How can I defend myself against bullying in the workplace?
July 1, 2024 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Alexander Lenzner
Dear lawyer,
I am reaching out to you with an urgent matter and hope for your support. My name is Georg Ley and I have been working as a project manager in a medium-sized company for the past three years. However, in recent months, I have increasingly felt like a victim of workplace bullying.
The situation has gradually developed. Colleagues make derogatory remarks about my work, ignore me in meetings, or deliberately give me false information to get me into trouble. Even my supervisor does not seem to care about my well-being and has not taken any measures to stop the bullying.
I feel increasingly isolated, stressed, and unhappy at work. I fear that my performance and health could deteriorate due to this stressful situation. Therefore, I am wondering how I can effectively defend myself against workplace bullying.
What legal steps can I take to address the bullying behaviors? Are there specific laws or regulations that protect me in this situation? What options do I have to document the bullying and gather evidence? And how can I prepare myself for a potential confrontation with my colleagues and supervisor?
I thank you in advance for your help and look forward to your support in handling this difficult situation in the workplace.
Sincerely,
Georg Ley
Dear Mr. Ley,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding workplace bullying. I am sorry to hear that you are in a distressing situation, but I will do my best to help you.
First and foremost, it is important to understand that workplace bullying is legally prohibited in Germany. According to § 3 para. 3 of the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG), bullying is defined as a form of discrimination that violates the dignity of the affected person and creates a hostile environment. Therefore, you have the right to have measures taken to stop the bullying and protect you from further harassment.
To address the bullying, you can take various legal steps. First, you should try to document the bullying in writing. Record all incidents, including date, time, location, involved individuals, and a detailed description of the incident. This documentation serves as evidence in case of a legal dispute.
Furthermore, you should have a conversation with your supervisor and inform them about the situation. Your employer is obligated to take action to stop the bullying and protect you. If your supervisor fails to act, you can contact the HR department or the works council. In severe cases, you may also consider legal steps such as filing a complaint with the supervisory authority or bringing a case before the labor court.
If you wish to prepare for a possible dispute, it is advisable to seek legal advice. A specialized labor lawyer can inform you about your rights and options, and assist you in legally enforcing your claims.
I hope that this information is helpful to you and contributes to stopping workplace bullying. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or need legal advice.
Best regards,
Alexander Lenzner, Attorney at Law
