>> In Work or Training >> Guide to Rights & Responsibilities >> Bullying at Work

If you think your employer or someone you work with is treating you unfairly, you may be being bullied.

Are you being treated in any of the following ways?:

• You are good at your job but you think you are being unfairly judged, given unimportant things to do or having responsible jobs taken away from you.

• Being picked on by someone in front of others or in private.

• Always being shouted at.

• Being given too much work to do and not enough time to do it in.

• Always being ignored or left out of activities at work.

• Having to listen to rude or personal comments about yourself.

• Being made to feel nervous or frightened.

What you can do about the bullying:

• If you can, talk to the bully. Tell them calmly that you don't like the way they are treating you and ask them to stop, this often puts an end to the bullying.

• Tell a friend or someone you trust. You may find that other people feel that they are being bullied too.

• Use a diary to make a note of everything that happens. This can be used to tackle the bully. Everything together in your diary will look more important than one or two examples, which are easier to ignore.

• Keep the original diary yourself - it's your evidence. Use a photocopy to show to your boss. If your boss is the bully then tell their manager.

• If you tell someone in charge they must do something about the bullying or they will be breaking the law.

• If you're in a union, tell your union rep. It is their job to advise and support you. If you are not in a union find out about joining one.

• If you have to make an official complaint, you will have to go through the company's grievance procedure (their complaints system). Don't go to any meeting without a union rep or a friend to act as a witness.

You can get advice from:

Bullying Online
www.bullying.co.uk

The TUC (Trade Union Congress)
www.tuc.org.uk

T: 0113 242 9696

or
Worksmart
www.worksmart.org.uk

Government policy on bullying
www.education.gov.uk/schools/pupilsupport/behaviour/bullying