Advice in how to manage performance issues / bullying

[Melcl1987]

My partner is having some issues at work it would be really helpful to get some advice on.

He works in tech and changed work pattern a year ago to go part time. However his workload hasnt been adjusted to account for this and this led to his performance declining along with a lot of stress.

He has repeatedly flagged these issues to his line manager to no avail, rather than helping his line manager is actively bullying him including personally insulting him during one to ones.

He hasnt flagged this bullying to anyone because he doesnt have any faith it will be managed properly

It now seems like he might be put on a performance improvement plan despite regularly working well beyond his hours

I am not the most familiar with these matters so just wondering what i should advise so just wondering if anyone can suggest what they would do?

He went to the doctors the other day with heart palpitations and they offered to sign him off with stress but he is worried it might make things worse.

Stress and heart palpitations are serious. If his doctor has offered a sick note, it might be wise to take it. Being signed off does not count against him legally, and can actually protect him by showing that the workplace situation is affecting his health.
He should also consider asking his GP about a note that outlines adjustments he needs (e.g., reduced workload, no excessive hours).

HR has a duty to log complaints of bullying and discrimination. He scould frame issues around workload and wellbeing, not just “my boss is bullying me.” This makes it harder for the company to ignore. ACAS is also an option for advice

having said all this, the best option is always to find a new job. Once things turn sour in a job it seldom ever improves.

Sounds like he is being managed out and they resent him for going part time.

What is his sickness pay like?

I was also being bullied and treated unfairly. I ended up going off sick for burnout, quitting and extending my sickness until end of my notice; with dr note. I am using all my sickness pay though and job hunting at the moment. It was seriously impacting my mental health.

He should put a grievance in but will need examples. I was managed out a job because a new person arrived 15-20 years my junior saying I wasn’t right in a role I’d done for 30 years. Made minor issues seem big, undermined me, etc. he may get managed out but may get a settlement out of it

He needs to get signed off sick if he is having heart palpitations. He then needs to write to his union/HR and the manager above his line manager, explaining that as a part-timer, he is paid to do a fraction of what he did before but instead, he is under pressure to do the same work in less time for less money.

Can he give a concrete example? E.g. As a full-timer, I was expected to complete X project over Y months. As a part timer, I would expect to complete a similar project over the same number of days spread out over more months, or share the work with a colleague, doing 3/5 of it in the same time period, Instead I am under pressure to...[give examples] Concerns raised with my line manager have not been taken seriously. [give examples of bullying attitude] This has led to serious physical symptoms of stress including heart palpitations.

I seriously hope he is in a union that can take this up for him. People are worked into the ground these days. It revolts me.

Why did he go part-time? Was he being overworked as a full-timer too? I always worry for people who go part-time as they so often end up expected to complete a full-time job on less pay.