Don't be put off if you're being bullied, employees are told after Scrabster complaint is rejected by tribunal

A LOCAL advice service is stressing that although a tribunal has rejected a complaint of workplace bullying made by a Scottish Government agency employee, others should not be deterred from launching similar action.

DeeAnn Fitzpatrick had claimed that she experienced bullying and harassment while employed as a fisheries officer for Marine Scotland at Scrabster harbour, but a tribunal this week ruled against her in the case.

Speaking to the Groat, Iain Gregory, the deputy manager of Caithness Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB), stressed that bullying regularly takes place in the workplace, and each year he hears numerous complaints.

"Clients feel that they have been the victim of unfair dismissal, discriminatory treatment, bullying or other types of incorrect treatment," he said.

"Anyone who feels they have been the victim of such conduct or treatment should never be deterred from reporting the matter."

DeeAnn Fitzpatrick had claimed that she experienced bullying and harassment after she became a "whistleblower" while employed as a fisheries officer at Marine Scotland at Scrabster.

The 49-year-old Canadian national told an employment tribunal in Aberdeen recently that she felt intimidated after being sent anonymous cards between 2015 and 2017, and claimed she was targeted with sexual harassment, for being a woman, and because of her age.

In a previous hearing, Ms Fitzpatrick had also alleged that she was taped to a chair and gagged by colleagues in 2010.

The employment tribunal, however, ruled against Ms Fitzpatrick in its decision on the case.

In its judgment, it said it could not agree whether the cards came from current colleagues, and is understood to have been unable to consider the chair allegation as it was said to have taken place more than three years before the complaint was brought.

Mr Gregory says that each year CAB deals with a "substantial number" of bullying cases, each of which is examined carefully and then detailed evidence is obtained.

He says in many cases CAB is able to resolve matters without progression to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) or to a tribunal – "perhaps by raising a grievance with the employer or by negotiation".

He added: "However, there are numerous cases which require referral via ACAS and we can often resolve issues at this point by using the 'Early Conciliation' process."

He underlined that it is "comparatively unusual" for a case to proceed to tribunal, with only a "small percentage" going that far.

"While it would be inappropriate to comment on any case in which we were not involved, I would stress that people should not under any circumstances be dissuaded from pursuing their rights," Mr Gregory said.

"The system exists to ensure that your case can and will be properly considered and we can advise you and make sure that you understand it."