Facing Workplace Bullying: How Can I File a Complaint Against My Boss?

I have been working in a manufacturing unit for the last two years as a Manager. However, the newly appointed Head of the unit has been subjecting me to mental torture and forcing me to resign for the past six months. He has issued me two show cause notices and suspended me twice through the HR department. During meetings, he publicly teases me about my physical appearance and my attire. If he is dissatisfied with my performance, he should provide constructive feedback or assign me to a different role. Instead, he is threatening me with termination. Unfortunately, my colleagues are facing similar mistreatment.

We have reached a point where we can no longer tolerate his behavior. I wish to file a complaint against him. Could you please advise on how to proceed in this matter? Thank you.

Dear member,

You have mentioned the harassment from your superior. However, have you made an attempt to find out why he is upset with you? I suggest you try to remember whether there were any flaws in your work. If the quality of the work is fine, then no superior will even think of harassing his/her junior.

If you have joined two years ago, then have you not established some credibility? I suspect that the head of the unit who joined six months ago has been given feedback about you. His torture of you could be deliberate.

If the Unit Head has suspended or issued you a show-cause notice, both twice, then these were adequate signals to show that your services are not required. Nevertheless, you held on to your job steadfastly. Therefore, there is no point in sticking to the job any longer. Start searching for a new job and quit honorably.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

Steps to Address Workplace Harassment

You should call for a formal meeting with the higher authorities to discuss this matter in detail and reach a conclusion. If this does not align with the work culture of your organization, then you should promptly write a complaint letter to your higher authority outlining your situation.

After waiting for a fortnight without any action on your complaint, you should send a legal notice to address the mental harassment, torture, and defamation. If there are attempts to terminate your employment, you should pursue legal action based on the notice and challenge the illegal removal by seeking significant compensation.

Please let me know if you need any further assistance.

Dear Broadmind CiteHR Member,

What I understand from your post is that the new Head of Unit has given you two SCNs and suspended you, but you are on duty. This implies that your reply to the SCNs was found satisfactory by the Management of the Company. Coming back to the problem of harassment and mental torture faced by you, it appears that something is missing between you and the Head of Unit which should be first resolved by requesting a personal meeting with him. Alternatively, you can also raise the issue in a meeting when any unwarranted remarks are passed on to you by the Head of Unit.

First, try to resolve at your level in a one-to-one meeting with your Head of Unit and try to understand what he wants from you regarding the work assigned to you. If you are unable to resolve the differences, then write a letter to the HR Head to arrange a meeting in his presence to resolve the issue. If this also fails, then you may write to the concerned Director or VP who is the Head of the manufacturing unit. In the meantime, also try to search for a new job as suggested by our senior colleague, Shri Dinesh Divekar.

Remember that a legal battle is very protracted, complex, and expensive. It is not advisable to resort to a legal battle because in case you switch to a new company, you will need F&F settlement and experience certificate, etc. Therefore, try to solve your issues amicably as far as possible. If you do not get a resolution, leave the company on a good note and secure a better future.

With best wishes to you,

Chandramani Lal Srivastava
Master Consultant - Service matters, IR, Contract Management, Tenders
[Email Removed For Privacy Reasons]
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy-Reasons]
New Delhi/30.06.2022/00:17 Hrs

Dear Sir, I am working in the pharmaceutical sector as an Area Sales Manager at _______ Pharma. My senior, ______ Singh, is mentally torturing me, and I have become depressed. What can I do? Kindly advise me.