Wednesday - 19 November 2008
Opinion
Sexual banter in the workplace is something I take quite seriously (Recruiter, Letters, 23 July). I had a bad experience of this, and I feel passionately about ensuring that others take the right action to stamp out all of the bullies. I'm not anti the opposite sex or having fun in the workplace but too few true stories about what actually happens are being shared. We're all too scared to upset someone or be seen as a tell-tale, or be accused of being over dramatic.
I endured more than a year of harassment in the form of sexual banter from my ex-boss and ultimately made a complaint when the banter progressed to harassment.
Making that decision to make a formal complaint is the hardest choice I have had to make. You have to weigh up the consequences, and I believe that there isn't enough support available if you make a complaint. It's often seen as embarrassing or something that isn't discussed. However, I believe if you have made the decision to make a complaint — regardless of your sex — then it should be taken seriously.
My complaint was upheld after a very long and uncomfortable investigation, and due to employee protection I was not informed of the sanctions taken. But I can say that the person I complained about continued in his high-level director position with very little change in his behaviour.
Following the complaint I found it extremely difficult to continue in my role, and the board (all male) made it very clear they were not impressed by the fact that I had taken the official line on the complaint. It was only a matter of time before the sidelining started.
Looking back and knowing then what I know now, I would probably have handled the situation differently and not been as amicable about the complaint, but at the time I loved my job (and would have carried on working there).
The recommendation I would make to anyone who is suffering at the hands of these business bullies is that you need to make a stand — regardless of your sex.
Nicki Brady, director, Amba Appointments
Letters... Sexual banter: not just harmless fun
Published: 20 August 2008
I endured more than a year of harassment in the form of sexual banter from my ex-boss and ultimately made a complaint when the banter progressed to harassment.
Making that decision to make a formal complaint is the hardest choice I have had to make. You have to weigh up the consequences, and I believe that there isn't enough support available if you make a complaint. It's often seen as embarrassing or something that isn't discussed. However, I believe if you have made the decision to make a complaint — regardless of your sex — then it should be taken seriously.
My complaint was upheld after a very long and uncomfortable investigation, and due to employee protection I was not informed of the sanctions taken. But I can say that the person I complained about continued in his high-level director position with very little change in his behaviour.
Following the complaint I found it extremely difficult to continue in my role, and the board (all male) made it very clear they were not impressed by the fact that I had taken the official line on the complaint. It was only a matter of time before the sidelining started.
Looking back and knowing then what I know now, I would probably have handled the situation differently and not been as amicable about the complaint, but at the time I loved my job (and would have carried on working there).
The recommendation I would make to anyone who is suffering at the hands of these business bullies is that you need to make a stand — regardless of your sex.
Nicki Brady, director, Amba Appointments
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