We have been experiencing problems with our manager. This has been documented and is being investigated by HR and a Senior Manager. The Senior Manager has been very supportive but unfortunately is currently on leave.
Today my colleague was called in to a meeting with the 'problem' manager and his manager. The purpose of the meeting was to air the problems and to try and find a solution. I am supposed to be having a meeting as well later this week. I expressed my concerns prior to the start of my colleagues meeting. I specifically asked if i needed to have HR in, i was told it wasn't necessary. I was quite emotional as at present i have a close relative who is dying in hospital. My manager and his boss (the 2 people calling the meeting) are aware as i had to leave work early yesterday as we thought the passing was imminent.
My colleague was upbeat prior to the meeting and went in completely open-minded. After 25 minutes she left the meeting in floods of tears. Apparently it was a 'he said' 'she said' type of meeting. Our concerns which we thought had been raised confidentially had obviously been passed on. My colleague told the 2 managers that she wanted the meeting to end as they had had time to prepare and she hadn't. She was told that 'no' the meeting should continue as they needed to solve the issue. She told them that she felt bullied and that they were putting her into a position where she would have to resign. She then left the meeting.
We contacted HR. The person we spoke to was well aware of the issues we have with this manager and was sympathetic. She has told us that she will be contacting the Senior Managers, Boss (we are now getting quite high up) to escalate this. We know that this conversation has taken place and that there will be a phone call made this evening to one of these managers. She has also suggested that we try and keep away from these 2 managers. We are to call her tomorrow for an update.
My concern is that we are now in an irrepairable situation. Are we right to feel that my colleague was correct in that it was a bullying type of situation. What do i do if i am called in to a similar meeting, am i OK to ask that i am given some emotional space whilst i deal with the imminent death of my MIL. Am i also OK to request HR be involved in any meeting? How can i try and repair this situation.
Any advice appreciated