A letter. Wk plce Hars'm'nt.

Any stories about work place harrasement?

Every day I'm getting harrased. And I love making beautiful kitchens.
But I don't like the apprentice being taught by the floor mangr that it's ok to disrespect an adult twice his age. :~

Just like to know of anyones daily trials and what they may have done to prevent it?

Just wanna be left alone to get on with my work. Gawwwddd if I could set myself up with a Hammer combo. After you read their catalouge you start to think of how your credit card is going :o

One off creations :;

I dont give a stuff about little Jhonny and his dinner invite list.
That's why I now mention it ha he. :harhar:

Cheers all.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rgum

Any stories about work place harrasement?

Every day I'm getting harrased. And I love making beautiful kitchens.
But I don't like the apprentice being taught by the floor mangr that it's ok to disrespect an adult twice his age. :~

Just like to know of anyones daily trials and what they may have done to prevent it?

Just wanna be left alone to get on with my work. Gawwwddd if I could set myself up with a Hammer combo. After you read their catalouge you start to think of how your credit card is going :o

One off creations :;

I dont give a stuff about little Jhonny and his dinner invite list.
That's why I now mention it ha he. :harhar:

Cheers all.

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Sorry? :? :? :? :? :?

speak to the manager,
if that don't fix it you only have 2 choices
start a war
or find another job

Speak to the apprentice "after work":wink:

Lignum.....Can't hurt the boy. Not his fault. Immpresionable....you know what I mean. :C
A foot up the ???? always works I reckon. Just have to give my boss one too.

Anyone had recent or some kind of EXP...Well????????

Cheers :2tsup:

Heavens forbid im not saying to go belt him:no: Just have a word and put him in his place.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lignum

Heavens forbid im not saying to go belt him:no: Just have a word and put him in his place.

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And what 'word' would you suggest:rolleyes:

Maybe the kid just don't know he is being offensive.
Or is the manager really the problem for inciting the kid

I told myself when I was still at school that I never wanted to be in a position where I was stuck in a job that I didn't enjoy. I've managed to stay true to that for most of my life, even during difficult circustances. Life is too short to spend almost a third of it not enjoying it. As far as I can see there's only two possible choices:
1. Leave
2. Fix the problem

2 might consist of talking to the apprentice, along ther lines of,"if you would like me to help you realise your potential as a tradesman then I expect certain behaviour" it might also consit of talking to the sales manager or even the general manager and explaining that the apprentice's behaviour and the sales manager's condoning of it is having an adverse affect on you and therefore, ultimately on the company bottom line.

Mick

It's not the apprentice who is the main prob but I'm offended that he learns that it's ok to be the monkey ( see and do).

I've had thinners squirted in my eye and been spat on , both most recently and often, by a boss ( part owner ) who I get on with reasonably well. I am the target of their ( 3 of them ) attention daily. Bloody sick of it. I've asked for nearly 3 yrs for it to stop.

Gee,..... where's my sense of humour?

Why should I leave? I will for a price. HELL..... I mean that too!

Sooooo......anyone had some crappy experiences at work? Ongoing?

I'm happy to be the target of some occaisional humour. Spread it around too! Not just me. Gawwwwwd. :~

Any good lawyers in Ubeaut? ha he. :o

Appreciate all comments thus far. Thanks

Cheers :2tsup:

you have let it go on too long, it won't stop.

Either get in touch with one of these groups, beat the crap out of them, or leave.

Either way you have lost the job.

Getting in touch with the authorities will probably get you some compensation as the bulling has been ongoing for 3 years.

Beating the crap out of them will prolly get you jailed, but will feel good.
If you are going down the bashing route, pick the biggest ugliest meanest looking one to do it to, and watch the others flee for their lives. :2tsup:

Al :)

That's one bridge you really want to burn. Get another job or go on a holiday and get your sanity back.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rgum

Sooooo......anyone had some crappy experiences at work? Ongoing?

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I worked in a factory some years ago, I was there for a cupla years and used to ride a bicycle home at lunch time.

Anyway, one day one of the blokes I worked with decided it was fun to slowly run me off the road in his car.
I asked him to stop it but he thought it was funny.

This happened for a week, next week he starts doing it again, so I got off the bike and kicked the kcuf out of the 2 door panels on the passenger side.

And ya know what, he stopped doing it,:doh: cost him a packet to get the panels fixed too.

