Page 47 - link magazine

The virtual Link Magazine now online @ www.swindonlink.com 47
Swindon expert to launch
national bullying charity The all new

Bullying is not just confined to the playground: it affects thousands
of adults in the workplace every year and a new national helpline is Swindon
to be launched from a base in Abbey Meads.
It's a grubby aspect of many
places of work but human re- Rendezvous
sources consultant Christine Pratt
is setting out to expose bullying
wherever she can.
She and husband David already
offer a bullying helpline and web
site as part of their HR Diversity
Management business. On com-
pletion of her thesis on the subject,
to become a fellow of the Char-
tered Institute of Personnel and
Development (CIPD), they have Swindon Commonwealth gold medal
applied to set up a charity offering boxer Jamie Cox helped launch the Swin-
free advice in response to the cries don schools See it, Get help, Stop it anti-
for help. bullying campaign at Ridgeway School
Christine hopes it will be regis- in October, raising awareness for Na-
tered by the end of the year with tional Anti-Bullying Week, from 20 to Now taking pre-Christmas
sponsorship from blue chip compa- 24 November, run by the Anti-Bullying
Alliance. bookings for December
nies. "The helpline is for employees
who feel that they are being bullied, Fifty-four per cent of secondary school ("ail now to (I void i
children think bullying is a big problem.
but management can call as well. It (lisaploititnient
is the only helpline with qualified For help and advice, go to
CIPD personnel. We give practical www.gethelpwithbnllying.org .uik
advice at the outset."
She added that surveys show Although, calls come in from all
that 10 per cent of employees are sectors, Christine finds that 85 per
bullied or suffer from sexual har- cent of the bullying cases she deals
assment and 20 per cent leave their with are in the public sector. She
jobs because of bullying. Each day puts this down to low funding,
Christine and David receive 20 to low resources and high stress lev- The ALL YOU r--------i
30 e-mails and calls from people els due to the pressure put on staff CAN EAT I RESERVE A
who feel they are being bullied. to perform better. I TABLE FOR
Christine was closely involved MENU I YOUR BIRTH
Christine's advice on what to do in the employment tribunal this has now been
if you're being bullied at work summer where deputy head- extended to 7 days I DATE
• Try to defuse the situation. teacher Sue Preston from Plymouth I If a table is booked for
Confront the bully and explain in won a case against her employers. a week 6 or more the birthday
a calm voice that their behaviour Christine and David received over Sunday - Thursday £15.00 boy or girl eats for free
is upsetting and you'd like it 300 calls afterwards. per person (For example 5 pay and
to stop: Swindon is certainly not im- 1 eats for free
• If you feel bullied by a manager, Fridays & Saturdays £18.00 Birthday must be on actual
request a one-to-one meeting mune and the helpline has taken per person day booked)
when you can explain how you calls from staff at most of the large You can choose Only valid on all you can eat or
feel and identify ways to resolve companies in the town and several any set dinner
matters; schools. Christine said, "sadly, sev- from over 100 I.D. WILL BE REQUIRED I
• Speak to someone you trust and eral large blue chips in Swindon dishes
r--------i
tell them how you feel. Consider are in denial of bullying problems L------_a
seeing a counsellor; this may be and still want to use their own HR
available at work; department to deal with it inter- FREE BOTTLE
• Seek advice from your HR nally." OF WINE
department and familiarise "Dick Mattick, from the teach-
yourself with policies and your Book a table for 4
statutory rights: ing union NASUWT has written to and receive a I
• Keep a personal diary of South Swindon MP Anne Snel- • FREE BOTTLE OF WINE
incidents, keeping to the facts grove recommending that LEAs for every 4 guests
and note who was present. and Local Authorities work closer I ( Offer only available on all you can I
If things continue 10 concern you.' with us." ' eat and set menu, please present)
• Check your Contract of If you feel you're being bullied this voucher when ordering.)
Employment and read the or harrassed, call 0901 742 0388 L-------J
company grievance policy;
• Put your complaint in writing; www.bullyingbusiness.co.uk
• Seek advice about your statutory
rights and company procedures Bullying TV drama 11-12a Theatre Square Swindon
• Visit your GP and tell him about features Christine's work
the problem; Telephone 01793 523570
• Contact the National Bullying An ITV drama focused on the
Helpline or some other Sue Preston tribunal in which
professional organisation; Christine was involved will be
Consider requesting an aired in the week commencing
independent investigation. 22 November