Toxic workplace - wwyd?

[CamelToeBalls]

I’ve NC for this.

I’d really appreciate advice or opinions on what others would do in this situation.

I will keep it basic as I can;

Toxic workplace, i’ve been subjected to a personal verbal attack (shouting & swearing) in the office as well as bad vibe generally, no inclusion in meetings or social events.

Being ignored by a senior team member who I do/did work directly with, hindering my work.

It’s now escalating to this person bad mouthing me to colleagues who are volatile and are acting up knowing this person doesn’t like me.

I’ve been employed there under a year.

I’ve raised everything with LM but they have a ‘shh now, that’s not the case, your reading into it too much, let’s sweep it all under the carpet’ attitude.

The previous person in my role left also due to being bullied out.

I asked for an HR call back and they simply closed the job request with a standard response email and a link to HR policy and guidelines

I’m not impressed.

Large company. Office is full of local people/friends who’ve worked there since year dot.

What can I do? There’s lots more but I don’t want to give too much detail for obvious reasons.

It’s not easy just getting another job, frankly I don’t see why I should have to but I can’t go on trying to survive in this toxic environment where I’m clearly not wanted.

Writing this out has made me think there’s only one option and that is to walk away?

Thx

Anyone?

I assume HR sent you the company policies on how to raise a grievance? I’m not sure what you wanted to meet with them about and what action you expected them to take?

Not a solicitor, just didn’t want your post to go unanswered:-)

I think for your own sanity, start looking for a new role. Don't leave before getting a new job though - don't let them put you in that position. Other option is raise a formal grievance with HR, they can't just send you link to policy then.

Join a union.

Raise a grievance. I used to work in an environment like this; it was unbearable.

Id look for another job, lifes too short for that kind if nonsense

Well HR and management clearly don’t give two shits. And as it’s a large company I’m presuming they’re acting within the law although it sounds like a horrific place to work. You could raise a grievance but based on what you’ve said I doubt things would improve. No it’s not fair but I’d focus on getting another job. If your sanity will stand it then don’t leave until you’ve found something else as it’s easier to get a job when you’ve got a job. But I’d totally understand if you did walk out tomorrow. Good luck.

Your options are raise a formal grievance or walk away, basically.

Yes HR sent the policies & procedure guidance but I already knew that. I specifically asked for a call back because I felt unable to disclose some of the issues to my direct LM due to friendships.

I also wanted to ask if there would be any option to transfer/ be re-deployed elsewhere and finally if I can use HR as a reference for job applications as I couldn’t trust my LM to not share the information to colleagues on my new job or even respond in time to the reference request.

This CBA attitude from a large HR function didn’t fill me with any faith in the system, or that they actually care about helping individuals who are reaching out.

The phone numbers on the ‘Anti bullying & harassment at work’ posters are also out of date which is why I had to email them. The place is a shambles.

Been there.

Raise a formal grievance. Document everything. My employer was fucking useless and my boss discriminatory even in HR meetings.

I planned to take them to a tribunal but my MH was so bad by the end I agreed a settlement and left.

It sounds bloody awful, I would look for another job asap, do you really want to be transferred, a new LM might be nicer and supportive but it sounds a right mess. Are there plenty of similar jobs available, I was in a similar situation, I put up with it for a while but in the end I walked and never looked,back.

Think your wasting your time they sound like a crap company , move on

If you can be botheredmthen document all their nasty behaviour and do not be alone with the people shouting, ignoring and bullying you .

Join Unite. I did. My rep kicked ass big time on my behalf.

I appreciate all your advice and replies so far.

Unfortunately my MH isn’t great, I suffer from depression and anxiety which has been exasperated by this whole experience. I don’t want them thinking I am ‘weak’ or ‘not right in the head’ in anyway to justify the treatment I’ve had. I function perfectly well at work.

I really wanted a nice job which was local and fitted in with my current circumstances.

I had a conversation with my LM where I told her everything. She shut me down on a couple of issues where her friends were mentioned...just as I suspected would happen. I then said I wanted it made formal as in particular with the key team member I feel his actions are deliberately calculated to force me out.

She didn’t agree it should be dealt with formally and arranged a meeting with the 3 of us next week.

I told her I wasn’t entirely happy with that as I feel it’s confrontational and tbh the last thing I need but that’s what is happening.

I’m ill with side effects of new anti anxiety meds and want to just go off sick, this job has made me ill and they won’t take any responsibility for it.

I can’t afford to lose my wage coming in but feel if I stay I’m going to lose my sanity all together. I’m between a rock and a hard place.

Everything is documented and I have evidence of things that I’m aware of.

Can anyone tell me if arrangements are likely to be made for me to be moved if I put a grievance in? I can’t imagine having to sit there in that environment whilst going through a grievance process with my colleagues.

I don’t have any HR based advice re raising a grievance but just wanted to add YOU ARE NOT WEAK. It’s not you, it’s them. Keep repeating this to yourself. And whatever you decide to do, put your mental health first and look after yourself.

”Can anyone tell me if arrangements are likely to be made for me to be moved if I put a grievance in?”

Is there somewhere you could be moved to?

Can anyone tell me if arrangements are likely to be made for me to be moved if I put a grievance in?

I have not come across this being done and it sounds unlikely (but I am not a HR expert).

The previous person in my role left also due to being bullied out.

That probably tells you all you need to know about how this is going to end.

I have worked somewhere horrible. I should have quit in my first week. If you can, focus on getting a new role elsewhere, especially if your mental health is beginning to suffer.

Do not feel pressured to go to a meeting, if it is causing you a lot of anxiety and you do want to go to it then ask if your can take someone with you, just for moral support and make sure everything discussed is clearly documented or recorded and that you get a typed copy of the meeting. Do you know what you want the outcome of,the meeting to be, don't let them just talk over you and make sure,the manager tells everyone involved that,the meeting is confidential and not to be discussed with anyone. If you feel up to it do call ACAS for their advice,

@flowery potentially yes, large organisation with several offices in different towns nearby.

I have a generic job role which imo could be transferred within the organisation but whether or not that's possible in an HR world I have no idea.

Again, thank you all for your support and the flowers @retirednow

I will look at options for joining a union and acas.

camel is your organisation aware (formally) of your depression and anxiety and that you are on medication to control it? Have you ever been asked if you need any reasonable adjustments?

If you have declared your MH to your employers, then they need to tread carefully in their treatment of you. You should be covered against harassment under the Equality Act if they are aware you suffer from anxiety and if you have kept a record of everything you have been subjected to and if you believe they are targeting you unfairly and not giving you the chance to improve aspects of your role performance, if that is their problem with you.

I'd definitely recommend you contact ACAS to run through a brief summary to see what they think. They don't give legal advice but they can give a basic overview of employment law so you are equipped to attend the meeting.

Not one normally to suggest this but if she regularly rants at you could you be prepared and secretly record? Then you have actual evidence that no one can ignore.