Hi,
I recently raised a formal complaint of workplace bullying, harassment, discrimination and defamation against senior managers at the firm where I work [redacted by Moderator]. After several attempts by HR to placate me, I eventually pushed them for an external investigation. They assigned an independent HR strategist who has LinkedIn connections with one of the accused, so I asked HR for an impartial independent investigation and suggested that they use the services of the firms employee assistance company. However, HR assigned a barrister who specializes in employment law and has recently finished a 5 year tenure with the firm. I feel very uncomfortable that that have once again employed the services of a person (not an agency) with connections to the firm. Especially if the barrister's brief is really damage control/risk mitigation and myself and my several witnesses are playing into their hands?
Without going into the background (way too detailed) this is the second time I have been bullied by this management team in the last 5 years. When I raised it before - HR got an psychologist/investigator to assess the situation. He said that my manager has traumatized me over a three year period and I suffered a psychological injury (psych reports). HR dismissed the manager but constructed a 'dysfunctional team/performance' issue as being the reason for letting him go instead of bullying and discrimination. There was no admission of liability or any redress. Two year later, I'm in the same boat again. The management team have subtlety isolated me and haven't given me any real work for two years (since I returned to work after the first incident), other than as an assistant to staff less qualified and experienced than myself.
I've relapsed into major depression and anxiety again and am receiving treatment from my GP.
The interview with their barrister is scheduled for Tuesday 18th. I don't know what to do - should I go ahead with the interview and show my hand, or should I decline the interview or maybe get an official body involved such as Workcover, Fair work Australia, etc?
Thanks!
I recently raised a formal complaint of workplace bullying, harassment, discrimination and defamation against senior managers at the firm where I work [redacted by Moderator]. After several attempts by HR to placate me, I eventually pushed them for an external investigation. They assigned an independent HR strategist who has LinkedIn connections with one of the accused, so I asked HR for an impartial independent investigation and suggested that they use the services of the firms employee assistance company. However, HR assigned a barrister who specializes in employment law and has recently finished a 5 year tenure with the firm. I feel very uncomfortable that that have once again employed the services of a person (not an agency) with connections to the firm. Especially if the barrister's brief is really damage control/risk mitigation and myself and my several witnesses are playing into their hands?
Without going into the background (way too detailed) this is the second time I have been bullied by this management team in the last 5 years. When I raised it before - HR got an psychologist/investigator to assess the situation. He said that my manager has traumatized me over a three year period and I suffered a psychological injury (psych reports). HR dismissed the manager but constructed a 'dysfunctional team/performance' issue as being the reason for letting him go instead of bullying and discrimination. There was no admission of liability or any redress. Two year later, I'm in the same boat again. The management team have subtlety isolated me and haven't given me any real work for two years (since I returned to work after the first incident), other than as an assistant to staff less qualified and experienced than myself.
I've relapsed into major depression and anxiety again and am receiving treatment from my GP.
The interview with their barrister is scheduled for Tuesday 18th. I don't know what to do - should I go ahead with the interview and show my hand, or should I decline the interview or maybe get an official body involved such as Workcover, Fair work Australia, etc?
Thanks!