Post Eleven - Others are still being bullied

Vicky Gray has worked for Liverpool City Council for more than 20 years. This is her story:

I was bullied by a manager for over 12 months. I made a formal complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman with regards to the way Liverpool City Council dealt with my Grievance and Appeal. I was informed that they were unable to investigate personnel matters. The Grievance was based on Bullying and Oppressive Behaviour; the witnesses were not questioned on these matters. There are 34 County Councils and 238 District Councils in England, 32 in Scotland and 22 in Wales. How many employees have been subjected to Bullying and Oppressive Behaviour by managers who have in effect dealt with the matters internally and reached the required result the council wishes to achieve? Local councils investigate their own complaints, which I feel is a conflict of interest. I feel this matter needs addressing and the way to achieve this is through Legislation in the House of Commons, by introducing a Local Government Bill, or Parliament to extend the powers of the Local Government Ombudsman to include personnel issues. This is why I have started this petition. The law needs to be changed.

If you want to support Vicky’s initiative, click on this link http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/08Bullying/  There you can sign her petition and help to put a stop to the shameful behaviour that has become all too common in our public services.