27th August 2013, 09:14 AM
kevin wooldridge Wrote:Actually rather than 'Put up and shut up' I think your mail demonstrates the opposite. If you allow people to get away with this kind of abuse, it doesn't go away. It just gives the abusers free rein to carry on.
But on a positive note, if you have suffered for so long it strikes me that you would have s strong case for constructive dismissal. You must seek advice on how to take this matter further.
Kevin, I recognised Beasley's experience and understood why s/he came to the conclusion to "Put up and shut up." It doesn't automatically follow that making a complaint and, or, challenging harassment or bullying prevents people from 'getting away' with abuse, or limits abusive behaviour. I have worked within commercial archaeology for just over a year with seven different companies, and compared to other industries I have found both managers and site assistants largely ignorant of good working practice and also reluctant to challenge the racism, sexism and bullying that appears widespread. My experience has been that the few individuals who do complain, or challenge abusive behaviour/comments, open themselves to (further) isolation, ridicule, bullying and loss of a potential reference. I recognise and appreciate your supportive comments on many subjects Kevin, but I would suggest that the burden of making progress in these areas does not rest solely with those who have been harassed, but with all of us working within field archaeology. Unless we all challenge attitudes and behaviour on a daily basis, we allow an environment conducive to harassment and bullying (of all kinds).
I would welcome contact with anyone with the energy and conviction to make a change within commercial field archaeology so that equal opportunities and harassment/bullying policies are effective.