Ask the expert: Forced out by a bully

By MARIE WILSON

Q. I would like to make an official complaint concerning the behaviour of my previous employer.

I have no wish to pursue legal charges (too costly in terms of money, time and stress) but I do wish to make an official record of my experience prior to resigning, in order to help other employees who may be suffering from his bullying behaviour.

The company in question is privately owned and has no human resources department.

Any suggestions on which organisations I could contact?

A. Although registering a complaint can be stressful and time-consuming no matter who you put it to, you do have a number of options.

You titled your email "constructive dismissal", so my understanding is that you feel forced from your job by your boss' harassment or bullying.

Check your employment contract to see if there is a section specifying what you should do when you have a grievance, and try to follow that procedure if it is provided.

Generally, the first port of call should be your manager, whether or not you feel it will do any good (assuming you aren't counting on a reference anyway).

In some situations, such as bullying and harassment, you may want to take a support person with you. After that, you may wish to make a complaint to your manager's boss or supervisor, in person and/or in writing, so that they are alert to the manager's behaviour. Again, if this feels personally risky, you can take a support person with you.

You always have access to the mediation services of the Employment Relations Service, who may provide support in making a complaint and may also advise you of other avenues to register a complaint. All of these avenues may, at a minimum, make your manager aware of his actions and their consequences, and bring it to the attention of others.

LETTER

I'm sure that many people found last week's reader's inquiry (about a recruitment agency) quite sad and a bit disturbing.

It put me in mind of some advice quoted in What Color is Your Parachute?

Robert Wegmann's advice in dealing with unscrupulous agencies was:

A. Find door

B. Walk out same

C. Do not return.

Liam Sheridan

(by email)

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Email a question for Dr Marie Wilson

Dr Marie Wilson is associate professor of management at the University of Auckland Business School, research director of the ICEHOUSE business accelerator and a veteran of 20 years in corporate management and small business.