It's been several months since I entered a Grievance to my employers (who are a leading Mental Health Charity). I had, prior to writng the Grievance, complained in writing twice about the individual whom I considered to be a Bully. The individual in question is a Volunteer and Service User. (I was not the only complainant). The situation was very difficult and I did suffer what my Doctor cited on my sick note 'reactive depression'.

The CEO's initial response to the complaints was to tell the Volunteer I had complained against them, which increased the bullying!

Eventually, as if apparently often the case, the individual bullied until one day I snapped back. I decided then that I would enter a Grievance against the Bully, citing my then Line Manager and the CEO of being complicit in the bullying because of their inaction, since I had made them aware over several months that there was a problem with this particular indivuals behaviour.

The Grievance was referred to another agency, outside of the Charity, since the CEO was subject of the Grievance too. It was referred to a close friend of the CEO, a Manager of another Mental Health Service.

I attended the hearing with a colleague, only to find that the secretary of my employer was there to take minutes. I thought this a tad unusual, but felt that I had nothing to be concerned about since I was only telling the truth about my experiences. I recall leaving the Grievance meeting feeling that I had received a fair hearing, and whilst I surmised that the person investigating would not find 'bullying' they had indicated that they felt there were a series of mismanaged situations, and that this would mean there would be discussions with my employer around how they could be resolved and the situation with the person I alleged was a bully would be managed appropriately (since this was a mental health service I was keen that the bully was tackled carefully but firmly, because I felt that in order for them to be able to function in society they had to understand that they were accountable for their behaviour, and bullying is intolerable in society).