He threatened he was going to tell the cops so I said fine, Ill come with you.
He didnt, and he never did it again. :U

Al :U

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lignum

Speak to the apprentice "after work":wink:

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An old bit of "councelling" behind the shed should set him straight.

Sorry rgum for my last post, I jumped in early
As Oz says deck the biggest one, I think along the same lines as Echnidna
it's been going on to long and your the "easy" target. change jobs brother, work should be fun
All the best Bro

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rgum

I've had thinners squirted in my eye

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:(( And the next time this or a similar incident happens, leave work, citing injury and see a doctor for treatment. Ensure the doctor is aware of how this situation arose, this will be recorded in a OH&S document to be submitted to workcover.
As soon as "your" Workcover (or equivalent) Gvt Dept receives this documentation they will be on your employers doorstep - and then the sh*t hits the fan for them!:2tsup:

:no: You really need to leave.:o

Instead of all this namby pamby stuff, why dont you just giving him crap and start messing with his tools and head.

Bullies, even apprentice bullies hate being challenged. Start by filling his lunch box up with some nice runny PVA and give him a sly wink over lunch:D

I reckon there's nothing more fun than bullying the bully... just put the ????? up them(outsmart them, no violence as it will make you look bad), they usually fold straight away because most people who bully others are insecure in the first place.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rgum

I've had thinners squirted in my eye and been spat on , both most recently and often, by a boss ( part owner ) who I get on with reasonably well. I am the target of their ( 3 of them ) attention daily. Bloody sick of it. I've asked for nearly 3 yrs for it to stop.

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rgum,
I'm no solicitor but I am managing a bullying and harassment case within an organisation I'm involved in at the moment.
Do not accept inappropriate behavior from anyone, there are regulations that protect employees as ozwinner said. Employers who condone bad behavior risk serious business disruption and cost if they ignore these matters.
I assume your employer does not have a employee complaints policy, if they do follow it. If not ask to see the senior manager/owner and lodge and informal complaint. Insist the manager carries out an investigation and engage the parties in mediation.
If that approach is not followed or fails lodge a formal complaint. That is in writing listing in as much detail on the incidences as possible, dates, those involved etc. The employer is then obliged to act and possibly call in an independent investigator who may recommend imposing penalties for those found to be engaged in harassment, including termination. In any event those involved will know your serious.
Final note if not handled correctly these cases usually end in tears and rarely have any winners. Handled properly an understanding can be reached and a far better workplace will be the outcome for all.
The bottom line is you should not have to leave!
Cheers Mike

Quote:

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:(( And the next time this or a similar incident happens, leave work, citing injury and see a doctor for treatment. Ensure the doctor is aware of how this situation arose, this will be recorded in a OH&S document to be submitted to workcover.

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rgum. As much as you love what you do, I dont think that staying in this particular workplace is going to be healthy for you physically or mentally.

The quiet option. Put out feelers, and try to get work somewhere else, I have heard that it is easier to get work if you are already working.

Any documentation you have, doctors reports etc, witnesses that will support you will all be helpful if you decide to make a big noise.

I did a google, and these links might have something to help you, even just a ph number so that you can talk to someone who knows about this stuff and can advise you.

http://www.vic.gov.au/sl/25485-Victo...workplace.html

http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/wps/...ence&p=Popular

Whatever you do, you shouldnt have to put up with this stuff.

It's gone on too long already.

You really need to get out of there. Life's too short to work with these sorts of di_kheads.

I had a situation in a large company where a senior manager physically accosted me by shaking my arm. Fortunately for me he was stupid enough to do this in front of about a 100 witnesses.

I walked downstairs and went to HR. Made a complaint and said that I wanted an apology. They were baffled that I didn't want him sacked. However, I knew this clown giving an apology would hurt even more than getting the sack.

In any event, he was "retrenched" some months later. Followed by me some twelve months later.

Moral of the story? You might get justice, but don't hang around anyway.

Hey

Maybe spend some time posting exactly whats gone on so that you can get some good advice from those here. Posts so far are a bit cryptic.

Give some specific examples of each in depth so that the full situation is known.

But seriously for your own health you must do something as a matter of priority. Perhaps go and see your gp in the morning.

good luck :2tsup:

As others have said. Document it, get some evidence than get out of there. After three years its too late, particularly in a smaller team. When you're out decide on the legal stuff. It would become hell if you were still there. I chopped the top of my finger off at one place and when I returned I was the pariah. Boss resented the compo, I left, he paid. No winners really,

Sebastiaan

I'd like to react violently but I will suffer as a result. In what ever way. Not the right path. :(
Gawwwwd Echidna! What a thing you did. Glad it solved the prob. :2tsup:

There's a HUGE culture of imaturity in factory working.
I've had my lunch taken and eaten in front of me.

