ASLEF has a policy on workplace harassment.

Everyone has the right to be treated fairly and with respect, and to work without harassment, victimisation and bullying.

If you are being bullied, harassed or discriminated against, you do NOT have to put up with it.

Tell any one of the following:  

• One of your ASLEF representatives at your depot, or anyone else you trust. Click Here to see a list of contacts in District 5.
  
   

• One of your District 5 Equality Reps  
  
  -  Women’s Equality Committee - Wendy Hurst - call 07788 153 932  or  01480 390 846
  -  Racial Equality Committee – Floyd Doyle – call 07788 153594
  -  LGBT Equality Committee - Steve Swain - call Head Office for details
  
   

• District Organiser for District 5 - Andy Morrison
  
  Members can email Andy Morrison via the Members' area of the main ASLEF website.

  29, Ramsey Road
  Harwich
  Essex
  CO12  4RJ

  Home: 01255 240 381
  Mob: 0781 320 3140
  
   

• ASLEF Head Office  – call  020 7317 8600 and ask for the Industrial Relations Department or the Equalities Officer. You can speak to any of them in confidence
  
   

• And, if you feel able to, tell the person or people who are doing the bullying to stop. 
   

Keep a record of what happens - what is said or done, who it is said or done by, where it is said and done and who witnessed it. Dates, times and locations are very important.  Also, it is important you should make the record as soon as possible after the event.

While some of the bullying and harassment is carried out by managers and supervisors, there are still large numbers of workers who get involved in harassing their colleagues or, by their lack of activity, appear to condone it.  

There are certain steps we can ALL take to stop the bullying and to make life tougher for the bullies.

• Never join in behaviour which is aimed at being hurtful to individuals or groups of individuals
  
   

• If there is graffiti in your workplace, report it to management and ask them to get it removed.  If managers do not take action speak to your union rep. 
  
   

• Never circulate offensive material, including pornography 
  
   

• If a colleague is being harassed, offer them your support.  This will make a huge difference to anyone suffering harassment. 
  
   

• Try to speak out against harassment and abuse.  Too many people don’t like what’s going on but don’t feel brave enough to act.  
  
   

Together, we can get it stopped.

If you are a bully, do you know what the consequences could be?

If you bully someone you can:

• threaten their livelihood
   

• force them out of their job
   

• cause stress to the individual and their families
   

• cause mental or physical illness
   

• create a hostile working environment 
   

• undermine every workers’ rights, which we as trade unionists have struggled to achieve.

But also, you are infringing your employer’s Equal Opportunities Policy, breaking the law and leaving yourself open to the loss of your job, and to possible prosecution.

Do you realise that what you are doing is bullying or harassment?

Harassment comes in many forms - but it is always unwanted by the victim and is offensive.

It can be based on Race, Gender, Sexuality or Perceived Sexuality or Disability, 
but it can be based on other grounds, as well. Regardless of the grounds, it is unacceptable!

Harassment can include:

• Unwelcome comments or jokes
  
   

• Intimate questioning about someone’s personal or sexual life 
  
   

• Making stereotypical assumptions about lesbians and gay men 
  including assuming that all gay men are HIV positive
  
   

• Displaying or circulating homophobic or anti-gay materials
  
   

• Gossip and speculation about someone’s sexuality
  
   

• Excluding people because they are lesbian or gay
  
   

• Physical abuse or intimidation

The information above is an edited version of what is contained in the ASLEF booklet "Respect, equal opportunity and equal treatment for all", available to view and download from the main ASLEF website.

Events

Eradicating Workplace Bullying Conference, 15^th November

The UK National Work Stress Network Annual Conference is holding a conference on Eradicating Workplace Bullying, including Cyber-Bullying at the Hillscourt Conference Centre, nr Birmingham on Saturday November 15^th and Sunday November 16^th 2008.

This conference is aimed at Trades Union Shop Stewards, Health & Safety Representatives, Health & Safety and Human Resources Specialists, Stress Management Consultants

Click Here for more info and a booking form (opens a 2 page Word doc)

Links

TUC: Bullying at Work - Guidance for Safety Representatives 

TUC Bullied at work? Don't suffer in silence

Hazards bullying factsheet