Being bullied at work

[Rhubarbraspberryandrose]

I’m not sure what (if anything) to do about this.

Bullying issues have involved humiliation mostly, telling me about what a bad job i am doing in a very public and often inappropriate settings (group WhatsApp for example.)

I’ve only just started, she’s been there ages … she is my superior but only marginally if that makes sense.

It’s causing me a lot of anxiety.

I’m so sorry. I’ve been bullied at work, I know how awful and anxiety inducing it is.

Please keep a note of each incident. Write down dates, times, what was said and any witnesses. Take screen shots of the WhatsApp bullying so they can’t be deleted.

Is there a HR person where you work? You need to make them aware. So sorry

Nobody does their best work when they're feeling humiliated. I have also been bullied at work although it was a social exclusion she was executing.

Thanks. There is HR but I don’t know if approaching them would potentially make it worse and lead to a very stressful and tense situation! It’s so difficult.

Definitely approach HR with screen shots and examples of what’s happening, sorry you’re going through this.

100% make HR aware op.
It's just going to carry on otherwise.

Sorry your going through this

Take detailed notes time, date. Record and transcribe interactions.
Also if I were you I'll let the person know that it is unprofessional for her to reprimand you in public.
Do screenshots of the WhatsApp.
Don't become a victim that's how the bullies win.
Don't let the bastards get you down.

What do HR then do? I’ve only been in the job since the start of September

Does your employer/ company have a bullying and harassment policy on the intranet or anywhere? Do you have a line manager or other senior person you can approach.

I personally would be raising it with my line manager. Giving 2/3 examples and stating the evidence you have. I think it's important to cross reference with any policy. Someone should be talking to this person and giving them a warning about their behaviour. If it doesn't improve they may well find they are out on their ear.

This might be useful for you in terms of what action you can/ should expect from your company.

www.acas.org.uk/handling-a-bullying-harassment-discrimination-complaint

Do you have records of the bullying incidents? Do you feel it might be harassment due to a protected characteristic? Is she targeting you in particular?

Also have you explained in writing how the behaviour is affecting you? Either write to her or to HR. Get it down in writing. Keep a log of every WhatsApp, email, incident.

It sounds as though you may potentially need to go down the grievance route if this can’t be resolved informally. Finally if you have a union rep give them a call they can be really helpful

Is your line manager involved in the bullying? Do you have the WhatsApp screen grabbed?

If the manager isn’t involved, I would speak to them first. As a manager I would be involving HR.

I would definitely come off the WhatsApp group for work. They are a cesspit for unregulated unofficial conversations that can spiral out of control.

State to your manager that you want to communicate via the company's official channel which is email. A bully won't like email because it can record them being a bully. A WhatsApp group makes people behave like they're in the school playground, just a load of inane drivel.