Am I providing a laugh ? :no:

Morn tea biscuits I bring are stolen. Why should I have to hide anything? My own personal tools left all over the factory. My lockable tool box ripped open. Tools used.
Others who do these things encourage those who I work and see it as ok to join in. I wanna belt someone. Two people! :o But I then can't call in the solicitors.
I don't wanna leave.!!!!!!! :C
Management have basically ignored me. The current part owner is a lovely bloke who would never be in on it. So if I do bring a soliciter, he will suffer too. My dilema. Don't wanna hurt him. But I've also told him and!!!!! Nuthins been done grrrrrrrrr!

I feel it's gone too far to call in Work safe peoples. I don't wanna leave but if I'm forced too I want some future wages to live on and some compo. Because they put me in this position.
I'm asked " wheres your sense of humour ?" Yeah right.
Things have settled a little bit. But where they can, they still humiliate me in front of anyone even if that person has never met me.
I'm happy to get in on their fun. But I don't want to be a part of stupid things or be the only one to be targeted.


I do not subscribe to this American maddness of litigation for really stupid things just for the sake of getting some money. Sorry to any offended! :B

Has anyone been to a tribunal? A hearing. Anyone know someone who has??????



On Brighter note..................


......yesterday I got my new Hammer cattledog. Yay. C3 - 31.....
I hope. Saving...saving...saving. Gawwwdd I can't wait. But I gotta go to Portland .....fishing....soooo hanging out to go. Xmas time.
Thankyou for your replys. :2tsup:

Take a spare lunch with something unsavoury inside it, maybe a cockroach. Leave it on the lunchroom table in plain view.

Take along some TimTams laced with a good laxative.

Fill your drink bottle with salt water and enough soft drink to colour it.

Keep some pet Huntsmen in your toolbox. If they die, put them in a sandwich.

As for the 'lovely bloke', part owner. If he was truly a good bloke he would look after his workers by getting off his bum and doing something. It is his responsibility to provide a safe and reasonable workplace.

From the stuff you've described I might look elsewhere for work. One day someone will take them to the cleaners for their work practices and bullying and you know what they will say

"No-one ever complained about this before!".

The only way to handle it is legally

otherwise you will get left holding the bag of poo

Contact Ozwinners links and go from there.

The boss must be a real nice bloke
- he just lets it happen
- so IT IS HIS FAULT.

and start looking for a job in a better place

btw its not litigation for stupid things -
YOU REALLY ARE BEING ILLEGALY HARASSED
its not a joke gone wrong
YOU REALLY ARE BEING ILLEGALY HARASSED

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rgum

...and been spat on , both most recently and often, by a boss ( part owner ) who I get on with reasonably well.

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I would hate to see what happens when you dont get on with someone. This is the point it should have stopped. If someone spat on me, well...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Groggy

As for the 'lovely bloke', part owner. If he was truly a good bloke he would look after his workers by getting off his bum and doing something.

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Real nice bloke ey! Dont be sucked in rgum, he is as weak as you know what. Take all the sick days owing and go look for a better job. There are heaps out there.

Also, i wouldnt go the legal way. Even though you are in the right, the furniture industry is a small place, and once you are known as someone who has gone down that path it could limit future employment

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rgum

The current part owner is a lovely bloke who would never be in on it.

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A Comprimise would be to go to the part owner and tell him that you are being put into a position you dont wish to be in. Explain that you like him, but what is happening is ILLEAGAL, and if it continues you will have no option but to contact the workcover authorities. Let him know he is the only reason you havent already gone to the autorities. Maybe even point him to this thread and see what has been said here about what you could have done.

Basically make it sound like you are doing him a favour, let him know the cost it will involve if it continues. The problem will be solved I guarantee you (They wont like it hitting their hip pocket nerve).

