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Who do i complain to?

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doggydays | 17:42 Tue 05th Jun 2007 | Jobs
6 Answers
Me and my work colleagues are having some problems at work at the min. We work for a small company, the boss is the proprietor. She treats us terribly, ranging from bullying (grabbing one of the girls tummys and laughing saying 'ew look at that') to not paying us correctly, taking advantage, putting us down in front of customers, leavin too few staff in charge to be safe, i could go on a LOT! Where do we go with these problems, what sort of help could we get? x
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There should be a union covering the industry/area that you work in if you and your colleages joined this you would be able to get support and advice from them.
In the first instance, you should complain to her about this. It seems quite obvious that you think this is unacceptable but any union and ultimately any employment tribunal would want you to try and work it out internally. Also, from a personal point of view, she maybe thinks its just funny. Okay, it's not, but if you don't tell her, how will she know?

If all employees feel the same, you should approach her together (strength in numbers). Ask for a meeting with her and maybe two or three employees representing the whole workforces views. Alternatively, if you don't want to all approach her, write her a letter outlining your concerns signed from the staff.

If its an individual thing, you should still speak to her but will have to do this one on one which people are not always (understandably) entirely comfortable with.

If you have done this already, you have to put the grievance in writing to her formally. After that, you can complain on an official level.

As crusty says, a union can be a good third party. However, if you are a company of under 21 employees, current UK law states that the Company cannot be forced to recognise the union ina collective bargaining capacity. If you are above 21 people, you can have a vote within the workforce to see whether people want to join the union - the unions themselves can give you advise on this. Unions can also give advise individually if you choose to join but cannot represent you on a group level. Of course joining a union is not free and that may deter people from wanting to do so, so maybe you should test the water.

Ultimately, if you've complained to her and put the grievance in writing to her and you feel the behaviour is still unacceptable, you could resign and claim constructive dismissal at a tribunal. You don't need a union to assist you in doing this but they will have more experience of the process. Alterntaively, talk to CAB to see if
sounds terrible,
why dont you leave then?

taking advantage?
Whats that, asking you to work?

bet if you can read its the guardian

Question Author
As far as i know theres no kind of union, we are the only business of the kind in the area and theres only a couple more around the country.

This woman is very arrogant and will not hear our points, just dismisses them.

I cant leave as i have no money to fall back on and i dont want to leave the field of dogs, where there arent many jobs!

She takes advantage by asking us to work extra then telling us we wouldnt be paid for it two days after we've done it! She puts us down in front of customers, likes customers only to have her opinion on things, leaves one taff member in charge of 30 dogs, all free running while she has her hair done!! :-(
Question Author
As far as i know theres no kind of union, we are the only business of the kind in the area and theres only a couple more around the country.

This woman is very arrogant and will not hear our points, just dismisses them.

I cant leave as i have no money to fall back on and i dont want to leave the field of dogs, where there arent many jobs!

She takes advantage by asking us to work extra then telling us we wouldnt be paid for it two days after we've done it! She puts us down in front of customers, likes customers only to have her opinion on things, leaves one staff member in charge of 30 dogs, all free running while she has her hair done!! :-(
doggydays she is well out of order, and obviously spoiling what sounds like your otherwise dream job! My friend really wants to work with dogs, so I know how hard it is to find something in the field.

Not only is her behaviour a personal confidence dint, but also collectively it must make for a lack of loyalty from staff: obviously she is playing on the fact that you all enjoy your jobs and that there are relatively few doggy jobs. She must have real issues, and she sounds like a cow!

What ChuffingHell says is dead on, and I too would recommend Citizens Advice Bureau for free and good advice.

helpmetoo, you sound like a kn*b, why say anything if it isn't constructive?

Lisa x

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