You know SCurry, you're as near a clone of somebody I know who made the transition from the Private to the Public Service as a Clerical Officer. She was outgoing, friendly, she could have made friends with even Hitler and Stalin, in a nutshell she is probably the most inoffensive person in the country. She did not know it for quite some time but she was systematically marginalized by her new female colleagues. This went on over several months. Eventually, nobody would speak to her. Her life was turned upside down. They refused every co-operation with her. Let's call her Mary (not her real name) a hardened trade unionist who could weed out any argument and seperate wrong from right. Her work rate was good and her stamina would equal anyone's.
Mary approached each of her colleagues who smiled back sarcastically and would not engage on what was happening. She approached her Line Manager and asked that an especial watch would be kept on happenings. She herself recorded everything on emails which she sent home immediately thereby having a time and date of what was going on. She knew of no reason why was was happening, was happening. Neither did her Line Manager.
The bullies were approached by management and again only silence was the answer. One "spokesperson" advised that Mary's treatment would cease and a line was drawn in the sand. Mary arrived in work after and the silence continued and continued.
I know what you are thinking. Would somebody be sacked? Mary was moved to another location and although a fighter felt that the move would be the best result for a quiet life. The bully gang was left intact.
The foregoing is an accurate synopsis of a longer story.
