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Original poster

Manager ignoring bullying and harassment complaints- next steps?

49 replies

Bakingbread123 · 07/10/2019 15:24

Hi all, I work in the nhs and I am not part of a union currently. I’ve worked in my role for 3 years and have made numerous complaints about a member of staff who works in a different department but whom I need to communicate with daily. I have all emails and written complaints to my managers. My manager selectively replies to certain emails and ignores others. She acts like she hasn’t received them and doesn’t respond to them. I have just sent another email outlining the bullying and harassment policy, the steps that I need to follow saying that all of these steps have been followed and nothing has improved. The next step is a disciplinary hearing for the person. I’ve mentioned unions and HR, I’ve mentioned my email trail and my diary of communication with this staff member.

I am scared to go into work because of this person. They are intimidating, aggressive and a pathological liar, who plays mind games. He has serious issues that include controlling women.

I swear I cannot be ignored again by my boss... who can I go to? I literally cannot go higher up and complain about her as this would make my job very uncomfortable. Managers can be bully's too and will just all stick together. Legally do I have a leg to stand on or shall I hand my notice in? We've had mediation and meetings with the person however he has a different manager and his manager and in-fact whole department are exactly the same. So his manager is not disciplining him so he is getting away with it.

OP posts:

JoObrien7 · 08/10/2019 06:54

@Bakingbread123

That's good ... let us know what happens. You are doing the right thing because working in a hospital is stressful enough without having to deal with men like him.

Good Luck.

MPForFlydaleNorth · 08/10/2019 06:57

Glad you are planning to have a meeting and I hope it goes well. If not see if your trust has a whistleblower policy, or a freedom to speak up guardian you can talk to, as it sounds as though patient care is at risk. Also definitely join the union ASAP. Good luck

KatherineJaneway · 08/10/2019 07:00

He is totally unprofessional I’m surprised he’s not been sacked yet.

Your manager is not dealing with it yet you refuse to take the matter further / higher. If you are not doing something about him, why expect anyone else to either?

Original poster

Bakingbread123 · 08/10/2019 07:05

I know. Thank you all

OP posts:

Zeldasmagicwand · 08/10/2019 10:27

@KatherineJaneway why are you blaming the victim? The manager is employed to deal with staff issues but when it involves staff in a different dept. it's more difficult to resolve as their manager has to be involved too. However a competent manager should have the necessary skills to resolve this satisfactorily.
A crap manager will try to ignore the situation hoping that either it or the staff member goes away.

I had a senior member of staff from a different dept. speak to me in a rude way inc. swearing. When I told my manager, she contacted his manager and the member of staff was required to come to my office and apologise. He was perfectly nice and actually helpful after that.
My manager was probably the best manager I've ever had and I learnt a lot from her.

Original poster

Bakingbread123 · 08/10/2019 10:39

@Zeldasmagicwand wow thanks for the story at least it’s not just me 😂 I really do agree with the management issue. If the manager is rubbish then the whole department will be. The staff here tend to get away with all sorts, no one cares anymore it’s quite upsetting. If only the patients knew what went on behind the scenes and how it affects their care 😞

OP posts:

HappyHammy · 08/10/2019 11:25

If this is affecting patient care then it has to be dealt with, it should be reported or whistleblower, to the relevant authorities and the CEO, Director of Nursing of the trust..

HappyHammy · 08/10/2019 11:32

When he kicks off on the ward does anyone record it on their phone or bleep security and the site manager?

preproombabe · 08/10/2019 11:53

Don't hold your breath waiting for management to sort it! My DH works in the NHS, he has been off sick with stress and anxiety due to workplace bullying since May. He has raised the issue several times with various managers , including at board level,and occupational health. They all talk the talk but so far no action has been taken, despite at least two other people we know of being in the same boat. This particular Trust has been in the local news for serious bullying issues in recent years, and according to their publicity they take it very seriously. In reality it seems they just ignore it until the victim can't take it any more and leaves.

It has been hell watching my lovely DH become a shadow of his former self, and the uncertainty is also affecting my mental health as I suffer from anxiety too.

I wish you well OP and hope you get what you need, but sadly I have no confidence in either the will or the ability of the NHS to tackle these problems. How ironic that the organisation that is meant to care for our health treats its employees so badly that they become ill and are unable to work.

KatherineJaneway · 08/10/2019 13:12

@Zeldasmagicwand

Not victim blaming, pointing out a fact.

The manager should deal with this, that obvious, but clearly they are not going to act. OP then said 'why hasn't said person been sacked' and its because everyone is like the OP and hopes someone else will deal with it. No OP should not have to go to HR, but it's clear their manager is avoiding the difficult conversation/s so there really is no other choice.

No one should accept bullying but sometimes you have to be the one to take a stand when those employed to do so shirk their responsibilities.

