Workplace bullying/harrasment.

[Ava&Jacksons_Mumma]

Hi everyone i'm after some advice for my dad.

BACKGROUND HISTORY:
- My dad was abandoned by his mother.
- Placed in state care.
- Abused & molested in state care.
- Was homeless from ages 14-18.
- Became addicted to drugs in his late 20's mid 30's.
- Spent about 8 years of my life in jail (on and off).
- Suffers from post traumatic stress disorders.

Since my dad was realeased from jail, he has tried so hard to rehabilitate himself and work.
My dad has worked for the past 9 years at the same company. During the last 2 of those years he has been bullied & harassed.
Harrasment included: "workmates calling my dad junkie, the union rep has been harrassing him instead of looking after his best interests.
During a training session everybody was asked to stand up and introduce themselves and share some info on their lives.
My dad stood up and said "My name is ___, i have 3 grown up children & 3 grandchildren" at this point someone yelled out "i'm suprised there not in jail" my dad then looked to the union rep for support and was told " what, you can't handle the truth- soft co!k.
He left and went home.
Another incident is that he has been watched continously while he is in the showers at work, its the same group of men- who know he has been taking annual leave in order to go to the mullighan enquiry ( what molested person wants to be watched in the shower??).

Later that night he got a call from the big boss at work rediculing him.

I know that this doesn't sound like much but my dad is such a hardworking person, he goes to work and his treated like he is nothing due to circumstances in his life.

He is off work on stress leave & is suicidal. He feels like he is tainted (from being molested) and will never be treated as an equal.

I'm after some advice, he is 4 weeks away from recieving his long service leave ($10K) but he can't go to work because of his mental health issue. He is worried he could do something very very stupid to one of the bullies.
What avenues could my dad work through in relation to procescuting the bullies, union reps etc?
Is there anyway he could recieve the long service leave without suing them?

TIA, I hope this makes sense.
:gloomy:

[WarriorMummy]

i have no advice but i do want to say one thing

you wrote that it doesnt sound like much- it sounds like alot!!

no one should be harrassed and/or bullied- its disgusting

have you tried calling legal aid and getting advice from them?

[halloweenmum]

Hi,
take a look at this link which has info and contact numbers for persons experiencing workplace bullying in Australia.

http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/oz.htm


Can I also suggest that your dad tries to have someone like a social worker assist him. Centrelink offer a free social worker service and he doesnt have to be receiving the dole to access them, its a free service to anyone in australia. Their social workers are specifically trained to deal with this type of stuff and suicidal persons. Good luck.:hugs:

[HunterzMummy]

That brings tears to my eyes... IT is truley heart breaking.

My first point of call would be to the union boss. The managment NEED to be aware of there dispicable employees actions. Now if this is not speedily delt with. I would be getting a lawyer or phoning legal aid to get advice and or write a letter stating that if this is not dealt with it WILL be taken futhur.

OR write the boss/HR a letter formally complaining about the behaviour and mention acurrent afair :p and your local MP and i forget the title but the MP who looks after workers.

But above all else your dad needs some counselling. No one can be expected to carry the burdens of there past and it not effect them.

Good luck.. and keep us posted with what happens.

[spoon]

:hugs::hugs::hugs:Thank god he has you hun, he is very blessed indeed. I hope you are all okay.

I am not sure what state you are in but in NSW I would be saying to tell him to stay on stress leave and wait it out. He could call industrial relations and get them investigated and charge.

I just found some info from reachout who I know usually deal with youth issues but I think this info still applies.
:hugs::hugs::hugs:


http://www.reachout.com.au/default.asp?ti=1666

[MooMum]

:iagree: with all. Take care.

[bAaM]

OMG that is just discusting, you poor poor dad:crying:

I would suggest he rings the actually union and report that rep, that is so wrong in so many ways.

Second i would get him to go to the doctor and get a medical cert for the next 4-5 weeks for more stress leave and once he has that long service leave i would be out of there so quick.

Its not fair, they say you do the crime you do the time yes but you do the time, you get another shot, and he has done the right thing.

I hate how selfish and judgmental ppl can be its irritates the begebers out of me, make me :banghead:

NO ONE but the person who has lived it can know the full story behind onces life and actions.

:hugs: For your poor Dad

[spoon]

NO WAY:no:Dont cantact the workplace or the union, contact somebody externally and get them to deal with these people. That is not just a bit of bullying that is very severe from what you are saying. If you cantact those people they will do what they need to, to exploit your father and that would be completely unjust.

