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Friends and readers we have been given this piece of very useful information by one of our readers.

It is a charity called Bulling UK formerly Bullying Online.

Workplace bullying is a vast problem which results in stress and days taken off work.

The effects can be long lasting and lead to mental health issues,marital breakdown and a total loss of self worth.

Bullying UK has vast experience in school bullying but workplace bullying is a very specialised topic of it’s own,covered by a variety of employment laws so we suggest if you’re having problems at work you contact your union if you’re a member,your doctor and our colleagues at the ANDREA ADAMS TRUST.

Bully Online is an excellent resource formerly run by the late Tim Field. it’s currently being run by his son Michael. The website contains a vast amount of practicle information and advice.

Many thanks to Calum for sending us this information.  

Friends and readers. Anna our associate has informed us at Pilton Sucks that there is a family day at Royston/Wardieburn Community Centre this Sunday 29-06-08.

That is all the information she had. But if you want to know more about whats going to be happening you could phone up or call in. the number to call is 552 5700. 

Friends and readers. Summer time is supposedly on us and all around people are getting their summer wear on and freezing to bits.

We at Pilton Sucks feel the need to throw off our winter woollies and join in the disrobing which comes with the slightly better weather.

Those who have the benefit of central heating in their homes will have switched it off by now and thrown caution to the wind,forgetting what those parasites the utility companies have got in store for us all.

Nasty rumours of 40% increases are swirling around,and come the colder weather for many it will be heat or eat. Pilton Sucks reminds everybody not to take their eye off the ball just because we have lighter nights and longer days.

The greedy parasitical energy companies are lying in wait ready to pounce as soon as the temperature goes down,and in Scotland that could be any time.

They offer false promises of help for those that can’t meet the obscene increases,but you can be sure they will harass you endlessly if you cannot afford to pay your heating bills.

Remember the poll tax demonstrations and how it brought to our attention the gross unfairness of it. It was replaced with the means tested Community Charge,which still cripples many.

It is coming time that the mass demonstrations are repeated this time over the greed of the fuel companies,this is necessary as the Government is totally impotent in doing anything about it.

Our former left wing chancellor the not honourable Alistair Darling is quick to tell the impoverished working poor that there has to be pay restraint,his own expense account will amount to more than some of the low paid workers receive in a year.

Brown now tells us with glee that he has done a deal with the Arabs over oil production,in reality the Arabs have us over a barrel[no pun intended] and have no intention of helping anybody but themselves,unless of course they can’t sell the black stuff.

America buys oil and then stores it helping to push the price up,keeping it to themselves just for a rainy day.Our total dependency on oil has left us at the mercy of unpredictability and it’s a fingers crossed  policy hoping that a meagre 700,000 barrels a day extra will stave off stagflation. NO CHANCE.

We missed the boat with our own windfall of North Sea Oil,with sucessive Governments wasting it instead of investing it in Britain’s future. Thatcher started the ball rolling paying for over 3 million unemployed with oil revenues,and her successors followed suit.

The days of cheap oil are over and everything from here on in is going to hurt especially if you are near or on the breadline. Looking a little further down the line,the economy is stuttering and unemployment is on the up,this will force wages down and poverty will be on the march.

Lots of people who scrimp and save to have a fortnights break once a year have cancelled the idea worried about what the coming months have in store for them.

Slowly but surely the divide in Britain already large grows ever larger with clear daylight between the haves and have not’s.

So divided are we as a society that it cannot be bridged without courage and principles something this Government has precious little of.

The rich have got fatter and cosier under this administration when the fact of the matter is they should have contributed much more than they have.

Yet it is the working poor who have paid the piper as usual and continue to be bled dry with ever more ideas being developed to prise what little they have left, off them.

Where does it all stop?Unfortunately it doesnt and many more of our citizens will be left out in the cold looking for a helping hand and receiving none.

Hark back to the Dickens character Scrooge and his attitude to poverty. Look now to the present day,can you spot the difference.       

Friends and readers. The international and over priced ticket event is almost upon us again,that is the Festival. All the great and the good ,luvies and all will desend on us to ply their craft and try and extract as much of our hard earned lucre as possible. Note the recent event at the premier of a film nobody will bother with and all the hangers on and co that where there including our very own culture vulture Lizzie Maginnis.That’s just one minor event which starred two actresses whose names you would be hard put to remember,and see the congestion that caused.

The burning issue one amongst many is how will the vastly increased traffic cope with the abundance of never ending roadworks this city has the misfortune to have.

Right now we are almost at a standstill with the yellow jacketed perils carrying out Edinburgh’s favourite past time digging holes large ones and plenty of them.

There is practically no where to drive in this city without coming across these holes and temporary traffic lights, although they seem to be permanent. In our case down here in sunny Granton it’s the same roads being dug up again and again.

Leith has become a joke a very sad one but a joke never the less. some traders have been forced to shut up shop due to this no-go area,and all we get is the same old story which must have been pinched from our old friend and regular sucks reader ex councillor Fitzpatrick —NOUGHT TO DO WITH ME—. The yellow perils are now causing mayhem at the London road roundabout and nothing moves. At times there appears to be no work being carried out in Leith Walk just a succession of cones and barriers designed to cause as much of a problem as possible.

