If I complain about a bullying manager

[Jobquest]

Realistically what can happen? Not much right? HR may speak to the manager. I’m on a fixed term contract role so I’m already in a vulnerable situation.

Are they actually bullying or just doing something you dislike?

You would have to be able to give specific examples, dates and witnesses to be taken seriously. It is worth starting to take notes/ diary if you have not already. What happens after complaint is made depends very much on both the nature of the allegations and your organisation's culture. It can range from being brushed off/ minimised, an informal talk by HR with the manager (hopefully not identifying source of complaint) or even a disciplinary investigation against manager.

How have your HR have handled other allegations in past? How does your manager generally respond to criticism? Is this likely to go well or badly? That is something randoms on the internet cannot tell you.

If you have a recognised one in your workplace I recommend joining and talking to a union first as the site rep (if they are any good) should be able to give you a better idea of general outcomes of grievances in your company and also if you have a case worth pursuing. Also if things do go bad then at least the union will be able to help you negotiate an exit. That said you might need to wait a month or so after joining before the union cover kicks in.