AIBU to take a colleague complaint further after no manager action?

[UnprofessionalColleague]

A while ago I had a run in with one of my work colleagues. They are a bit senior to me, and they acted in a very unprofessional way with both myself and towards the customers e.g. one of the things they shouted at me was "I don't give a f*ck about the customers". We both work in a role with a high level of customer interaction.

Because of this and other awful behaviour, for the first time in my whole career, I made a complaint about them. I then was told off record by other colleagues that other complaints had been made about them, and many from the customers who said this colleague was rude and they were taking their business elsewhere.

The manager in charge has not followed up on my complaint and it has been 3 weeks. I saw them in the lift at work and they told me that my colleagues version of events was completely different to mine, and more implicated me as the one in the wrong. That it was my word against theirs. I don't necessarily expect the manager to take my side, but if you have no complaints against me, and multiple against them, then surely you would think that they have a problem on their hands?

Not sure how to handle this. It has actually made me want to leave the company and I dread going in now. I feel like it has been brushed under the carpet. Also, I have seen this colleague since and they just look through me and totally ignore me. This is incredibly childish.

I think I am going to look for another job as I don't want to work for a company where unprofessionalism towards colleagues and customers is not dealt with, and the atmosphere is awful now.

AIBU - let it go, get on with your job.
YANBU - yes, take it further, this is a hill to die on

If others have put in reports about the behaviour and the person is still there and continuing the behaviour - what do you intend to do to make it change?
The company is enabling this behaviour and work culture for some reason

Unless I adored my job and couldn't dream of being anywhere else ever- I would start looking.

Either you accept that this is the reality of working there and put up with it, or you walk.

'Taking it further' will not help you.

they told me that my colleagues version of events was completely different to mine, and more implicated me as the one in the wrong. That it was my word against theirs. I don't necessarily expect the manager to take my side, but if you have no complaints against me, and multiple against them, then surely you would think that they have a problem on their hands?

No, this wouldn't be a fair way to deal with it as all/any colleagues could then make unwitnessed/unfounded allegations against that person and be believed.

No-one should be talking in lifts though.

Have you followed up your original complaint to your manager via email, or left left it 3 weeks and not prompted them?

Also, ignoring you wherever possible (unless it directly affects work) is sensible until this whole thing concludes.

So, as a manager, if you get multiple complaints about a person, you would take each individually, and not think “hmm, this person is causing quite a lot of upset”, and not pull them up on it?

Then no one would ever be held accountable, surely?

Once I’ve got my summer holiday out the way I will be looking for another job, yes.

I think this has been handled really badly. I’ve never had a cross word with anyone before. Ever.

I think so as they haven’t adjusted their behaviour at all.

Customers can be difficult, but I’d never shout and swear about them. If you do, you are clearly in the wrong job. It’s called professionalism.

That would depend on whether evidence was also provided to support the claims made.

OK so not a lot I can do then.

I’m just not going to engage with this person. I don’t work directly with them, they were just covering at the time.

If they’re happy with their employee, let them. You go to work, do your best, get paid, end of.
In an emotionally mature world you’d have a point. As it stands, your colleague will probably get a promotion to make it someone else’s problem. And the grass isn’t always greener somewhere else. I’ve had enough jobs to know that by now.

I agree. I’ve put so much effort into this job and spent so many hours on it out of work.

Now I’m just going to go in, do it, get out.

I will be looking elsewhere though. I’ve been there a year and the politics and bitching is off the scale.

They brought it up with me. I asked for a meeting, but none was forthcoming. I think the thought that 45 seconds in the lift was his chance to have a mini meeting.

A number of complaints, especially with a similar theme should warrant a discussion with the accused. This discussion should be private and confidential. Therefore, it wouldn't warrant you being informed that it has or is to take place.

Taking disciplinary actions should involve some element of evidence beyond just what a few colleagues have reported. It enters the realm of legality and you have to be very careful you don't, as a manager, get accused of discrimination.