I want to complain at work!

[DanDare]

I want to complain at work to my bosses about the attitude of a colleague, however as the baird would say lies the rub! She is the only female in my team and will undoubtly pull the ' sexual discrimination' strings!

Now it annoys me that I shouldn't because of this fact but I cannot stand working with this person and I'm not alone, several people feel the same way.

She has the annoying habit of making out she is the victim and flirting with the powers that be which then turns the tables on us.

I just know I'll get the label of being a sexist and its really bugging me!

So the question I often ask is: What what a fellow Orger do?

[Baph]

Approach a couple of your collegues that feel the same about this person, and ask them, if you were to make an official complaint, would they open their mouths & back you up?

If the answer is positive, make the complaint in writing to your boss (that way they definately have to act on it), and mention in the letter that it's come to your attention that several other people feel the same as you do. Although don't drop anyone in it, when asked as to whom, just tell your boss that you'll speak to those people to get them to come forward to the boss.

That way, you keep the trust of other collegues because it's them coming forward, not being questionned about it.

[gettin2dizzy]

What are they doing wronG?

[Baph]

What are they doing wronG?
They smell.

[gettin2dizzy]

All girls smell

[Baph]

All girls smell
Yeah, but most smell nicely.

*runs before the mods bring out the big stick...*

[Camel]

Rather than just complain, or complain in writing.....start to keep a log of all the incidents that occur, writing down what was said, how it was said, who is affected by it, etc.

Then you have.......EVIDENCE!!

Also, do you have a HR dept you can speak to?

[sarah]

are you a member of a union?

[Ed]

Complain. You should be able to stand on your own feet.

[DanDare]

One of my problems is my boss is unlikely to do anything about it as he doesn't want to be had for bullying or harrassment.

It also doesn't help the fact that having a female admist its ranks is good for publicity.

I think its widely known she is a trouble maker but nobody wants to make the first move. And what is worse is is rumoured she is fraternising with certain managers.

[G]

Keep records, build up a portfolio, get other member of staff on your side to confirm/sign the evidence.

Get a good case against her, make it known from the start that none of it is based on sexism or any other thing that can be thrown at you and go from there.

[Ed]

One of my problems is my boss is unlikely to do anything about it as he doesn't want to be had for bullying or harrassment.

It also doesn't help the fact that having a female admist its ranks is good for publicity.

I think its widely known she is a trouble maker but nobody wants to make the first move. And what is worse is is rumoured she is fraternising with certain managers.

You need to complain in line with the grievance process. If your line manager lacks the balls to do anything about it, then complain to the next one up. And so on.

[sarah]

join a union

[Baph]

One of my problems is my boss is unlikely to do anything about it as he doesn't want to be had for bullying or harrassment.


By not doing anything for a legitimate claim, your boss is opening the door for you to claim constructive dismissal. Even more so if your boss is one of those fratanising with the woman in question.

Maybe that's worth mentioning when you chat to your boss?

[Jools'SV Now]

I had a similar situation.

My single female boss was way too friendly with her boss to make a complaint to him, about her, worth making. (still with me?)

so i went straight to the top and it all came tumbling down from a great height.

Doing this also highlighted to the big bosses that I had no confidence in my line managers to deal with anything - so they got a well deserved kick in the pants too.

Many people don't speak up for fear of being branded a whiner or trouble maker - when actually you're not making the trouble - you're trying to sort it out.
Plus you've also shown you're not to be messed with. ;)

Think of it this way. If you were doing what she's doing, would she complain about you?:smt045

You will need documented evidence, otherwise it's word against word and you wont stand a chance.

all the best

[Camel]

You've not said if you have a HR person - but if you have, I would invite them to any meetings that may take place too.

[Kate Moss]

does she flirt with you?

[svpilot]

All good advice, but one question remains...


Is she fit?

[DanDare]

Yes, she once flirted with me and got an extremely cold reception as well.

I rang my supervisor, who only this morning had a similar complaint from someone else. He has spoken to the boss who is old school and won't take crap. He has arranged a meeting to discuss said problems and if I feel strongely enough to put it in writing.

So long as I follow the correct procedures I should be Ok, although I hate being a winger but it is getting me down.

I'm not sure what I'm expecting or aiming to achieve, I am told she has had a telling off before but it seems it hasn't affected her.

You can't sack people for having a bad attitude!

[DanDare]

All good advice, but one question remains...


Is she fit?

Not really, got a butter won't melt in her mouth look.

[northwind]

And what is worse is is rumoured she is fraternising with certain managers.

Ah, so you ARE a sexist then ;) Just kidding, but if she's disliked and the only woman then it's no wonder there's rumours like this, they might be true or they might not but you've got to wonder where they started.

[DanDare]

Ah, so you ARE a sexist then ;) Just kidding, but if she's disliked and the only woman then it's no wonder there's rumours like this, they might be true or they might not but you've got to wonder where they started.

Ok they're not rumours, they are true! She has been seen with at least 4 members of staff, 3 are supervisors.

[seedy100]

I'm not sure what I'm expecting or aiming to achieve, I am told she has had a telling off before but it seems it hasn't affected her.

Get this sorted out before you go into writing or any meetings.

You need to present a clear statement of the problem, the evidence that you have that the problem really exists, and what you would find a satisfactory resolution (but keep it proportional!)

In the abscence of any of these you will come across as a whinger.
With them all in place you come across as genuinly concerned, organised and reasonable. It also has the effect of removing the managers option to "have a word with her" ie cop out.

HTH

[Foxy]

You need to complain in line with the grievance process. If your line manager lacks the balls to do anything about it, then complain to the next one up. And so on.
If you do it in line with the Grievance process then you will have to have someone present whenever you speak to her(or not as the case may be)/she speaks to you. All conversations will be documented with a witness present, I believe with someone of your choosing. Read into your company policy for the Grievance Process, it can be long and drawn out. It depends how far you want to go. As for the smell you could just place a bottle of shower gel and deodorant on her desk when she isn't looking and she might take the hint...

[SV-net]

Dan do you work for a large company?

[kitkat]

just get to your boss and stop whispering in corners about her, she is more likely to have grounds for complaint if she cottons on that it is her you are all talking about. take charge and I bet the other wusses will just follow you. good luck