Case Study: Investigation Bullying Investigation (Consultancy Firm) A personal assistant felt that she had “put up with” her boss’ rude behaviour towards her for long enough and complained that she saw it as bullying. Her earlier attempts to adjust his manner towards her had failed and she was now off sick with stress. Every time she recovered, the thought of going back to work was upsetting. She felt it was unfair that his behaviour was preventing her from doing a job which she otherwise enjoyed and considered she was good at. The situation was investigated, paying attention to any witnesses, emails, text and phone messages. Whilst the respondent’s main arguments were that his requests of his PA were reasonable and workrelated, the investigator considered that some of his behaviour represented a pattern of negative and unnecessary pressure, some at a very personal level. This seemed to have sensitised the PA such that she saw all his behaviour as threatening. The investigation did not uphold all the PA’s complaints - some were considered to be reasonable management, but it did uphold some. The investigation report was carefully written and helped the manager to see that some of his behaviour could usefully change and he accepted the offer of some personal coaching. The complainant was able to return to work with her confidence restored - both in herself and the company. In addition, the company offered some counselling support which she said afterwards had helped her to understand the effect this had had on her and how to resist unwelcome behaviour more successfully in the future. Please note that the names and organisations of the parties involved have been omitted for confidentiality purposes.
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