Front Page
Well Friends and readers. We have just received a copy of the Daily Express dated 2-08-06. Its front page makes interesting reading. The headline reads £800.000 FOR VICTIM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HELL. No dear friends it is not the Social Work Department,although it should be.
Helen Green is the ladies name and she was awarded the sum after she was left suicidal by the bullying of four so called colleagues.She told how the bank she worked for CLOSED ITS EYES to her torment and she had even tried to take her own life. Her payout is the biggest ever awarded under the 1997 protection from harassment act which has just been changed to allow employees to sue former bosses. Her ex-employer Deutsch Bank now faces a bill not only for the £800,000 damages but also the cost of the case estimated at £1 million.
Mr. Justice Owen said she was subjected to a relentless campaign of mean and spiteful behaviour designed to cause her distress. He went on to say that he was satisfied that the behaviour amounted to a deliberate and concerted campaign of bullying.
This is great news for victims of workplace bullying, and comes on the heels of our campaign to get rid of bullying in the workplace.
As you know we have highlighted the cases of the Muirhouse Two and the bullying they suffered,and in the case of one of the Muirhouse two the story above fits exactly what he suffered in Muirhouse Social Work Centre at the hands of the bully and his sidekick.
We hope that this story reaches the ears of Mr. Ron Lancaster who we believe to be a senior manager in Social Work Criminal Justice. This case pushes open the door for the victims to pursue a claim through the courts.
We have already said and we repeat again there is no hiding place for bullys in the workforce and they must be weeded out,they are the most contemptable worms imaginable and must be punished.
Before the Harassment act workplace bullying may have gone to an employment tribunal for compensation. But these have limited powers to order payouts and victims are unlikely to have enough evidence for a criminal prosecution.
In a cival court,where the Harassment Act can now be called upon, allegations must simply be proved on the balance of probabilities. There is also no limit on compensation.
One last point in this landmark case It was also pointed out that management was weak and ineffectual Bosses collectively closed their eyes to what was going on. Sounds familiar does it not.