[Ava&Jacksons_Mumma]

Thank you so much for all your responses.
It's so nice to hear not everyone in the world judges others based on their past.

I only learnt yesterday whats been happening at my dads work, he asked me to make him a resume because he wants a better job, one where he is valued.
So yesterday he came to pick it up, he has just finished with the physchologist (they tried hypno-therapy e.g you will be fine to work, everything at work will work out).

Anyways when he got here, i asked him what actually happening at work- when he told me, i started crying.
What grown man would bully another person to the point of suicide??.

I love my dad so much, he's had such a hard life & i want him to be treated with respect like any other human deserves.

I don't think he would qualify for legal aid, but i will talk to DF about giving my parents some money to take this to court.

[spoon]

I would still check out the legal aide option, also some welfare charities may have legal centers he could use.

Here are a list of lawyers in SA that you could ring and find out about. They may not even charge initially, :hugs:

I know about a few boys that were living a life similar to your dads a few years ago when I was working for Mission Australia. Sadly it is not uncommon.

[spoon]

Sorry, forgot the linkhttp://www.findlaw.com.au/wld/search.asp?pa=17&jd=4&search=Find+a+Lawyer&voyager=Lawyers&site=GN

[WarriorMummy]

even if he isnt ellegible for legal aide he can still call and get free advice

[Ava&Jacksons_Mumma]

even if he isnt ellegible for legal aide he can still call and get free advice

thank you, i didn't know that :)

[Mumtotwokids]

His workplace should have a policy on how it deals with bullying in the workplace. Within this it should state what a person who feels as though they have been a victim of bullying should do. (and your father has definitely been bullied) If he has tried these avenues and they still have not done anything to recetify the situation then it may support his case in any legals arise.

NOBODY deserves to work in an environment where they feel 'unsafe' in any form.

If he does not feel comfortable speaking to the union rep / HR or his direct supervisor about this or these avenues have been tried and found to be limiting, then he should speak to a doctor about stress leave - especially since he seems to be at the end of his tether.

Best of luck with for your father. It can be extremely stressful situation for him to be in.

What ever happened to Australia's motto of a 'fair go for all' ????

[MooMum]

What ever happened to Australia's motto of a 'fair go for all' ????


Clearly the ba*%$@ds he works with are weak, unintelligent, heartless, spineless so and so's who feel picking on someone else will save their bacon, regardless of how it makes this poor man feel. It boils my blood that humans treat each other this way :banghead:

[SixtiesChild]

I felt so sad reading about your dad's hardships that I had to reply.
I think it's smart of your dad not to return their cruel insults & It's a good thing that he has you to keep an eye on him. :thumbsup:
Please tell your dad to hang in there. He'll find a better place to work where the people are more professional and there are better opportunities for him. :)

[Ava&Jacksons_Mumma]

Just a quick update on my Dad for those who are interested :).
Well he resigned from his job & the company has paid out his long service leave- which is great.

Now he has the problem of finding a new job at the age of 53! which is causing a lot of anxiety in itself. But i'm confident for him- he has a lot of skills and is a hard worker.

He has been seeing the psychologist every monday but he is very hesitant about going on meds for his post traumatic shock but i'm sure things will get better.

Thanks to all those who replied with kind wishes and advice :goodvibes:

[spoon]

I think that there will be something great out there for him, it is good that he did not just sit there and take it. Wish you and your family a bright new year.

[MountainGirl]

thats great:)

my advice was that he should get his long service payment and then resign,... he will find other work.:yes::thumbsup:

no one needs to put up with that.

[Mumtotwokids]

Fantastic outcome.
:):yelclap:
Great to hear you're dad's doing follow up treatment.

Have a great Christmas.

[Ava&Jacksons_Mumma]

Final Update :)
Just letting those who replied & were concerned that my dad did find another job :yelclap:.

He is now earning more and in a better workplace environment.
My dads old workplace has now also hired 2 full time people to do the job that he was doing on his own!.

He will likely be receiving compensation this year in reagards to his abuse during his childhood- so i really hope its enough for my mum & dad to both retire.

:goodvibes:

[sunnyflower]

:yelclap:yay for your dad.

i hope the people that were nasty to him get theirs:no:

[GabberQueeN83]

such good news for ya dad!!!!!

iam so happy he likes his new job he deserves to be happy :yes: