OT workplace Bullying what would you do?

[signtalker]

For all those that have followed, and been asking how things are going Re work, well Ive now found myself in another situation engineered by my line manager to get me in more trouble!.

Last week I went back to work, first day back, I was informed that this year I would be supporting Deaf/Blind students not just Deaf.

Im a qualified interpreteur for the Deaf, and have NO qualifications with deaf/blind or have I ever had any training!!!.Its obvious this has been done to add another nail to the coffin so to speak, so again off i go to the union,

I received a very stroppy email from the head of our HR department, telling me im in breach of contract(as im refusing to work as off 9.00 monday morning, although Im assured as this isnt in my job description im within my rights!).

Apprently because Ive what we called"shaddowed" another person, which means sat in a class and watched them interact with a deaf/blind person, im qualified to support these students!.
These students by the way, do NOT use sign language hence no reason for me being there!!

Also I have highlighted the health and safety issue for myself, having an injury to my shoulder/arm/hand having to guide these people, and also the fact that surely if I do anything wrong the parents would go up the wall!!.

I know as im a parent of a disabled child, and personally I would hit the roof if an unqualified person supported my son!

At 9.00 monday morning I have to attend a disciplinary meeting, and its obvious my line manager is stooping to down right lies now to drop me in it!, so I could possibly be in a postion that I could be suspended!.Im normally a meek and mild person, but after being reported for falsely claiming my overtime in the summer, by my line manager( i was off sick at the time, and a sick note produced) hence entitled to sick pay, Im slowly starting to want to punch this womans lights out!!!(which is what they want me to do).

So guys what would you do??, im trying to do everything via the book, in terms of being nicey nicey, doing all my paperwork correctly and leaving dead on time each day, but after a year and a half its starting to grind me down, im getting emotional, moods are up and down, neurotic, and finding myself justifying everything I say and do!.

What would you all do?.
Jules

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Jules, I'm so sorry, what a horrible position you are in.

I don't know what the easy answer is. I've never - thankfully - been in this situation, but as PR Manager I've had to deal with the company's tribunals etc with the media.

I think the only way to act in these circumstances is do everything by the book - that way your line manager cannot get you on anything and will end making herself look stupid (we hope).

As much as I sympathise with wanting to punch her lights out - we've all been there, believe me - don't lower yourself to her level.

Good luck tomorrow - fingers and legs and everything else crossed for you.

Let us know how it goes, please.

 

[WDWfan uk]

I agree 100% with Annie - do everything by the book.

When you attend the meeting, you'll need to be calm so that you can put your case over well and so that they can see that you are being reasonable - all the points you make e.g. that you are unqualified, that you can put yourself in the place of the parents and know how you'd feel etc etc are absolutely valid, and show a level of concern.

If they feel however, that you are doing this because there is a personal vendetta going on or to defy your line manager, then they will not be sympathetic.

Jules, this is easier said than done I know, but you'll need to set all the pent up emotion aside to deal with this - very best of luck.

 

[Sue & Co.]

Jules, I appreciate what a difficult position you are in. There are a number of things you should be doing to help your case. Firstly stay calm (I know it's hard), secondly write down everything that is said to you by your line manager with date and time, write down every other thing that occurs at work (i.e. interractions for which you are not trained/prepared), involve your union if you are in one and consider joining one if you are not, talk to ACAS they can give good advice especially if yuor line manager steps over the line between bad practice and illegality. It is a difficult situation especially when it comes down to one persons word against another but if you can show that your line manager is being unreasonable in his/her expectations they will have to take action. In the end if they take the line managers side (not unheard of) you may need to take them to an employment tribunal to get justice. ACAS and/or your union should help with this both practically and with moral support. Please feel free to PM me if you would like to.

Sue

 

[Astrid]

Afraid I haven't got any constructive to say Jules, just to re-iterate what the others have said and try to keep smiling and nice to everyone even if it's through gritted teeth and your insides are churning.

Difficult to do I know but good luck matey!

Astrid x

 

[Roly Poly]

I know this is after your meeting, and I hope everything goes well, but I think you should do as advised and record everything. By making you do a job you are not trained for, you could be in a position to sue them for 'constructive dismissal'. The mere mention of this normal sends employers running for cover as precedent has shown this to be extremely effective.

Let us know please. This is bullying of the worst kind

RP

 

[Paul and Shirley]

Hi Jules

are u in a union? if not you need an independent witness with you when you go in who can take notes on your behalf.
i have recently been in a similar situation where i was forced out of my job. unfortunately i wasn't in a union but i did take an independent witness in with me who helped me secure an amicable settlement.

next keep a diary of anything said for future reference especially if this is an ongoing problem with your line manager, never speak to your line manager without a witness and write down what was said when it was said in front of whom etc
if all else fails there is the greivance procedure-it might not be pretty but at least your side will be heard. and someone even higher will no there is a problem

lastly do everything by the book, if you know you are in the right then stick by your principles as if anything goes wrong and you have done what this line manager has told you to do yet you know it was not right you would be in problem street as they would no doubt deny everything.

if all else fails there is tribunal and do not forget solicitors give free advice for the first 30 minutes.

if i was you if you have a union in your line of work i would join it quick as they would then sort this all for you.

hope this helps. if i can help anymore let me know. i have been there and it is dreadful, be calm and try and stay positive.

love
shirleyx

 

[signtalker]

Hi Guys, many thanks for your comments, I am already in a union, and as this thing has got so big I have had representation for over a year via the regional union rep. I have already gone through the grievance procedure, when they kindly cut my working hours from 29 to 16!!!, and also when they wouldnt reconize my entitlement to parental leave, which involved me getting a letter from the minister of education before they would finally accept what i was saying for the last year!!!.

