constructive dismissal, employment lawyers please

[giggly]

I have worked in my current role for 8 years, with no real problems. New boss is nasty, intimadating, and when I raised managing my time for work tasks, was told to do it at home if I could not fit it into my weekly hours. She has picked on various members of staff, and now it is my turn. She has accused me of all sorts and has denied having previous conversations with myself. I have just gone off sick with occupational stress due to her and I can see no way to go back. There is no option of moving within the organisation as our jobs are specialised. I am due to see my union, however they are usally pretty useless. I was wondering what are the grounds for constructive dismissal please.

I once successfully claimed constructive dismissal because my existing post disappeared and the alternative they offered me was obviously a less senior role (also result of nasty new boss).

I'm not sure what you can do, if your job spec hasn't changed - I'd start by speaking to a solicitor who practices employment law.

giggly - the first thing you need to do is raise a grievance against your manager. Your company handbook should have all the details, or alternatively, go see your personnel manager/department. You have to put your grievance in writing listing the reasons for it (suggest keeping a diary of all the alleged incidents as well as details of witnesses to them). Your HR manager then has to get back to you and arrange a meeting with you to discuss further.

The manager should then be interviewed and you should be informed in writing of the outcome, i.e. whether the points you raise are being upheld or not.

If you are happy with the outcome and things improve, happy days. If not, or things continue as they are, then you could resign and claim constuctive dismissal.

ACAS are a good place to start.

Thanks folks, I have started the grievance procedure now, although I am not looking forward to it, however I am not letting her away with her behaviour. Cheers for the ACAS link. She even looks nasty!