Survivor of bullying at work speaks out

Editorial Department • Published 4 Mar 2010 12:55 Comments 1 Comment

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Dear Sir, - In light of recent allegations surrounding Gordon Brown and accusations of bullying, I feel I need to write about my experience.

Bullying does not only occur in the offices of government or in our schoolyards but as I experienced in a small, local, professional business.

I was employed recently in a good job, that I enjoyed and worked well in but thanks to my employer, the working environment soon became a living nightmare.

Initially, I got on well with my employer but after a few months, I gradually began to feel a resentment and dislike of me creeping into our working relationship.

Things got progressively worse and soon I felt victimised, harassed and was often spoken down to in front of other members of staff. I was very obviously not included in staff meetings and even ignored at teatimes.

My lunch hour was spent in my car. It got to the point I had to watch everything I said or did and I felt I was always walking on eggshells as my employer turned out to be a Jekyll and Hyde type character.

My work deteriorated as the threads of depression and despair began to take over my mind. I could not afford to give up my job at that time and I foolishly tried to work on.

As a result of all this stress and strain my health deteriorated considerably.

I could not function on even the most basic level, I couldn't eat, I lost a considerable amount of weight, couldn't sleep and felt constantly ill with apprehension and worry.

I did try on several occasions to talk my boss but was rebuffed and humiliated and his other staff confirmed that he wanted me out of his employment.

Eventually on the advice of my doctor, I had to quit my job. I was on a variety of medication and also had to see a counsellor on a regular basis. My confidence and self-esteem had gone completely and I needed help to deal with the intense feeling of hatred I had developed for this individual, a feeling that went to the core of my being.

Slowly but surely over the next few months I started to get my life back together again and I have a lot of people to thank for that.

However, forgiveness is still a long way off. I still find it difficult to drive by my former place of work without getting that sinking, gut wrenching feeling.

This vindictive bully got away with this and even though I was advised to bring it further, my health couldn't take it. I had to make a clean break.

I have comfort in knowing that one day, this individual will have to meet his maker and as he is fully aware of his actions, I hope he can fully atone and explain himself.

I would love people to know that underneath that jovial, caring professional, lies the heart of a vicious, uncaring bully.

So bullying is not just limited to Westminster but can also be found in, of all places, a successful, local professional business.

Yours faithfully,

A Bullying Survivor

This letter appeared in Impartial Reporter 04 Mar 10

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Pamela Carlin
Unregistered User
Mar 18, 13:34
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I read the Bullying Survivors story with great interest and sympathy. It then made me think about another case that went to an Employment Tribunal on a race discrimaintion case - the ex employee was compensated to a considerable amount of money. The company in question based in Mallusk now potentially faces losing substanital contracts to do with the public sector. This is a warning to employers - discrimainte your employees at your peril but if it is found in an Employmnet Tribunal that you have you may not be eligible to apply for government contracts as this is considered as part of the bid. Employers - do your job effectivley stamp out this type of behaviour before it starts!

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