For months was André Horstink Kampen bullied by his colleagues. “I thought that bullying was with kids in schoolyards: that’s bad enough, but I never expected it to me on my 50th would happen..”
Tomorrow starts the authorities with a campaign to bring bullying in the workplace taboo. It is a problem that is underestimated, says André Horstink, Ambassador Foundation Bullying in the Workplace. He has personally experienced firsthand.
“Banter belongs to a department,” said André. “That’s humor, then you’re an occasional turn to sell But when it happens routinely and your story is denied:. Then you start doubting yourself, you’re scared and depressed they destroy you.”.
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It started when André with his employer, the city of Kampen, switched to a new department. “After about 5 weeks on the ward I got the feeling that stung the eyes in my back and there was much gossip about me. I’ve been raised by a colleague. They first had some doubts, but confirmed it later: “You need your ass but to turn away from the department whether they are already talking about you. ‘”
all day was gossiped about André There they found him strangely, he might malfunction and fail to comply with agreements. “It was difficult to attract anything. I worked with seven colleagues, of whom five participated in the bullying behavior. I was very insecure. I had a year contract and with enough work I would get a permanent contract. That I really wanted, but the gossip made me anxious: I’m soon back on the street “
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André played cards the problem with his supervisor. “After three months I requested a meeting with the bullies and my supervisor I confronted them by literally saying.” You do not allow me, I can not get any credit when you tell
me how I will be allowed here. ” But it was denied, the only comment I got was:. “You is not functioning correctly. ‘”
The supervisor then wanted André was re-incorporated. “A colleague was a month before scheduled there, but after two weeks, let them all know that there is nothing on my function was to notice. And yet, the negative tone continued. I could not sleep anymore.”
It got out of hand. “After eight months of bullying I have once a colleague firmly held accountable. I was angry. That colleague fled and accused me direct threat. My supervisor went into her story, and I was given an official warning. Also the head of the personnel department refused to believe my story when I knew. I lost my job. ”
The contract was indeed not renewed. “After ten months I was thrown out because the situation escalated. I was devastated. I had 4.5 years at the municipality worked to get a permanent contract. My future was ruined. There”
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Since then, André’s home. He filed a complaint with the complaints committee, which was upheld. “But I got no apology or acknowledgment of my employer, only a formal procedural letter that my complaint was upheld, but that they only partially took the advice.”
And so André sought publicity. “I want to be the subject to denounce it. It happens because many more people. For a year, the employer me money now, but in return I may not speak negatively about the municipality of Kampen. I hesitated, but eventually I found it such a scandal, I wanted to tell my story right. Maybe I can do something for future victims. “
The wealthy Greeks have billions. They do not all neatly gathered. What time they deposit back. Because that they have still not done.