Layla's on the case: The bullying line manager

Posted by Layla Bunni in Employment law on Thu, 20/05/2010 - 09:39

Layla investigates real-life cases and brings the conclusions to HRzone.co.uk, shedding light on important employment law issues. This month: is a company under an obligation to take disciplinary action against a line manager for bullying when the complainant was intially happy with an apology but has now changed her mind?

The case:
An employee has raised a grievance against her line manager, alleging that he has been bullying her for a number of months. In accordance with the company's dignity at work policy, an investigation is carried out, and the findings are that the line manager has in fact been bullying and intimidating the employee. The outcome report also states that the belief is that there was no malice intended. HR arranges a meeting with the employee to discuss the outcome of the investigation. At the meeting, she indicates to HR that as long as her line manager apologises, and promises to change his ways, she is happy to continue working with him. 

The dignity at work policy states that if a complaint is substantiated, the disciplinary procedure will be invoked.

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Editor's Welcome

 

Hello! And welcome back as we enter 2012, with a busy year ahead of us all. With talk of double-dip recessions, a possible partial or even full break-up of the Eurozone and unemployment rates set to hit nearly 9%, topics such as organisational streamlining, staff resilience and talent management are likely to be on many an HR professional's lips over the next 12 months.
 
But to lighten the gloom here in the UK, we also have the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and its attendant public holidays to look forward to at the start of June. Followed by two weeks of Olympic Games from 27 July to 12 August and the Paralympics from 29 August to 9 September, each generating their own excitement, but also issues to work through for hard-pressed HR departments trying to sort out the multifarious staffing issues in advance.
 
So with an interesting but challenging year to come, HRZone promises to be with you, supporting you all the way and providing our usual insightful blend of news, analysis, community blogs and expert comment to help you sort the wheat from the chaff. As ever, we love to hear from you too so feel free to either post your words of wisdom to our blog section yourself or, in the case of longer, more in-depth ‘expert voice’ articles, drop me a line with any ideas to cath.everett@siftmedia.co.uk.....
 
Cath Everett
HRZone Editor 
 
 
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layla bunni on the case