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Bullying in university with very satisfying outcome

hypercolius

So, a while back... I was bullied out of a society. 

I tried to be close to someone. She in response was horrible to me, and some of the things she said made me stop talking to her. 

As I later found out, when I asked her friend to stop swearing, she exploded in anger and she called this other girl, two others, and my friend, and began sharing private information and rumours about me. Destroying all of my friendships. 

So, they tried to formally report me. And when that didn't work, they simply destroyed all of my friendships and forced me out of the society. 

The university, despite admitting they found no evidence of any wrongdoing on my part, tried to pressure me into signing a document (CCA). I read the text and it contained things like, in other words 'You will be in serious trouble if you use the same area of the library/gym as them'. I rejected the CCA. And then rejected it again. 

Unbeknownst to me, they imposed it on me anyway. I first got an indication of it when I got an outcome letter for my complaint mentioning an active CCA. I tried to request an internal review to get it removed, and in response my concerns were dismissed and a Completion of Procedures letter issued. 

When the people who imposed the CCA failed to remove it and tried to mislead me, I made a SAR with the university and forced them to hand over all the information they had on me. Which included both the confirmation the CCA was active and also information about that call. 

I escalated to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator, which found my complaint eligible. However, before they could rule on it, my university made an offer to me:

Formal apology + assurance they were changing their policies + £1500 as compensation. So basically a huge bribe to avoid a 'Justified' outcome. 

I accepted. SG felt that they should have paid a lot more for what they did, and she felt alarmed I was suicidal back then, but I'm just happy to get closure. I'm rapidly recovering from depression on sertraline, and this was very welcome news with that. 

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  • I've just tried tried to get legal help through my insurance for employment tribunal. It was rejected because I had already informed the company I was going to be leaving, so no matter how they treated me, the outcome is supposedly the same. I pushed the company for 6 months to try get them to do the right thing. No salary during that time. They wouldn't even sit down for conciliation, but would still claim I was being uncooperative and couldn't tell them what I wanted. Might have helped if they listened. 

    The thing that infuriates me about this and stories like yours, are it feels like they got away with it. I wish it didn't come down to the victims deciding if they have enough mental health left to get justice.

    That being said, you did the right thing. Fighting back is the only thing that seems to work with bullies, but at some point, I think you just have to realise you're best being rid of the problem and do your best to move on.

    Edit: I'm glad you're happy with the result! That's the most important thing. 

  • in reply to D

    I'm so sorry that this happened to you. Don't give up- maybe try other sources of legal advice?

    Funnily enough, ChatGPT gave me the idea of seeking a SAR! 

    It does feel like they got away with it- SG felt this too. A Justified rating would have been a black mark on this university and they would have either cooperated with far costlier demands from the OIA or, if they didn't comply, would be publically named and disgraced by the OIA. 

    I just wanted some closure, really. Sadly, the person who started this mess has left the university, but that's on her conscience. I understand I have ASD, but turning a whole society against me and complaining about me having a broken heart in her formal complaint? 

    And I can't help but enjoy the fact that my university got scared of the OIA and chose to settle. 

  • in reply to hypercolius

    Thanks. It's past the point where you're allowed to do ET now, but they've got a few employees who are getting very annoyed with them now and they're starting to build a bit of a reputation. I'm sure it will come back to them at some point.

    Meanwhile I'm so much happier and healthier in my new role. I stopped looking for hybrid and opted for fully remote. Landed on a position which is very well suited to me. Onwards and upwards!

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  • in reply to hypercolius

    Thanks. It's past the point where you're allowed to do ET now, but they've got a few employees who are getting very annoyed with them now and they're starting to build a bit of a reputation. I'm sure it will come back to them at some point.

    Meanwhile I'm so much happier and healthier in my new role. I stopped looking for hybrid and opted for fully remote. Landed on a position which is very well suited to me. Onwards and upwards!

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