it is a very specialist and competitive course, everyone has at least one degree and we need many years of experience in a semi-professional role before it’s possible to gain a place. People range from late 20s to early 30s. I’m so disappointed to have encountered such spite and unpleasantness in a group of people selected, in part, for their wish to help others and support vulnerable people.

How awful. I am constantly saddened and angered about how awful people can be ... especially grown ups who should know better!

Please report it. All of it. In detail like you've done here.

OP I think I can guess which course this is and I urge you to please report it. These people shouldn’t be let loose on vulnerable patients and none of your course mates deserve this kind of treatment. You shouldnt have to carry the burden of this, take it to the course coordinators. I can assure you they’ll have seen something similar before. Disgusting behaviour

This sounds similar to the current training pathway for my role. The OP was shocking to read - there shouldn't be any room for these kinds of behaviours in a professional workplace.

I think you should try to get support from everywhere and anywhere that's relevant:
Your peers
Staff providing the training
Your supervisor / mentor
Your organisation at a higher lever
Group overseeing the training at a national level
Your professional body

Good luck.

Bloody hell, that's awful. Group letter sounds good

Bloody hell that's appalling. Unfortunately I've suffered this before in the NHS many a time.
The last time it happened I was menopausal, really menopausal, I got one of them in a room alone, stuck my finger in her face and said you fuck off, fuck right off...or else.
She never bothered me again, ever. it was not the finest moment in my life but I'd absolutely had enough.

And yes.....take it further, report them all the way up.

I'd be recording all the sessions where this sort of thing happens. and giving a copy to the head of the course/HR/press. Someone is bound to talk an interest.

I worked in the NHS for six horrible months and I've never seen bullying like it. After I left a former colleague asked me to speak on her behalf which I was happy to do as she'd been treated appallingly. I submitted a detailed report and the bastards never even opened the email.

I wish you well op but it's embedded in NHS culture I think.

Good luck x