The reason I am saying this is I was in a position where I was being treated like dirt by my imediate senior, and did nothing. It got so bad I ended up on medication just to go to work.... Dont let it go that far. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, if you dont nothing will ever happen, except it will get worse. (I solved it by getting a better job eventually, but way too late, and others suffered after me. The person was then redeployed after conplaints)

My supervisor used to pick on every mistake I made even though they were insignificant. Typo's and other silly things and he'd bag my work in front of colleagues. It got to a point where I overheard a conversation between him and another worker and he was talking about a problem with a job and she said "Because mick ....."
He said "no, nothing to do with mick" but it distressed me greatly, so I stood up and said can you please come into the meeting room, we need to talk.
I outlined to him my problem and that given I still work here, my work must be satisfactory. He told me that it was and that he hadn't realised the effect of his sarcasm and smart alec remarks. He apologised and has since modified his behavior.
It may not help, but I understand how workplace bullying affects you and I hope you reach a happier environment sooner rather than later.

Its been my experiance in the past that when you make a "formal" complaint to relivant gov depts ......the "nice bloke" gets real ugly, and will without a doubt cover his own behind and support the MAJORITY....not the minority ( you)...thus your problem would be two fold .....

work place bullying does have another effect you may not be aware of .....traumatic stress .....this can play a big part in your life without you knowing it .....so I suggest you look it up and check the symptoms just to be safe ....

as others have said, you do NOT have to put up with it,and gov depts working as slow as they do, you would probably find yourself a bit outcast at work once you start the ball rolling ......you will work in silence thats for sure .....and the boss will probably pick fault in your work etc ....but he cannot sack you.....(without good reason) for fear of validating your claim.... it takes guts to work there under those conditions, and it would take guts to take it further ...but .......BEFORE you do ......send your boss a letter by registered mail and make a photocopy of the letter .....outline the problem and your plan of action should it continue ....and give it 7 days ......if it does not resolve .....then go and complain officially ....they will ask you what you did to resolve this yourself ...hence what I just said .........proof is what they want .....hearsay can be denied ....good luck

Quote:

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Originally Posted by manoftalent

......send your boss a letter by registered mail and make a photocopy of the letter .....outline the problem and your plan of action should it continue ....and give it 7 days .....

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This is excellent advice. It forces them to respond. If they ignore it, there are a number of things which will be assumed. Above all, that they condone the behaviour or do not consider it to be serious.

My advice would be not to make any ultimatums. Just ask that the behaviour stop. The rest can follow in due course. But put it in writing.

I actually cannot believe you have been so controlled. If someone spat on me or put thinners in my eye, I would not have been writing any letters. But I doubt that they would do it me for that very reason. You are being targeted because they consider you an easy target. That's what bullies do.

What they have done to you is actually a criminal offence. If it happens again, your local doctor followed by a visit to the police can be a very effective remedy to the problem. You need not proceed with a prosecution, but they will certainly think twice about doing anything to you.

Fight back, not necessarily with your fists.

PS. Your boss is an a hole.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by boban

PS. Your boss is an a hole.

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:exactly:

rgum,

I think we all agree that something must change. It is not fair on you, your family or friends to have you being so stressed. You are not doing yourself or anyone else any favours by continuing to be bullied.

You seem intent on staying at this work place - ask yourself why. There are many other places our mate rgum can earn a dollar without being subjected to bullying.

Obviously you do not want this to continue so I think either the work place changes or you change work places.

Whatever choice you make, ensure it is for your long term benefit and not just a short term revenge however sweet it may seem.

Remember that you have a lot of mates here who are genuinely concerned and want the best for you.

If you read an identical thread by another person, what advice would you give them?

Keep your head up mate, you have identified the problem and all you have to do now is make a choice from many good options. Your problem is as good as solved.

I had a little bit of harassment at work, when I was a first year apprentice. Nothing serious, nothing harmful but pretty annoying. Mainly from one guy.

I wanted to leave, the boss wouldn't let me saying that if I did go, I wouldn't be working for anyone else. Me, being in a right state (18 years old, and terrified) didn't say anything but a stupid "ok..."

However, the boss put me to work with other guys, and life became much more tolerable. Enough so that I stuck it out, got my ticket and stayed on for a few more years.

Once the boss knew something was amiss, he did something about it, even if he did not realize exactly what was going on.

A few years later, he found out exactly what was going on between me and the mongrel who was giving me trouble, and apologized for being a bit of a 'sharp object', and if he had known exactly what was going on, he wouldn't have made it right there and then.

In the end, he looked after me pretty well. Not money wise, but respect wise. Enough so that if he is in business, I still have a job there.

The mongrel settled down after being told that what he was doing wasn't right, and might earn the distinction of being sacked, a rarity in that company (only one in 30 odd years I think), and in the end I had a little leverage over him, as did most other guys. I think he had a little bit of a small man complex, and took it out on others rather than just getting over it.


