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Friends and readers. Our anti workplace bullying campaign has produced a great deal of interest,and our mail box has been getting a lot of requests for help and information.

We do our very best to answer the questions we get,but should we not have the answer,we will forward your question on to organisations we ourselves have been in touch with in the process of our research into workplace bullying.

We recently received a request from an Edinburgh reader,asking us what makes a bully behave in such horrible ways?

Bullying is learned in childhood,but the form changes in the workplace. By adulthood bullies have learned the need to network with others,show a charming face to those in power over them,and to use any means at their disposal to isolate and discredit their targets.

Bullies in the workplace prefer targets that are independent and task oriented. They want to avoid fighting with friends and colleagues of their victims. If potential competitors are popular,the first step of bullies may be to isolate them. Bullies may use lies,rumours and deceptions to isolate their targets from friends and colleagues.

For example if a target is home ill,the bully may quietly signal to other staff that the target is out for mental health problems and the problems are not to be discussed. The bully may hint that the person is not going to be with the organisation for long and that smart people will keep their distance in order to avoid risking their own careers.

Dealing with bullies in the workplace is often painful and difficult. Confronting them takes a great deal of courage and skill. Instead of confronting bullies,organisations often shield bullies in order to try and avoid losing lawsuits from victims.

However if serial bullies suceed.they can eventually consume much of the creative and productive efforts of an organisation. Serial bullies in positions of power can destroy the effectiveness of government organistaions,schools,businesses and charities. It is therefore essential to any organisation to have a clear process for identifying serial bullies. Once serial bullies are identified,swift efforts are needed to prevent them from building an offensive to maintain power.

We hope this answers our readers question which we put together with a number of other closely related questions. Interestingly one of the questions came from a criminal justice worker formerly employed at the infamous Muirhouse Social Work Centre,or possibly that’s just a mere coincidence.

Friends and readers. It seems that our beleaguered PM’s head is on the chopping block. The more his party comrades deny it the more you know it is true.

We all know world events lead by the worst President of the USA in living memory have conspired against the PM but what measures has he and his hapless Chancellor taken to alleviate the pain now being suffered by millions.

Only last week one of our people friendly utility companies announced massive price rises to come into force immediately. The rest will surely follow.Has the Government rebuffed this? Why of course not and the Chancellor is nowhere to be seen. 

MP’s now visualize their seats disappearing  at the next election and you can be certain that will spur them into action. Brown must act now and stop telling everyone that they are looking at measures,stop looking and act.

Put confidence back into the country,and start by getting a chancellor that knows what he is doing not one who is visible by his absence.

Workers will rightfully demand wage increases to combat increasing costs,but will be told no chance.and discontent will breed. Brown looks like a man lost and alone without a clue what to do.

Pilton Sucks in it’s own small, humble way would like to offer the PM some advice to kick start the economy.

Firstly remove stamp duty on all houses below £500,000 reduce corporation tax to Irish levels of around 12% and encourage outside investment. Take out of the tax bracket all those earning below £12,000 yearly. Put in place an automatic tax elevator on companies like the utility companies who are profiteering on peoples backs,and put back the money to those most vulnerable to these increases.

The income tax system is designed to confuse and con the poorest while protecting the better off,this obscenity must be altered. The wealthiest in our society have gotten increasingly fat under this Government it is now time for them to be put on a financial diet.

Golden handshakes disgusting bonuses and mind boggling salary’s should all be subject to heavier taxes,of around 50-55%.Our exporters the real wealth creators have to be given Government help to compete against the cheap laboured emerging economies. Those who wish to start their own businesses be tax exempt for two years as long as they employ staff,and after that only subject to basic rate if they employ more staff.

Local social enterprises should be encouraged as a way to help local employment and should be managed by local people.

We are suffering badly financial with the exception of the arms manufacturers on our overseas ventures to protect Americas oil interests. The billions we are spending promoting oil based democracy’s are costing us all dearly both in human misery and financial misery.

The Governments move to increase taxes on the owners of gas guzzling cars is a step in the right direction and should also be coupled with a tax at point of sale.

At entrance level a tax of 20% for all cars whether new or second hand on all vehicles of 2000cc or above,and then road tax of £1000 yearly. An end to the company car tax allowance.

