Work refusing to ban man who has made threats of violence to me

[scaredandworriedbythis]

I work in a public facing role. Last year I had problems with a client, he made threats wishing to cause me harm, threats to kill me, and racist and misogynistic insults.
I took this to the police and he was cautioned. However, my work has refused to ban him and he still comes in there. I've managed to avoid him, but I am terrified of bumping into him. I dread going to work, and I'm on a constant state of high alert in case I see him.
My managers for some reason don't think he is a problem, but this is affecting my mental health, I cry at the smallest thing, and I'm on the verge of quitting a job I used to love because of this man and my work's refusal to deal with him.
Can I, seeing as there has already been police involvement, insist that this man is banned from any place of work that I may be in? It's Civil Service, so they seem to be totally ignoring safeguarding policy. It's making me ill, and I'm a shadow of the person I was last year. I'm not the only person this man has targeted, but I seem to have got it the worst.

So sorry this is happening OP, sounds very scary. Work had a duty of care towards you. I’d put it in writing , including the police involvement and ask them to ban him to protect you. If your workplace provides services that he is entitled to access (benefits, job centre etc) then they can find a way to do so without you coming into contact with him.

That's awful, so disrespectful to you.
Are they scared of him or do they not want to lose his business. You DESERVE to be protected from somebody who threatened you at work.

That's awful. I was assuming you worked in a small business but I see it's the Civil Service! Are you in a union? Even if you're not, surely there must be some way to get senior management to look at this again. It shows no respect for the safety and wellbeing of their staff at all.

Oh sorry, civil service. so it's not like he's a multi million pound client that keeps them in business.

Work has a duty of care towards you.
Don’t quit because you won’t be entitled to anything, get in writing that you’re asking for them to protect you and they won’t. See your GP and let them document that your health is suffering significantly because your employer isn’t keeping you safe as they should. Then get legal advice and look at the options there are to force them to take action.

I am in a union. I think I need to take it to them. I'm on the verge of going off sick a colleague told me that this man had come in yesterday (my day off) and I thought I was going to pass out at the thought of him being in my space. I was sobbing in the toilets trying to calm down.

This is awful @scaredandworriedbythis Is he stalking you?

Legally i’m not sure what you can do - someone will know on here - but have you got some RL support?

@hudsonrose he hasn't stalked me as In followed me, turned up at my home, but I do know that he has been slagging me off to some other professional people in my town.

Hopefully your union can help. I wonder if you have a case against them if you have to leave over this.

I am so sorry this is happening to you. As a civil servant you have different avenues for support:

Speak to your union. Join one if you aren't a member.
You should have access to some kind of "employee assistance program" phone them.
Speak to charity for civil servants.

If your direct managers won't support you is there anyone at the same level in a different team you can speak to?

@CanIKeepDoingThis He is well known in the local area, notorious rather than famous.

@CanIKeepDoingThis But certainly not someone who is valuable to them!

The racist comments are being denied as racist by work - I'm from Scotland , lived in England for thirty odd years and he told me to fuck off back to Jock land. Work day this is just banter and I should be able to laugh it off.

Say not day!

At the risk of being outing, he has a reputation as a lovable eccentric locally. (Those who have the misfortune to know him know that this is not the case at all, and he's well known to the police), and I think my bosses see him as that, while ignoring the damage he is doing to a member of their own staff.

I think you deserve to go on sick leave while this is sorted out. Your reactions show you have extreme stress levels due to his actions. For your employers not to back you on this is shocking.

@VintageGibbon I have considered that. My GP is already aware of the situation (and cannot believe how they're behaving), and I've been prescribed medication for anxiety and depression recently, all as a result of this.

Has he got a special marker on his case ? If so you should not have to see him face to face alone. Approach your union , Employee Assistance Programme and your local Ambassador for fair Treatment if you are in DWP. Your manager should be 100 % behind you .

@sandgrown No he hasn't. Nothing on his file. Manager said it would be inappropriate.

Wouldn't that be more accurately zenophobic rather than racist? Still not right and very distressing, but I do think words matter if you are making an offficial complaint.

@knittingaddict yes it probably is that. It's upsetting though.

Of course it is and you have my sympathy. It might help to clarify the issue as zenophobia so that it is less likely to be dismissed. Hope you get somewhere with this.

@knittingaddict That's useful, thank you. What it is not is "banter"!

Civil service useless at best are you DWP ? Just get your union onto it go off sick until they sort it it’s intimidation in the work place they’re so busy being woke they forget their staff and normal life

Yes it's DWP. This man has a history of harassing women (the police told me this). Work doesn't seem to think we count.