Bullying and harassment: Reflections on dignity at work support group
The first meeting of the newly established Dignity at Work Support Group was held on July 12th, 2019.
I was apprehensive as to whether anyone would attend but to my delight attendees arrived along with the Guardian for the Trust.
As an icebreaker I gave a précis of my experience of being bullied at my previous Trust and how it left me feeling. Bullying takes away your self-confidence and self-esteem. You feel ashamed that this has happened to you and you become isolated.
What I found encouraging was that once I had spoken about my ordeal, attendees of the group felt empowered to open up and talk about their experiences. The impact upon me was I could sense their relief of being able to talk about and be listened to instead their thoughts being locked away.
Not only did we talk about our experiences and relate to one another in how bullying had made us feel, as a group we now have the motivation to find solutions for cultural change. Another factor that made this meeting unique was that there was representation from staff who, although had not been bullied themselves wanted to be part of the solution and bring ideas to the forum.
Anyone who has an experience they would like to share whether they have been bullied, witnessed bullying or have been a bully are welcome to come along. I want this group to expand and allow employees to have a safe space where they can talk freely.
Together we are stronger, together we can make a difference, and together we can initiate change.
T = Tell Truth Testify
R = Report Respect
U = Unite Unify Understand
S = Support Solidarity Sympathy
T = Trust Treatment Tolerance
The next meeting has been announced.
Date: 9th September 2019
Time: 1pm to 2:30pm
Location: Royal London Hospital - LNB 09_296 – To get to the room, go to the 9th floor near the Renal Outpatients Arrival and Departures area and the nearest lift is lift 4.
Title: Dignity at Work Support Meeting
Yvette Teng