Once more the over taxed over stressed and over persecuted motorist has to suffer the Edinburgh plague. And if you are thinking of trying to escape over the Festival,forget it the M8 is being dug up again so if you are thinking of flying off to sunnier spots don’t bother unless you take a sleeping bag with you and lots of Valium because Glasgow airport will just be a dream as you sit in the traffic jam in the name of improvements. 

Of course you could try and fly from our very own airport that’s if you can find a flight that goes further than London.

A and Z  for Pilton Sucks.com  

Friends and readers. Workplace bullies tend to surround themselves with supporters,spies and ‘court jesters’ while cultivating allies in SENIOR MANAGEMENT. The bully will create rivalries in the team,as people anxiously fight to stay in favour,creating a diverse culture which brings out the worst in people.

To be’in’ with a bully can seem the best way to survive,and cover any feelings of inadequacy by displacing these on to others,through siding with the bully’s aggression. But as long as a bully feels they can get away with it they will continue.

Bullying at work can ruin your life.It is a living nightmare. Being bullied makes people feel vulnerable,isolated and frustrated,and may lead to stress related illnesses like constant headaches,loss of weight,ulcers or kidney problems. It affects relationships with family and friends.

Those being bullied often feel ashamed and they must have done something to deserve it,which opens them to more bullying.You begin to feel that supposed mistakes are all your fault. Other signs are constant assessment,useless errands,false complaints,persistent humiliation in front of others,and a managers inability to admit they could be wrong.

A bully will try to get rid of someone they perceive as a threat,not promoting able people,taking credit for others ideas or work or alternatively not giving enough work or responsibility and then claiming laziness or lack of initiative.

Of course bullys can practice demeaning tactics on the victim. Change the victims work schedule and then claim it’s for their own good. Allocate the victim demeaning tasks,and the good old classic which always shows up a bully even if they try to hide the fact. Leave Job advetisements in a spot where the victim will be,this will leave the victim with the impression they are not wanted,an impression the bully wants them to have.

The Law.  There is no specific legislation dealing with bullying at work.

Employers have a legal duty to protect employee’s health and consult safety reps about health and safety matters,which includes bullying as it’s a workplace stress. Safety reps have legal rights,to inspect the workplace and take up health and safety complaints,with paid time off for their functions.

The complaints procedure should set out on what basis the bully may be suspended pending the results of an investigation. Independent counselling should also be available.

Bullying is not just some deviant behaviour which can be eliminated by having the correct policies,but such procedures can form the basis around which to organise[see the excellent Solidarity Federation Pamphlet’Health and Safety at Work’ on overcoming the pitfalls and problems of relying on legislation and the unions email sofled@solfed.org.uk for more information]

When dealing with bullies,there is strength in numbers,but be careful who you talk to.                         

Friends and readers. We have been asked several questions by readers regarding workplace bullying. We have gathered together all the questions and put them in order of the most asked questions.

Our in box is full which shows our campaign against workplace bullying has captured the imagination of our readership,so we shall do our best to answer these questions.

1] What Constitutes Harassment.-Harassment is deemed as unwanted conduct that violates a person’s dignity or creates an intimidating hostile,degrading,humiliating or offensive environment for them. It can include insults,personal criticism,demeaning comments,intimidation,misuse of power,work-related harassment,social exclusion[including isolation and victimisation] and is usually repeated and persistent unwanted behaviour. Harassment is defined largely by the impact of the behaviour on the recipient,not it’s intention.

2] What if the alleged bully denies everything.-Harassment is the intention of the perpetrator and the deed itself and the impact it has on the victim ,that constitutes harassment.

Therefore if an employee considers that he/she is being harassed then as the employer,you must take this seriously and conduct a full independent investigation. You should ask the employee to give clear examples of the conduct which she/he believes amounts to harassment and get details of any witnesses to this conduct.

If there is found to be evidence of harassment the disciplinary procedures may require to be instigated.

3] What if i suspect bullying. All employers have a duty to ensure that harassment does not occur in work areas for which they are responsible. Employers have a further responsibility to explain the company’s policy to their staff and to take steps positively to promote the policy.

If the employee would like to proceed informally they may want to approach the accused themselves and highlight the way their behaviour is making them feel and let them know that if the behaviour continues they will raise a formal complaint.

In many cases this informal approach is often enough to rectify the situation.However the employee may not feel they can approach the individual themselves and may feel happier if the manager or another member of staff informally tries to stop the unwanted behaviour.

If the employee decides to proceed formally a full independent investigation should be undertaken in line with the organisations bullying and harassment procedure.

N.B. Internal investigations where knowledge of one or both parties are involved is not welcome.This can lead to ”pals investigating pals” and can give rise to suspicion of cover up,leaving the organisation concerned wide open to legal action.