Original poster

Bakingbread123 · 08/10/2019 13:58

I had a meeting today and they offered me two options - speak with him again and try to resolve the issues or report it to a special group of people who usually deal with these issues, who will then put in an investigation against him. However my manager can’t do anything herself she can give me details of someone who can help.

So it’s going to be a waiting game to see how his manager responds when this new complaint is put forward. We agree that we want him to be removed from the ward and to give us a different staff member. We can’t force this but we can suggest it. So for now he continues to work here... apparently this process can take a long time.

OP posts:

Original poster

Bakingbread123 · 08/10/2019 14:03

@HappyHammy

No they just leave it to me, it would be great if I had some support. This whole ward is a joke to be honest.

OP posts:

HappyHammy · 08/10/2019 14:13

Why has it all been left to you to sort out? isn't it up to the ward manager to deal with this. next time he kicks off, starts shouting and upsetting staff and patients what do they expect you to do? if you are a nurse I would get in touch with the RCN for their advice if you are a member. Who are these 'special group of people'?

Original poster

Bakingbread123 · 08/10/2019 15:16

It’s a speaking up campaign with dedicated staff per ward who your can speak to if you are worried about work, then there is a main person who runs it so they will deal with the complaint I think

OP posts:

HappyHammy · 08/10/2019 19:57

I've heard of the speaking up campaign, dont they appoint a guardian for the ward. IME sometimes the only way things get done is if a patient or relative complains via PALS.

JoObrien7 · 08/10/2019 21:40

@Bakingbread123

Could you record his behavior on your phone to show to your manager?

This man needs to be stopped now before he causes anymore trouble on the ward.

I can't believe your manager is still not doing anything to remove this man from patient contact.

JoObrien7 · 09/10/2019 04:42

@Bakingbread123

You could lodge a complaint on the hospital website and they will then have to react to this man. I don't know which hospital you are based at but there is a complaints procedure you can go through.

www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/how-to-complain-to-the-nhs/

Original poster

Bakingbread123 · 09/10/2019 06:32

I did feel put on the spot yesterday as the other lady was asking me to tell her what he had actually done. It’s hard to remember every detail so it might be a good idea to print all of my emails concerning complaints I’ve made. This involves everything that he has done wrong on our ward, I can then show this to them and ask them if they think this is acceptable. Surely they aren’t that bothered. I’ve tried this before but going through my work emails took so long but it will be worth it. I can keep a file against him in my locker so that when i’m called upon again I’ve got all of the facts, dates and times and names of other staff who were present.

OP posts:

TheBlessedCheesemaker · 09/10/2019 07:03

World of difference between ‘complaining and pointing out bad behaviour’ And ‘raising a formal grievance’ . You need to do the latter. Ask how to raise s formal grievance, use that term in all dialogue, if your boss doesn’t know then go higher. And carry on up the food chain of management/HR. In this situation the managers all seem a bit shit so unless a ‘formal’ process gets kicked off, you are unlikely to get a sustainable outcome.

Bear in mind also that he may be working with known hidden disabilities that could affect outcomes.

Original poster

Bakingbread123 · 09/10/2019 10:44

What kind of known hidden disability would cause him to have angry outbreaks in front of patients and staff and who would possibly defend that behaviour? If he is that unstable then he should not be allowed to work in a hospital with vulnerable people.

OP posts:

JoObrien7 · 09/10/2019 18:13

@Bakingbread123

I have just complained to the NHS about the treatment of a chronically ill relative and they have replied to me and said they will be taking action to improve their services. If this man has a hidden disability perhaps he shouldn't be working with patients or any of the medical staff. I am not being unkind but some people use disability as an excuse when they might just be depressed or have been referred to a counselor. I would ask what the disability is so you and your colleagues can deal with it.

Original poster

Bakingbread123 · 16/10/2019 07:00

Hi I have an update. So nothing has been done and no further contact details have been given to me for a representative. No solution has been made. I’ve still been getting nit picking rude emails from him. All managers are included in these.

My manager was in yesterday so I told her my response to his most recent emails and that it is ridiculous. I explained to her im on the verge of bursting into tears today not just because of his emails but it’s been so busy today and stressful and it’s not even 10am.

She basically told me to ignore it and don’t let it get to me. She said I can’t take emails as rude or written with a certain tone. Im overthinking things apparently.

She said I need to do as he asked and ring him from now on instead of email. Phone him and say thank you and that I received the emails and be polite.... is she for real?

Id rather shoot myself thanks! Il be handling this myself next time I see him I'm going to ask him what his problem is. Im also going to look for a new job.

OP posts:

Original poster

Bakingbread123 · 16/10/2019 07:01

I told her im not coping well, mentally it’s getting too much. She wasn’t too bothered

OP posts:

preproombabe · 16/10/2019 15:11

So sorry to see your update. I think you are doing the right thing to look for a new job before the bullying really starts to affect your mental health.

Yet another person bullied out of the NHS!

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