All vehicles subject to strict enforceable emission levels with vehicles removed from the road instantly if they fail.

These are a few measures which could help both the environment and the economy. At least we are trying this lot in Downing Street are only looking. They were elected to act not just in good times but in bad times as well.

Friends and readers. A rumour is circulating in the community and has reached our ears.

It seems that may be the old pals act is trying to make a comeback using the Community Councils as their vehicle. Frozen out after the local elections and left to lick their wounds,it appears that behind the scenes they have decided to try and bully the Community Councils into opposing any changes in current funding packages to Forth Ward projects.

Added to that it seems that Lib Dem Councillor Elaine Morris is to be reported to the standards committee by, surprise surprise Labour dominated Drylaw Telford Community Council,who are not actually within the Forth Ward boundary.

We were told by a Muirhouse resident that a meeting took place on Wednesday 23-07-08 in the Prentice Centre chaired by a member of Drylaw Telford Community Council regarding the funding available to Forth Ward projects. 

That in itself is strange as surely it should have been chaired by someone from one of the Community Councils involved.Our friend from Muirhouse told us that although there is a problem with the current funding arrangements,a kick doors down policy was not the way to address the issue.

It seems this cobbled together meeting was dominated by employees of projects and chaired by one,and was allowed to descend into threats of violence.We are told that the atmosphere was hostile and that anyone with a different opinion to the ones expressed would have been on a hiding to nothing.

Well Well Well,just like times past,fill a meeting with vested interests invite the Community as a token gesture then make sure only sympathetic voices are encouraged to speak,and more than once.

Pilton Sucks wonders who is the hand on the steering wheel of this manufactured protest. Rightly if residents feel that something is wrong then they should make representation to the people concerned,but when vested interests use the Community as a vehicle for their own interests,then serious questions have to be asked.

Pilton Sucks has a view of it’s own and no party hacks will bully us. It is abundantly clear to all those that choose to look that several projects in this Community have been to say the least more than generously funded and as we have said before are now punching well above their weight.

This all happened under the previous Labour Administration,and it is no secret that a current Labour Councillor manages a well funded local project,and an ex Labour Councillor works for another one.

Why bother having management committees or community representatives,when a small band of self interested individuals are trying to manipulate the democratic process.

Pilton Sucks believes that this community should be mature enough to realise that a seat at the negotiating table is much better than a voice outside the door trying to kick it down.

The old way of doing things is over jobs for the boys or in this case funding for the boys,is finished or at least it should be. Communities as the Scottish Executive have said should be empowered to do things for themselves.

We think in essence this is a good policy but it breaks down because it some cases it is unelected officials lead,and the old guard refusing to come to terms their way of doing things is gone.

Taxpayers money has to be spent wisely and best value got for every pound spent. It is not about creating jobs for old pals and then continuing to fund these projects at ever increasing amounts.

Pilton Sucks is not alone in realising that there is a private club in this community,dedicated to self preservation at everyone else’s cost. This Community like others has been over this course before,and we should have learned from the experience.

Glasgow East has tossed out the past and taken a chance on change. The march of the comrades is over and Communities across the land need to take up this baton of change and run with it.

That means we have to think for ourselves and not be manipulated into parroting someone else’s thinking.

It may come down to opening the door for everyone who wants to,to come in sit down and argue the case for their community. For those that don’t and wish to live in some coloured version of the past,that march to utopia will be a tune played by the piper from Hamlin. 

Friends and readers. A reader from Glasgow has asked us if we can elaborate further on the reply we gave to our friend in Dundee.

Of course we are delighted to do so.

Contractual obligations.

1] It is an implied term of every contract of employment that the employer will fulfill his duty of care to employees. Properly constituted and meaningful consultation should examine custom and practice where employer’s changes and impositions occur which are likely to effect conditions of employment and the dignity at work and personal well-being of employees.

2]Employer Responsibilities.

The three principle legal obligations on employers can be summarized as follows.

1]Legal Case:A] Through relevant Health an Safety and Employment law.B] Common Law duty of care.

Moral an Ethical case: A] Not to cause physical and psychological injury.B] Empolyer’s responsibilities for Personal Injury and negligence claims.

Business Case:A] Business benefits to be gained from good working environment and practices.B] Impact and cost to nation,employer and employee of long-term sickness absences.

