Being Bullied

Re: Being Bullied

Nick Shackleton — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:23:39 GMT

Glad to hear they are sitting up and listening to your complaints!

Re: Being Bullied

Vicky RVN — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:20:43 GMT

A big congratulations is in order for you! Both for saying something and for passing your exams, WELL DONE

Re: Being Bullied

fed up — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 21:50:02 GMT

Hi everyone, thank you all so much for your support and advice, things really seem to be looking up the head nurse had a quiet word with her and since then she has treated me as she treats everyone else, I also found out I passed my level 3 exam today and I think that made her realise that I did know stuff! feeling alot more settled!

thanks again for all the advice honestly wouldnt have had the courage to insist something was said if it wasnt for all of you!

Re: Being Bullied

xXx Cat xXx — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:14:13 GMT

Hi,

Please follow the advise from others. I was bullied out of a previous job by someone like the person you mention and I understand the feelings it gives you.

Good Luck and I hope you sort her out.

Tracy

xXx

Re: Being Bullied

Vicky RVN — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:47:13 GMT

I totally agree with what other people have said, make a complaint. There is no way you should be treated in this way. I def recommend becoming a member of BVNA to use their legal advice line, they are really helpful.

Best of luck x

Re: Being Bullied

Emma Daw — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:32:24 GMT

Hi, I was in a similar situation a few years back. I contacted the B.V.N.A and they were really helpful. At the end of the day, you need to confront the bully, complain about her until something is done. Otherwise if she knows she can get away with that treatment of people she will keep on doing it. Take a stand and let her know that her behaviour isn't acceptable and that you are not going to put up with it. I know its tricky as you are an SVN and don't want to rock the boat, I was an SVN when I was bullied (things did get sorted, she was spoken to and then she left :) ) At the end of the day you deserve to be treated with respect !

Re: Being Bullied

Mac Feather — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:46:39 GMT

Sorry to hear about your situation. Hope things improve- defo get in touch with the BVNA or people on here. Take care.

Re: Being Bullied

Saskia Quinn — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:20:25 GMT

I cannot offer anything more than the great advice given here already , however, I would definitely contact BVNA, become a member and get help from them.

This is a terrible situation for you to be in and I really do feel for you. I hope you get it sorted out soon.

Please keep talking to us here and above all, look after yourself xx

Re: Being Bullied

Laura Ringsell — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:43:04 GMT

If you make a formal (in writing) complaint/ grievance the senior partners/owners PM etc are obliged to take you serioulsy (do yo have a grievance procedure set out in your contract of employment?). It is unnacceptable that someone in the practice is being able to effectively manipulate the entire team - and it would appear that by ignoring the problem the senior people in the practice are almost approving of her behaviour by default of not doing anything about it.

This is one of the things that frustrates me most about practice - people in senior positions with no personnel skills at all and totally inept at dealing with these type of problems. Believe eveything that has been put on here - you do have rights, the BVNA will help you and guide/advise. Where do you go to college - when I went to college the tutors there were also very good at giving advice and stepping in when there were personnel issues - good luck

Re: Being Bullied

dinkyd — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:33:44 GMT

This is obviously getting you down and you have done great so farasking for advice from us - clearly braver than what your colleagues are - it is people like you who bring these silly immature people into their places.I know that sounds cheesy!This will continue to go on within this workplace unless you and your colleagues sort it out.Your boss has a duty to ensure a safe working environment and IMO your headnurse is clearly not able to do her job if she cant put this person in their place and stop bullying within her nursing team - to be honest - and yes im in the mood to be lol - its disgraceful and not on.Sounds as if she needs a talking to as well!

Re: Being Bullied

Nick Shackleton — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:41:49 GMT

This a link to bullying in the workplace

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/ResolvingWorkplaceDisputes/DiscriminationAtWork/DG_10026670

Re: Being Bullied

Nick Shackleton — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:37:39 GMT

check out this link to the Direct Gov website, this link is about Grievance procedure!

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/ResolvingWorkplaceDisputes/Grievanceprocedures/index.htm

Re: Being Bullied

Maisy — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:29:50 GMT

You can join BVNA as a student.

Three options here:

pluck up the courage to speak to the partners (and a decent Head Nurse should support you with this)-regardless how long someone has been there or what their temperament is like does not justify arsey behaviour.

leave things as they are despite making you unhappy and allowing madam to get away with unprofessional behaviour.

Leave completely.

