bullying in academia- should i write confidential letter to the director of the instition even though i left a year ago?

[heraldgerald]

really struggling with this please help. i was severely bullied during my professional doctorate, which I left last year. i complained at the time but nothing happened. i would hate for this to happen to someone else, and feel like I cant just let it lie, morally. however i am frightened to make a complaint that is identifiable in case the bullying reaches me again, which it I worry it could as the perpetrators were particularly vengeful and frightening. should i send a letter? Or let it go? Thanks for any thoughts.

[heraldgerald]

Anyone... I'm quite desperate for advice and would prefer not to 're post in aibu for traffic . Sorry that sounds awful hope you know what I mean!

[ShineSmile]

Are you still at the institution?

[JellyMould]

So you have already complained at dept level? At our uni the procedure would be to make a complaint through student support services/ graduate office, at which point HR should be informed.

[MotherBluestocking]

What form did your original complaint take, and to whom did you make it? Are different avenues available to you now?

[heraldgerald]

Gosh thanks so much. I left a year ago. I originally complained to the course leader. I never heard anything further about it. I think the course allows systemic bullying of students, those especially at risk are new parents. Sorry if I sound bonkers but it happened to others too. I wanted to write to the director to tell him but say I didn't want to go any further and to keep it confidential. Because I'm still scared :(

[HippityHoppityLaLaLa]

Does the institution have a published complaints procedure one that you can find on the web? I know of one such institution, and the complaints procedure covers complaints from staff, students, members of the pubic etc. However, I do suspect it would get back to the specific department involved.

What action do you think the perpetrators could take against you?

[heraldgerald]

It does but I Want to remain anonymous. It's a small profession and they are influential.

[Appletini]

The only way you can expect to be taken seriously is if you follow the official complaints procedure. Otherwise you are going to have to let it drop.

[deepest]

I would talk to HR initially - they will outline the who, what, where, when and how of the process and address any concerns you may have before you initiate or report anything.

I am going thru a bullying and harassment grievance process as we speak - it has a very overt non retribution, non retaliation policy to protect the complainant.

I have already resigned as it was so bad - so whatever gets fixed following an investigation will have no positive impact or redress for me.

HR really encouraged me to proceed with the grievance. I suspect that the respondent has form. I have needed to find the strength to take the bully to task to protect others. It is also very cathartic for me.

I complained to my line manager that I was being bullied and harassed, as you have done, and our policy states that a line manager is then obligated to escalate and initiate the B&H process. She didn't - so will also be in trouble - bit like the child abuse stuff - looking away covers up for the bully and perpetuates the behviour.

[Muddle2000]

I complained about B and H via my staff rep ie a grievance and it was awful He fobbed me off stating it would take too long but in actual fact the boss was happy to hear it I found out later I should have just gone straight to any boss as they must by law deal with any harrassment.They cannot refuse.
However once you have resigned you only have 3 months to get to an ET

[deepest]

But you dont want to go to an ET - so you should go back to HR and/or your sympathetic past boss so that they should hear your grievance on principle....in that case you staff rep broke the law and I am sure the institution will want to redress