Work-Life Balance

There is now a greater emphasis on’family-friendly’work policies and recognition of the need for a proper life-work balance for all workers at all levels. Those employers who run rough-shod over employees and care little for their well- being are open to challenge.

Section 2.

Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act places a duty upon all employers to ensure the health[including mental health],safety and welfare of all employees and to create safe and healthy working systems. RIDDOR 95 [Reporting of Injuries,Diseases or Dangerous Occurrences Regulations]. Under RIDDOR, employees have the right to report all incidents of a danger to them,including bullying and harassment. Employers are legally obliged to have reporting proceedures in place. Industrial Injury form B195 available from the Department of Work and Pensions should also be completed.

Management of Health and Safety at Work 1999 [includung the Approved Code of Practice]

This regulation deals with the requirement on employers to assess all risks to the health and safety of employees and to provide them with comprehensive and relevant information on those risks and actions to mitigate those risks. It also requires the employer to take into account individual’s capabilities when assessing the risks.Failure to produce and/or act upon assesments may be evidence of negligence

Negligence and Liability.

Employers must provide a safe place of work,a safe system of work,safe plant and appliances and safe and competent fellow workers. If an employer fails to take reasonable care to protect an employee froma forseeable injury by failing to provide any of the above,he or she could be found to have breached the ‘duty of care’. Redress would be via Cival or Criminal law.

Once again we are delighted to help our readers on these matters.  

Friends and readers. We have been asked by a reader in Dundee if we can post up some of the legislation with regards to Employment in relationship to bullying and harassment.

We are delighted to do so.

1]Employment Rights.

Under the Employment Rights Act 1996,an employee can resign and claim constructive unfair dismissal if they can show a breach of contract, which may include the employer’s failure to provide  reasonable support and a safe working environment.

2]Health and Satety.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers are responsible for ensuring as far as possible,the physical and psychological health,safety and welfare of employees at work,which includes putting in place measures to protect employees from the risk of bullying and harassment.

3]Management of Health and Safety at Work.

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992,employers are required to carry out risk assessments to assess the causes of stress at work and introduce measures,as far as practicable,to reduce or prevent it.

4] Vicarious Liability.

Vicarious liability is an important concept in relation to bullying and harassment claims,in that an employer may be found to be vicariously liable for negligent acts or omissions by their employees in the course of employment whether or not such act or omission was specifically authorised by the employer.

The recent case of Majrowski has extended employer’s vicarious liability to bullying and harassment,so they can now be liable in criminal law for the bullying behaviour of their staff.

5]Human Rights

Under article 3 of the Human Rights Act of 1998,inhuman and degrading treatment is prohibited. Employers that do not prevent bullying and harassment outside the context of the equality legislation may therefore be in breach of the Act.

Thanks to our friend in Dundee for his request and we hope the above post is of use.

Friends and readers. We have received a post from a reader in Manchester who tells us that he and his colleagues have been following our campaign to have workplace bullying outlawed.

Our friend is employed in a large local Authority run organisation in central Manchester. He tells us that he and his colleagues are now  much more aware than they were before about the dangers of workplace bullying thanks to Pilton Sucks.

 He tells us that a question was raised at their weekly team meeting regarding the policy of bullying and harassment at work. He was told that the any kind of workplace bullying or harassment of any kind would not be tolerated and that disaplinary procedures would be rigourously enforced.

This is good news indeed and shows that at least this organisation is fully tuned in to the dangers of workplace bullying.This is the third post we have had from different parts of the UK with regards to our campaign and shows that people are now becoming more aware of a potential bully in the workplace.

This spurs us on to continue our campaign to have this workplace disease outlawed and be made a criminal offence. We have seen from our research that in some cases when workplace bullying is brought to the attention of those charged to deal with it, heads are buried in the sand with the hope that the victims give up,or resign their post.

This is not only morally indefensible it is cowardice  in the extreme. Pilton Sucks and other organisations who highlight workplace bullying must press for legislation to make sure bullys are stopped in their tracks and the organisations who protect them be named and shamed.

We know the cost of workplace bullying both in cost to the economy and in personal cost to the victims is enormous,and steps have to be taken to right this obvious wrong.

