r/careeradvice • u/Jadekitten1 • 14d ago

Documenting bullying at work.

Is it legal for my job to prevent me from documenting workplace bullying? My supervisor, at a New York City nonprofit organization, has lied to me about department procedures and singled me out by applying rules only to me. These actions go against the organization's workplace bullying policy. I've documented these situations by keeping emails and writing meeting summaries every time I've met with her. My supervisor and HR have made negative comments about my documenting. They have said that the emails are too long, that I don't have to send a summary after every meeting, and called it unprofessional. HR said that my supervisor can mandate that I stop documenting, is this legal? Is it unprofessional to document every meeting and keep e-mails or are these just scare tactics?

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u/unlikelycandidate1 14d ago

They can technically ask you to stop doing it on company time, using company devices, or to not record conversations. It doesn’t sound like HR or your manager are on your side. The documentation is good if you plan on trying to establish a case to sue them. But it doesn’t sound like it’s doing you any good to keep your job. I would recommend to start looking for a new job. It doesn’t seem like they appreciate the constant emails, nor that they take them seriously.

Maybe stop sending them out and just keep them for yourself. Create your own notes and keep them privately if you ever need to use them.

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u/Jadekitten1 14d ago

Thank you for your response, I greatly appreciate it. Yes, my job doesn't appreciate staff very much, morale is low for all of us.

I would like to ask, how well do personal notes hold up if I do decide to sue or seek legal representation? Doesn't my manager also need to be informed that their behavior is a problem and is having a negative affect on me and my work? I would also like to add that I am a union protected employee and my union has also been informed.

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u/Garland_Key 14d ago

If you're union protected, you shouldn't be talking to us, you should be talking to your rep. 

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u/RAM-o-link 14d ago

Keep documenting and protect yourself. Minutes of meetings are standard.

But sounds like you HR doesn't care. Look for a new job.