What was he doing to me that was so bad? :?

At the time, it wasn't great, but looking back now (and after Rgum's nightmare) it wasn't too much to get upset about.

Things like being dragged to a job, tools in hand, working for the day and told to find my own way home. Ended up having to walk home, about 10km since no buses on that January day...

Being told to run rather than walk/dogtrot from place to place because he was too lazy/stupid to remember something.

Given jobs to do that I didn't know how to do, with little instruction, and then told off for either fouling it up, asking too many questions or not doing it at all.

Etc, etc. Like I said, nothing too serious, but enough that life became pretty miserable.

I can't imagine how someone with thinner skin than me would have dealt with it.


Rgum, Manoftalent has good ideas there, as in making absolutely sure the head honcho knows what is going on, and making them either put up or suffer the consequences. You have to get this garbage to stop, and you have to make sure that you do everything you can to assist that happening.

If you don't do anything, then it would seem you are happy enough to keep on taking it. :(

Good luck, and DO something!

You have talked to your bosses about the bullying and nothing has happened.

How about giving the bosses your points in writing?

If nothing happenes after eg a month, (edit - actually, one week is long enough) then you might be able to make a case of vicarious liability http://www.adcq.qld.gov.au/Brochures07/vicarious.html

Keep a diary. The more documented evidence you have, the easier it will be to have something done about the situation.

Why do you stay and take this s&^%$? Have you become so used to it, that it's easier to stay as you know what it's like? Are you so comfortable being in this job that you are prepared to be mistreated every single day? How deep in a rut can you be?

You've taken the first few steps :2tsup: - acknowledging that you don't want to put up with it anymore, you've talked to the bosses but they have been &*^*%^% and need their own *(&^& kicked, so what are you going to do next and when??? when you get so badly hurt by one of their bullying sessions that you end up in hospital??

What advice would you give to someone in your situation? Are you prepared to take your own advice?

Here's one link I've found. Maybe other forumites might have some helpful links to organisations or information.
http://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/Home.asp


Hope you don't mind me playing angel's advocate:rolleyes: , but I can't stand :(( situations like this.

Wendy

i agree with boban, your boss is an a hole. U must be a ultra-dope to put up with that sort of stuff for 3 yrs. U must have a "hit me" stapled to your forehead.

seek legal advice, document everything, sue the bastards. get a new job, if u dont your a boofhead...

Hi rgum

spent today thinking about your problem while digging holes for fence posts. :rolleyes:

This is my advice for what its worth. :)

1. Type up exactly what has happened and how it effects you. Name each person who has done what. Be specific, dont exaggerate, name witnesses, time and dates as close as you can remember.

2. Type up a covering letter to each of the offenders, the boss, the bosses boss, workcover (in your state) and the minister (it is a govt job isnt it :? ). In this letter explain that thier actions are making you sick (depressed/angry whatever is occuring) and will not be tolerated. Any further actions will result in the matter being referred as a formal complaint to workcover or HREOC and also to your solicitor (grab one from the phonebook :wink: ) and the police in the case of an assault. Note on each letter that they have been carbon copied (cc'd) to the others.

3. Without warning walk up to the offenders and tell them they are wanted in the boss office and walk over to the boss. Hand each of them thier letter and walk out. They will open them, go what the &*^&^, read them, &^^& themselves and in a short while the boss will call you back in to his office to discuss it. Make sure you have already posted the others and tell them that.

4. See what happens. Cant be any worse really.

The beauty in this is that you negate the "we were just having fun and thought he liked it" arguement that is used often if you report it later.

And forget the compo line as there is nothing to compensate unless you are injured and thats the worst thing that can happen as it can destroy your life.

good luck :2tsup:

There has been a lot of well meaning advice here:2tsup: and as i have said previously i wouldnt go legal because the furniture industry is small and gossip travels "very" fast and even though you are in the right, having been involved in a dispute dosnt go down well with prospective new employers. Plus how do you explain how you left your last place of employment? You will get the 'Thanks, we will be in touch" routine

Having said that, if you do take it further, contact this mob. You will get all the advice that is needed:)

http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/wps/wc...place+Disputes

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dazzler

......................And forget the compo line as there is nothing to compensate unless you are injured and thats the worst thing that can happen as it can destroy your life.............

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I'm no lawyer, but I'd have to disagree with that, I'm sure you could (if you had the inclination) sue for mental anguish or whatever the term is.

Mick