The more pressure that is exerted,to fight this evil,and the more publicity it receives the quicker employers will realise they have to clean up their act. There can be no hiding place for the bully or the organisation that protects them.

Pilton Sucks Will play it’s part in highlighting and fighting this workplace evil. We warmly welcome those that take the time to write in and tell us about their situation,and we will always help and advise were necessary.

Once again we say that your employer has a duty of care to you. If they choose to neglect that duty and hide behind some rule or other,they risk the adverse publicity that will surely follow.

There is no room in the workplace for a bully. 

Friends and readers. Lets hope you all have a spare jersey this winter because according to the greedy bastard that fronts Centrica you are going to need it.

That sleaze bag won’t need an extra jersey, his £1 million  pound a year salary will see to that. Jake Ulrich who made the comment of wearing an extra jersey to keep warm shows exactly what Centrica thinks about those least able to afford to keep Ulrich in warmth and comfort.

What does our Government do,while this clown makes remarks like that? Why nothing of course,just turn away and use that well worn phrase,nowght to do with us.

Both Brown and Darling are seen as prats by Ulrich and his pals,who know all to well that this totally incompetent Government are unwilling to intervene to firmly put these greedy utility companies in their place.

In fact it’s quite the opposite,if readers care to look at the biographies of the great and the good on the board of Centrica it’s littered with sleaze bags who have been given awards,no doubt for their undying efforts to screw the last penny from their consumers.

These are the individuals who are profiteering with the Governments blessing,and who could not give a toss if you can pay your bill or not.

We are living in oppressive times as our cost of living soars through the roof and will undoubtedly end in misery for many as they struggle to live in Britain the 4th richest country on the planet,but as we all know the wealth lies in only a few hands while the majority pay for it.

Never mind the Government has just announced they are to scrap Incapacity Benefit, and force people many of whom cannot work into low paid unskilled employment.

Once again our brave Government attacks the weakest while allowing the fat cats to wallow in their own self importance. Of course the plebs always have the lottery to take their minds off the harsh reality of everyday life in fat cat Britain.

Let the plebs dream while we shaft them good and proper. What has become of this land that it is ruled by those with the fattest wallets and the most expensive tiaras.

Where is the political voice that will stand up for the people,or have they to been bought off on the cheap. Who will come forward and put principles before expense accounts. We fear no-one will as the trough is now to tasty with all the goodies that shield our betters from the chill of poverty and destitution.

So friends and readers. Watch for the oldest dodge in the book,when times get tough attack the weaskest,and ignore those that have the fattest wallets,and the most to say about the need for restraint.

 Friends and readers. The Glasgow East by election is almost upon us and Labour have brought out their big guns to try and wear the voters down and con them into voting for them.

We are told they will be stuffing envelops and delivering leaflets in the run up to the vote,and of course will use every opportunity to press the flesh of the harassed voter.

Imagine if you will our hapless and inept defence secretary Des desperate Browne approaching you in a military style advance hand out stretched with a forced grimace of sincerity on his face,promising you won’t be drafted into the forces to protect Americas oil interests.

Or Harriet designer Harman wearing the latest cat walk fashions tottering on high heels as she walks down the pot holed pavements of Shetleston,grumbling beneath her breath about having to mix with the plebs.

All this and more is available in Glasgow East and for the next week or so the will be the political centre of the world. Now MSP and wannabee MP Margaret Curran is threatening to inflict Alistair well groomed Darling,once the firebrand of the left,now locked in financial melt down, on the voters of Glasgow East. It doesnt bear thinking about.

We wish the voters of Glasgow East all the best in their attempts to avoid this den of thieves as they attempt to con their way to victory. It may not be possible to avoid someone trying to shake your baby and kiss your hand,but if you can that will be a moral victory of sorts.

As one punter put it, I’m afraid to go to the toilet in case one of these blood suckers is in there waiting for me. Ah well happy days.  

Friends and readers. As you know we are campaigning for legislation to outlaw workplace bullying,so it is made a criminal offence,punishable by a custodial sentence if necessary.

What makes someone a workplace bully,what causes them to inflict such suffering on others,what is their purpose and how do they avoid capture.

All these questions have been asked of us,and we will attempt to give our opinion and reasoning as to why workplace bullys exist.