We hope this answers some of your many questions on this subject which as our mail bag testifies gives rise to strong feelings and opinions which we fully understand and comply with   

Friends and readers. When it comes to workplace bullying and it’s attendant issues-because it never arrives in the workplace alone-there are distinct stances adopted by HR Departments. Like yoga positions,they can be categorized

1]The Mafioso.Perhaps the worst stance,the Mafiosio HR Depatment knows there is a problem with workplace bullying and actively participates or supports the abuse by bringing false,fabricated or unnecessary proceedings against the targets of bullying,supporting the culprits,joining in “the fun”. Their typical way is to issue threats to targets and abuse proceedure.

They are the harbingers of doom to any organisation and they ride in on the pale horse.

Oh,yes you know who you are. And so do we.

2] The Ostrich. Identified by somewhat sandy and muffled responces to questions on respect at work. “We don’t have a problem with workplace bullying,nor are we ever going to have one” or even “We take respect at work seriously”. 

The muffled responces get all the fainter when one victim tried to identify how, exactly,they are taking it sersiously. They achieve the same result as the Mafioso except passively,not actively.

3]The Firefighter. This HR position involves leaping from crisis to crisis,from formal discipline/grievance proceeding to proceeding,from court room to court room.

There’s no time to implement good practice-they are to busy putting out fires.

4]The Bureaucrat. HR Teams exactly like the HR team which covers the Edinburgh City Council Health and Social Care Department love writing policies that look good on paper and then stuffing them in a drawer, and scheduling expensive training which dosen’t tackle the problems.

Failure to monitor and audit proceedures lead to a failure in implantation. But hey, they look good,even if you don’t achieve much. Often accompanied by Firefighters or Ostriches.

5] The Tinker.The Tinker is perhaps the least glamorous respondent to the challenge of workplace bullying. They might look good patching here and there,but they only step in occasionally when a rare crisis emerges.

For the most part,their conflict resolution and workplace harassment policies and proceedures work so well they can get on with other stuff-like hiring,sucession planning,and increasing the organisations knowledge base. They do this by practising preventative medicine in the workplace,continually,monitoring and checking for signs of grievance and disciplinary proceedings,and attrition due  to mental ill health.They keep their stats in order. QUIETLY.

You know the burning question,don’t you?Which one of the five positions is YOUR organisations HR adopting in responce to WORKPLACE BULLYING,HARRASSMENT AND INTIMIDATION. 

Friends and readers John MacDougall, MP for Glenrothes has offered his full support to the Samaritans campaign against workplace bullying.

John Say’s “There is no reason why other members of staff should be allowed to bully colleagues. This can take many forms,including workload and the way people are spoken to. I ask that employers take this matter seriously”.

Bullying in the UK is endemic and for 21% of Scottish workers it is a weekly or even daily cause of stress. Over 80% od Scots have been bullied during their careers and a quarter of people are so stressed they dream of quitting for a life abroad.

Over half of Scottish workers have seen colleagues cry over pressure and 45% say their employers try to get as much work out of them as they possible can even when they see they are already very stressed.

Almost three quarters of people feel unable to cope with distressed colleagues and 34% say employers do not take workplace stress seriously,turning a blind eye to the problem.

Professor Cary Cooper of Lancaster University,an internationally recognised expert in the field of workplace stress said “These results really disturb me. Shouldn’t we be managing people by reward and praise rather than fault finding and bullying?

The message from the Samaritans is that you are not alone. Employees need more support from work colleagues and everyone needs coping skills to help them deal with everyday pressures.

If you wish more information you can log on to.

www.samaritans.org

Thanks to our reader Linda for this information.   

Friends and readers. Our Social Work Group who have been assisting us with our campaign on the violence of workplace bullying,have confirmed that the Health and Social Care Department [Criminal Justice] are wiping their brows and patting each other on the back as they have managed to sprite out the bully and his assistant from the infamous Muirhouse Social Work Centre.

The bullying scandal that went on at that Centre shows no sign of disappearing and nor it should. These characters who made the lives of several members of staff a misery may have left the scene of the crime but their victims remain and the trauma they caused.

Pilton Sucks has a large network of friends and associates who like us wish to end the curse of workplace bullying,and believe that the two jobsworthts who caused so much pain should be exposed and punished.

As you know many staff when they found out about what was going on in Muirhouse were disgusted but not surprised as they had suspected what had been going on there for a long time,with it seems the blessing of senior management,who had previously received several complaints but failed to act.

Our friend at the leaky Waverley Court tells us that the suppressing and ignoring of evidence may yet in her opinion come back to haunt them. Pilton Sucks firmly remains in the camp of the victims of workplace bullying where ever they are and we will continue to fight the corners of victims of this terrible disease.

Friends and readers. As you know Pilton Sucks is conducting a campaign against workplace bullying,and we have been informed that,a newly developed social networking site for those that have been affected by bullying to tell their stories of how they have dealt with bullying.

Write About Bullying are encouraging people to write about their experiences as victims of bullying in all contexts e.g. at home IN THE WORKPLACE,cyber bullying etc.

The project will provide an opportunity for participants to express themselves and to help others who are currently experiencing bullying,and will link to established support organisations operating in the field.

Thanks to Julia who sent us this information.

groups.myspace.com/writeaboutbullying.