If you are otherwise happy at the practice, and are enjoying your training, although its difficult option 1 would be the more useful. How far along with your training are you? If you go to the partners and they still do squat, then perhaps if you can't carry on working there, then leaving may be an option. However these issues do need to be raised in one way or another.

Re: Being Bullied

Nick Shackleton — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:27:08 GMT

As an SVN you can join the BVNA

http://www.bvna.org.uk/smartweb/membership/membership

they offer free legal advice!

Go above the HVN either practice manager or the director/owner!

Re: Being Bullied

loobylou — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:26:38 GMT

Yes you can get student membership, you may benefit from the legal advice offered.

Re: Being Bullied

loopylou711 — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:26:19 GMT

[quote user="dinkyd"]Concentrate on getting yourself qualified.[/quote]

I second that

But back to this person who is bullying you, as already said go to the highest level of authority in your practice and make a complaint. It don't matter if you are and svn you are there to work and are employed in that practice. You deserve to work in a place where you are respected and treated like an equal member of staff. Yes, the situation may get worse but its not going to get better by standing back and letting her walk all over you and bullying you. Clearly everyone knows what shes like and it will take someone to stand up to her. Action needs to be taken against her! If you are scared of her saying that you will be made out to be a liar then maybe make notes of when she has did things to you. it would be a form of evidence but i don't think this should be an issue if everyone knows what she is like!!

Just take everyones adivce and do something about her and don't let her bullying continue! Good luck!!

Re: Being Bullied

fed up — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:24:35 GMT

No other members of staff want to get involved because they know the trouble it will bring for them. I have spoken to an ex member of staff who was treated same as me and she is going to try and help in anyway she can. Im not a member of BVNA I didnt think I could join as a student?

Re: Being Bullied

loobylou — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:22:32 GMT

Are any of the other members of staff willing to back you up? Anyone you are close to?

If you dont think the partners will take you seriously out your complaint in writing so you can prove you have tried to deal with it. Are you a member of bvna?

Re: Being Bullied

fed up — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:19:42 GMT

[quote user="Nick Shackleton"]

keep a diary of event that have occured. and would agree with what everyone else has said.

[/quote]

I have been keeping one, I showed it to HVN and she dismissed it saying that it wouldn't work because I could be accused of making it up. I just think no-one wants to deal with the situation.

Re: Being Bullied

Nick Shackleton — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:17:18 GMT

keep a diary of event that have occured. and would agree with what everyone else has said.

Re: Being Bullied

fed up — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:16:59 GMT

I really don't feel like I can take it any higher, I have spoken to HVN, the partners would never listen they have tried to deal with problems before and the response has always been I dont like it and they just sit you in a room with the person and tell you to have it out basically! I really dont think I would be able to cope with that. I just dont feel that there is support anywhere I turn because everyone is so worried about putting her in a worse mood. Its making me so ill.

Re: Being Bullied

dinkyd — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:13:33 GMT

Hiya

Whether you are an svn or qvn all members of staff deserve to be treated with respect - especially in front of clients.She is being extremely unprofessional and yes it is bullying.Ask to have a meeting with the highest menber of staff possible whether that is your hvn or practice manager to discuss the situation take someone you trust in with you for support- if you do not feel up to this then put in a formal written complaint against this staff member.

The people putting this obviously do not have the balls to take her on and put her in her place - this is unacceptable and it completely ruins staff morale.Please dont think that just because you are an svn that you dont have a leg to stand on - yes svn places are like gold dust but everyone deserves to work in a respectable environment.Please dont let this silly person get you down - she clearly has issues but that is not your problem!Concentrate on getting yourself qualified.

Re: Being Bullied

Maisy — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:03:48 GMT

I hate the approach pulled by some employers that 'bribe' you by saying everything will be worse blah blah blah then them actually do something to rectify the problem. Who did you initially tell your concerns to, was it the HVN/practice manager/vet? If you can, I'd go even higher up the scale if they are not going to do anything as to pussy foot around some stroppy mare just because its known she is moody is completely unacceptable. You are well within your rights to take this further if it is causing an unhappy working environment which it sounds as though it is.

Do you have anyone else at work you can confide in who may be able to attend a meeting with you? Definitely speak to someone asap and although the atmosphere may not be fantastic once the bolshy one knows what has been said, but her attitude is hardly professional and may bring her down a peg or two.

Best of luck and I hope everything is sorted soon.