A workplace bully does not just appear out of thin air,because the fancy takes them,or they are bored so decide to abuse a work colleague.

No friends ,a workplace bully has his behaviour down to a fine art, crafted over many years, of Jekyll and Hyde performances designed to create the facade of being a reasonable person,hiding a vicious cruel individual who delights in tormenting his victim.

He smiles at those in authority giving the illusion he deliberately tries to create of a good guy,when in reality he revels in others misery he creates.

The workplace bully haunts the workplace making it a very unpleasant place to be as he targets victim after victim,confident in the knowledge his superiors are unaware of what is going on.

Workplace bullying is a covert operation as the bully selects his target,and the tactics to be used. Once successful and if not stopped the bully will move on to the next victim employing similar tactics.

From research we have carried out the workplace bully can very often take out his own frustrations on his chosen victim,punishing the victim,for reasons as diverse as his perception he has been overlooked for promotion,or has been stuck in the same post for years and believes he is better that the job he does,he may suffer from for instance dyslexia an inferiority complex,claiming all around him are idiots except him.

Of course he would not dare say that to their faces,simply because above all else the bully is a coward, and a liar,all to willing to hide behind who or what ever he can in order to protect his own skin.

There is of course and this happens in some cases that the bullys behaviour is known to others,but they to are intimidated by him,and having failed to do something to prevent the bully operating,it then becomes a case of damage limitation.

How is this done,again it’s quite simple harass the victim/s make them jump through hoops hoping they become fed up and walk away,leaving those that should have done something to prevent bullying,breathing a sigh of relief.

It is possible someone might have had a discrete word with the bully,but no real action was taken as the problem has now been resolved with the victim/s leaving their post/s.

But this is unlikely to have any real long term effect on the bullys behaviour,and he will strike again. Yes he may employ different tactics but the emphasis will be the same as will the end product,yet another victim.

If only one person takes on a system that ignores bullying,and opens up the can of worms,and forces action to deal with this most evil of workplace diseases,we have taken a step forward to having this barbaric behaviour outlawed,and helping to make the workplace a safer happier place to be. 

Remember your employer has a duty of care to you,if they neglect that duty,then they could be in breach of the current legislation,and are liable for the consequences.  

Friends and readers. First we had Bullying now we have class A drugs. What is our caring sharing Health and Social Care Department to do.

Seemingly unable or unwilling to admit to their obvious inadequacies,this monolithic department descends into melt down at any kind of problem it faces.

Only concerned for their own positions in their ivory tower, a clean out is long overdue. What must director Mr. Gabbitas think about all this or does he even know.

It appears he has no control over his empire allowing incompetent management to botch up any kind of staffing issue.If our friends in the press were to look under the veneer of painted on respectability the worms would jump out of the can to reveal a mess at the heart of this over manged department.

Institutionalised bullying,very low staff moral,intimidation and harassment of staff to cover up management imcompetance,the list goes on,and all this on the backs of the taxpayers money,surely time has come for an independent public enquiry into the running of this department,with it being broken up into smaller accountable units open to public scrutiny within the communities they are supposed to serve.

We now have a vehicle for scrutiny in the guise of the newly formed Community councils,where members are elected from within their own Communities,and sit together with elected members to serve the interests of the Community. 

The very thought of this would strike fear into the hearts of those that are supposed to serve the public but really only serve their own greasy pole careers. Pilton Sucks believes that Community Council scrutiny with advice from elected members would be a good start,with those charged to manage this disjointed department mandated to attend C/C meetings to explain how they are spending taxpayers money in the communities they serve.

The benefits are obvious,elected members could show they were leading the way in department accountability by supporting Community Council scrutiny and making sure those charged with public service do just that instead of hiding away in the leaky Waverley Court,using their policies and procedures as a barrier to prevent anybody  seeing in.

Pilton Sucks is not alone in thinking time has come for more public scrutiny and accountability,we are told there are a number of elected members that are of the same mind and can see the advantages of such a scheme.

If there is nothing to hide then there should be no objection to such a scheme,but as we all know that is not the case and strenuous objections would be made to any kind of dismantling of their power and secrecy.

Pilton Sucks believes in all Council Departments being opened up to closer public scrutiny,helping our elected members to make sure these departments operate properly and openly.