Taking on a new job is usually an exciting, although perhaps nerve-racking, time. You’ll want to impress your new employer and, hopefully, find a welcoming atmosphere that will make you feel comfortable and appreciated.
In many cases, this is what is found. But, for others, it’s not the enjoyable experience you hoped for. Instead, you’ll find yourself being unfairly treated.
It’s important to know what type of unfair treatment you are receiving. You’ll find it useful to talk to an unfair dismissal lawyer and identify the best way forward.
Types Of Unfair Treatment
There are several different types of unfair treatment. You should know what they are, this will help you to identify what is happening to you and then utilize your rights under the law to deal with the issue.
- Being bullied
Being bullied means you are receiving unwanted attention from co-workers and supervisors. There are a variety of different types of bullying including being physically assaulted regularly, to having insults thrown at you or even people deliberately undermining your authority.
Common examples include malicious rumours being spread or offensive/humiliating comments being posted at work or on social media all the time; It will undermine your confidence.
- Discriminated against
Discrimination is when you are treated differently to co-workers because you are of a particular sex, age, religion, race, sexual orientation, or even having gender reassignment. It can also apply if you’re pregnant or disabled.
- Harassed
Harassment is similar to discrimination. The main difference between the two is that discrimination undermines your abilities based on one of the criteria mentioned. In contrast, harassment means you are constantly being targeted because of these same criteria.
It will count as harassment if your dignity has been violated or others have created a hostile environment for you because you have one of the protected characteristics
- Victimized
Being victimized is also connected to the protected characteristics. In this case, the targeted behaviour against you s because you supported someone making a complaint about behaviour in the workplace or you were the one making the claim.
Dealing With Unfair Treatment
The first step in dealing with this issue is to document what has happened and when. This shows the incidents are genuine and is useful if you ever need to take the matter further.
You will then need to approach your supervisor to make a formal complaint. There should be a set procedure in your staff handbook and it’s a good idea to follow this. You are effectively making your employer aware of the issue and giving them an opportunity to resolve it.
Of course, if your complaint is with your supervisor you’ll have to talk to their boss.
Should this step not be successful at resolving the issues then you should speak to an unfair dismissal lawyer. They will be able to advise you regarding suing your employer and whether you should continue working for them.
While a payout is not the most desirable solution, it will help you financially while you search for a new job; It may even help to convince the employer to adopt a better attitude in the future.