As off today, I was informed that I am still being asked to support these students, apprently this order has come from senior management!. In my meeting on monday I was told"To be very careful" ( and this I took as a threat, because it was said twice!)by the head of the HR department. I expressed my concerns over the health and safety issues, but basically it feel on deaf ears(excuse the pun!),(so now a medical assessment is being asked for via the college Doctor) On thursday my area union rep is being brought in due to the legal side of things ,as my normal union rep felt out of his depth.
As I type, I am aware that come tomorrow, after speaking to my line manager today, and declining to work this afternoon and tomorrow, that it is a very high possibillity that I am looking at being disciplined!,I have been polite right through this so I know they are unable to say Ive been aggressive, I have also for the last year or more been logging details times etc.
My office is buzzing(everyboody knows whats going on), and its going quiet when I walk in a room, so obviously my line manager doesnt feel the need for confidentiality!.
I am lucky in the respect that I have a fellow worker who is witnessing all of this, and getting a bit of a rough ride herself(guilty by association!).
Anyway I will keep you all posted!, as Ive said to my husband I think it annoys them more to see me at work everyday, smiling and going about my work as normal as I can, I am a pretty strong person in terms of character(had to be with a disabled child), so Im coping as best as I can. It helps also to have you all as shoulders to cry on!
Thanks to everybody.
Jules

 

[Astrid]

Keep smiling honey and keep on irritating the pants off them all!

Hope it's all resolved soon.

Astrid x

 

[kazzie]

I haven't been able to add to the advice you've been given but am following things as I'd like to know how you get on.You have enough to cope with at home,sometimes stress at work just tips the balance.

Any more news Jules?

 

[signtalker]

Thanks for asking Karen, today a meeting was called at 12.30, I was notified at 11.40, no union member was avalible,s o the meeting was cancelled.

The worst to come is tomorrow, I think by 5.00 I will know my fate, the area union rep is coming in(I wont be present!), apprently he's trying very hard to get a meeting with the Principal, and cant belive how Im being treated!. There is a loop hole by the sounds of it, that leaves me open to being disciplined, so Im presuming if we go down that route I will be suspended!.

Like I say I think it all rests on tomorrow, I cant explain, how Bad im feeling, because if I do happen to be disciplined this is something that goes on my work record, so in effect, I could win the discipline hearing, but my line managers will have added yet another nail in my coffin!.

Will update you all tomorrow.
Jules

 

[Carol Ann UK]

Jules

Hang on in there and stand by what is right. Loopholes or not, you are only doing what you believe is right. It is beyond belief that this sort of thing can go on.

At the end of the day an Independent Employment Tibunal would be just that, independent, so you could take it further.

Good luck for tomorrow.

Carol

 

[WDWfan uk]

Very best of luck for tomorrow Jules.

 

[kazzie]

Good Luck

 

[Astrid]

Hope it all goes ok today Jules.

Astrid x

 

[Muppet]

I really hope this works out ok for you. Its shocking how badly you are being treated. They should be ashamed of themselves.

 

[Sue & Co.]

Jules - How did it go? I assume maybe not too well as you haven't posted. We are all thinking of you.

Sue

 

[signtalker]

Hi guys, and many thanks for your support over this difficult time.

Well to cut along story short, Apprently according to the union I dont have a leg to stand on!, because APPRENTLY these students both use sign language(which could be a shake of the hand meaning no!), I am qualified to support them!

I have another meeting planned for monday with HR and my union.To say I am gobsmacked is an understatement, if I still continue to not support these students I will be suspended!!.

So now, Im argueing several points, which is that if I have to support these students , all I will do is communicate,I will not act as chief cook and bottle washer(if you get my drift), in terms of visual aids,enlarged handouts, and all the other things that go with a sight impaired person, that I have no qualifications for!!.

The one point Im really going to town on, is the fact I am expected for 2 lunch times to support 2 deaf/blind students, guiding them to lunch, gettting lunch, getting hot cups of coffee/tea etc. 2 years ago I had a car accident, since then Ive been in hospital twice, and have basically had 2 years of hell with my arm, and shoulder. I do not see how I can be expected to have people hanging off my arm,trying to grab onto me. Nor can I see how I can be expected to start carrying coffees etc, when at times I loose the use of my fingers(i have had countless weeks of work for this), the HR department are aware of this, and have sought confirmation via the college doctor(who Ive yet to see), but after signing solid for 3 hours, then having a 20 minute break, supporting 2 students, then going into another 2 hour lecture, i cannot see how they can get away with expecting me to do this, one day of this and I'll be off work for 2 to recover LOL!!!

Theres still lots of underlying things going on regarding my line manager, and the area union rep has said he knows and I know this is personal!!

So to be honest Ive been feeling pretty Low, I think tomorrow is gonna be difficult, dealing with the smug looks from my line manager(i told you so looks), and a couple of the team who I dont get on with, but as I said to DH its got to the point now, that my health is more important that my job, Its been overspilling into my home life now, and thats something I need to put a stop to, maybe a few weeks away from the situation, might get me my fight back.

Jules

 

[kazzie]

Jules,

It is getting very stressful now

What ever happens tommorrow I think it is better to know exactly where you stand,and where to go from there

Good Luck xxx

 

[Truly]

This must be a very distressing situation for both yourself and the students concerned. What would happen if you offered a compromise....say, offered to take on these duties for a week, then all come back and review the situation - yourself, your line manager and the students? Then if you found it wasn't working out for any party, other resources could be put in place. I am also thinking of the distress that the students must be feeling, too.....if it were your child, you would not want them inconvenienced or made to feel "awkward", would you?

I hope it works out well for all of you. Best wishes for an early resolution to this problem.