Comments on: Bullying at Work: Wrap-up

By: Bret L. Simmons

Bret L. Simmons — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:54:41 +0000

You’d be surprised how much this subject resonates with so many people. Sadly, bullying is way too common. Thanks. Bret

By: matt gardner

matt gardner — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 18:00:39 +0000

its not a subject that I have put much time into thinking about but it is a very valid one.

Thanks for the good thoughts, I will keep this in mind as I move forward.

By: Bret L. Simmons

Bret L. Simmons — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:36:08 +0000

No easy answers to your question, Kim. Let your attorneys do what they can to help your legal issues and then move on, get with others to help with the personal and professional issues. thanks for sharing! Bret

By: Bret L. Simmons

Bret L. Simmons — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:34:28 +0000

Thanks for helping out with this, Lucy! Bret

By: lucy

lucy — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 22:53:49 +0000

i know exactly what you are feeling because im going through the very same thing its hard when you want to stay at the work place because you enjoy the work but when bullying sets in its hard to enjoy the work

By: kim

kim — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 21:06:55 +0000

hi I’m currently out of work at the moment I used to work in a large legal corporation in SYDNEY,I was the subject of bullying in the workplace I made a workcover claim but the insurance -allianz laughed at me, I still haven’t got anywhere with it.I haven’t been to work since 31st july 2010, the doctor was the one who said he was obliged to submit the claim as the bullying got to the extent that my health was severely affected. Work sacked me two days after my birthday and one day after I met with HR and manager- they said at the meeting we won’t sack you but for operational reasons the pro bono solicitor needs assistance and they interrogated me as to when I can return- I told them I want to return to work but am unsure of the exact date,( I took a support person with me to the meeting,i was crying)I gave them my doctors phone number so they could phone him, as i said to them I’m seeing my doctor regularly and he is thinking of admitting me to hospital if i don’t improve- with my depression and anxiety. A day later they couriered a letter to me by hand terminating me and on my separation certificate they said i had made no workers comp claim ( which is false) and that i was unsuitable for this type of work I was admin started there in phillip street sydney in 2007 as a volunteer for my law studies, i completed the practical training and they offered me a paid job in 2008 but i still to this day have not been able to get them to sign me off on my placement voluntary work( but thats another problem I have to deal with)i have had good performance reviews and even got a pay rise, can they do this and get away with it because they are lawyers and a large corporation and can i go unfair dismissal?? I’m very confused and upset, it has happened to others but they resigned but i didn’t want to do that, i don’t know my options left for me now as I have never experienced anything in my working life like this before and I guess i didn’t expect a large organisation that is a legal one to be so nasty. can you pls advise.

By: Bret L. Simmons

Bret L. Simmons — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:45:12 +0000

HR is correct, but they are also a bunch of cowards. If your boss ever asks about your personal life, politely refuse to talk about it. If he asks why, tell him frankly that you are a private person and you would appreciate him respecting that privacy. Keep very careful documentation. The things he is asking about could get to the point where they do cross a legal line if you are female and your boss is male. If it gets even close to that point, get an attorney, get informed, and be prepared to protect your rights. Thanks for the question! Bret

By: Anon

Anon — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:31:48 +0000

What about your boss making comments on your personal life – for instance who you should and should not be friends with outside of work, your marital status, etc.

I spoke to HR and they told me they could not do anything about it since my boss did not technically do anything illegal.

By: Bret L. Simmons

Bret L. Simmons — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:39:19 +0000

Sarah, everything you just said I would consider an example of bullying. Your boss is an asshole (see Bob Sutton’s excellent book “The No Asshole Rule”). But you are in a good position because you seem to see this clearly and you appear to be honest with yourself. You are responsibile for your behavior and your choices and how that affects your health and your family. Find some people to work for that will appreciate your hard work. Thank you for the question, Sarah! Bret

By: Bret L. Simmons

Bret L. Simmons — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:34:39 +0000

My advice would be the same. Do your homework on the issue, talk to friends and family, get professional advice (Lawyer, clergy), have your documentation in order, start saving your money, and dust off your resume. Eventually, you need to talk to the boss. If things never get better, I personally would move on. Never a simple issue. Thanks for the question! Bret