False Allegations and Silence Treatment Driving Me Insane

[lea2001gb]

I have worked for the same company for the last 5 years, but in the last 3 years or so, my boss (female) has been undermining everything I do, accusing me of things I haven't done and basically ripping apart at every opportunity. She is not very popular by all accounts.

 

It all started when we had a new employee who was obviously not afraid of a bit of ass-kissing as it were. The only probably was, when she decided to ass-kiss, it was to lie about myself and a couple of others in the room. Well she left and it now seems that someone else has taken up the role. This has been a constant trauma for 3 years and has got to the point where I do not want to go to work and there is no one I can report it to as they all seem to be so far up each other it is unbelievable. I have now found that one person makes up the lie and it spreads like wild-fire and now one of the people in the office (my direct boss) has decided to completely ignore me. It doesn't help that my line manager is the girlfriend of my direct boss, so they kind of stick together. The overall boss, who likes to undermine everyone, is friends with my boss and line manager and they go shopping and borrow each others cars. I have run out of options now and have no idea what to do.

 

I am now hoping that I can relocate as I live in Nottinghamshire and my other half works about 50 miles about, so relocating closer to his job and finding another one is my only option.

 

In the meantime, is there any advice anyone can give me at the moment? I am not part of union and we have no protection from these bully boss's.

[Ell-enn]

I'm sorry you are having to endure this treatment at work. Does your company have a Dignity at Work Policy? (Bullying and Harassment is the other name for it?) Bullying takes many forms and is not always physical. Also, is there a grievance policy in place?

[lea2001gb]

I dont think we have a dignity at work police and the grievance policy runs as such: immediate in charges first, then line manager, then overall boss. The problem is - they are the problem. I considered going to HR with this but afraid it will cause more of a problem. There are 2 others in the office who are fed up with it and all applying for new jobs. The main boss even talks the overall boss like he is nothing and they all seem afraid of her. She starts a new job in January within the company but unfortunately for me, it is too little too late.

[Ell-enn]

If you do not feel confident in starting a grievance - you should certainly ask to see your HR manager who should listen to you in confidence and advise, and also support you in your grievance. You cannot allow this behavior to continue and you should not be expected to work under these circumstances. Would your colleagues who are also suffering be prepared to do the same?

[lea2001gb]

One of them has a relative who works in HR and has told them what is going on, and she has advised to go and see the HR director, but she is rarely in the office as she travels around alot.

[Ell-enn]

I think you're best route would be to ask your HR manager to make an appointment with the HR director, preferably as a group if you can persuade the others to join in. The HR Director has to take this seriously as directors are responsible for the welfare of their employees, and this behavior cannot be allowed to continue.

It is the company in the public or private sector? do you have a union?

Remember that no-one should be submitted to bullying or harassment at work, and you have the right to take action.

[lea2001gb]

not sure if it is public or private, it has Ltd on the end (never got to grips with public and private). We do not have a union. I knew numerous people have just walked out, and the main boss just shouts at people across the office. We had a major roasting 2 years ago in December for something we didn't do, and when we tried to tell her this, we were told to shut and and that she was talking. This is what we get all the time - the woman is evil. We have a guy who is the top top guy and I have considered taking it to him as I have been informed by one of people in the room that someone tried to sort it before (quite some time ago) and go absolutely no where so they left.

[Ell-enn]

Try going through your HR manager for an appointment with the HR director and let us know what happens.

[cal37]

Please take notes of times etc when the bulling has happened, record everything.You have to follow the grievance procedure if you ever were to take this to a tribunal.

 

Do not put up with this, if all else fails get an employment lawyer and take this tribunal.