If you feel you aree being bullied then we accept that you are being bullied, same as harrassed.

[StuartO]

The concept that a perception of being harassed (or bullied) was enough to demonstrate the need for management action to remedy a situation emerged in the NHS in the 1990s, when I was still working there. It was a comfortably politically correct concept because management never did anything harsh anyway, so it was easy enough to take action to placate the complainer and if necessary to remind any manager that heavy handedness was never desireable. This was in start contrast with my earlier career, especially in the private sector, when prompt and harsh management action was definitely part of the repertoire. It was widely known and understoof in WHSmith that if anyone helped themselves to stock they would invariably be sacked if discovered, regardless of how small the value of the item or how long they had served the Company or how senior you were. Being challenged to improve your performance and to go the extra mile to achieve results was expected of everyone all the time. The stores were open seven days per week and the Directors spent their weekends visiting stores; it was expected.

 

But the Civil Service was like the NHS only more so. I managed a department of about thirty civil servants and tried to sack a really useless individual. I follwed the procedures careful and he was actually sacked, subject to appeal - but the appeal process went to an external review panel and no management representation was allowed, just the appellant and his trades union rep. The independent Panel were well rewarded and knew what was expected of them and the useless memeber of staff was reinstated.

 

I expect something similar still goes on in the Home Office and even though a succession of Home Secretaries have stated publicly that it was "not fit for purchase", suggesting some radical changes are needed, it would in practice be very difficult if not impossible to make radical changes and certainly it would be impossible to get rid of useless staff. Imagine Yes Minister but infinitely worse. My instinct tells me that Priti Patel was trying very hard against determined resistance and so I support Boris for supporting her.

[Guest pelmetman]

StuartO - 2020-11-21 6:12 PM

 

The concept that a perception of being harassed (or bullied) was enough to demonstrate the need for management action to remedy a situation emerged in the NHS in the 1990s, when I was still working there. It was a comfortably politically correct concept because management never did anything harsh anyway, so it was easy enough to take action to placate the complainer and if necessary to remind any manager that heavy handedness was never desireable. This was in start contrast with my earlier career, especially in the private sector, when prompt and harsh management action was definitely part of the repertoire. It was widely known and understoof in WHSmith that if anyone helped themselves to stock they would invariably be sacked if discovered, regardless of how small the value of the item or how long they had served the Company or how senior you were. Being challenged to improve your performance and to go the extra mile to achieve results was expected of everyone all the time. The stores were open seven days per week and the Directors spent their weekends visiting stores; it was expected.

 

But the Civil Service was like the NHS only more so. I managed a department of about thirty civil servants and tried to sack a really useless individual. I follwed the procedures careful and he was actually sacked, subject to appeal - but the appeal process went to an external review panel and no management representation was allowed, just the appellant and his trades union rep. The independent Panel were well rewarded and knew what was expected of them and the useless memeber of staff was reinstated.

 

I expect something similar still goes on in the Home Office and even though a succession of Home Secretaries have stated publicly that it was "not fit for purchase", suggesting some radical changes are needed, it would in practice be very difficult if not impossible to make radical changes and certainly it would be impossible to get rid of useless staff. Imagine Yes Minister but infinitely worse. My instinct tells me that Priti Patel was trying very hard against determined resistance and so I support Boris for supporting her.

 

Thank you Doc ;-) ........

 

My diagnoses was correct >:-) .......