Testimonials

Falsely Accused of Being a Workplace Bully

Malicious Complaints and/or Biased Investigators Cause Serious Harm to Dedicated Employees

It was during a very dark period in my career that a friend suggested I contact Linda Crockett from the Canadian Institute of Workplace Bullying Resources for support and guidance. During our sessions, it was here that my story unfolded. I was a leader of a large team, I supported them and I thought they supported me. We had our ups and downs and workplace type struggles over the years, but I truly felt we were committed to each other as a team. What I did not know until the day I received a call from our VP of HR was that a few of my team had banded together to lodge a formal bullying and harassment claim against me. I was completely shocked, I was devastated, confused, felt so betrayed and had completely lost my sense of centre and which way was up and out of this career altering situation. With Linda’s expertise in repair and recovery, I was able to identify the facts of the situation rather than focus totally on my horribly bruised emotions, I was able to process and understand my role in why and how it all unfolded, she helped me gain the courage to approach and work with my company on a clear and fair re-entry plan to protect myself from any future workplace mobbing impacts. They did not terminate my employment, as my direct leader and other senior people in the company knew who I am at the core, that these allegations were malicious and that I had the support of Linda, Alberta’s foremost expert in workplace bullying and harassment. After some time to heal and recover, all with Linda’s kind and wonderful support throughout the entire process, and with my leadership abilities shaken but not completely dissolved, I returned to work.

It has been almost two years since the bullying and harassment complaint against me and I am still at the same company, working with a different and wonderful team of professionals with whom we all respect and enjoy working together. I still have a deep passion for what I do. I learned so much about the impacts of workplace bullying and harassment and have made many conscious enhancements to how I lead that I know have been a benefit to my team, the company and myself. I hardly think of this time anymore, but I still often look back with so much gratitude for Linda and the role she playing in honestly saving my life and assisting me with the tools to not only survive, but ultimately thrive in ways I did not know that I could.

~ Anonymous Canadian Leader

false complaint of bullying at work
workplace bullying assistance testimonial

Judy Abraham

Human Resources, Waterhen Lake First Nation

I would very much like to thank you for your presentation at our staff retreat. The presentation focused on work place bullying which does happen whether you’re an employee of a big corporation or an employee of a First Nation. We as employees felt we needed to address workplace bullying also known as lateral violence, the presentation was presented in a way where it was addressed using personal examples and I think this made a lot of us feel very comfortable. The group exercises made us think and made us feel comfortable with each other. Linda, you showed us you cared about what was happening in our work place and you were so willing to talk to our staff if they wanted to speak to you one on one. On behalf of our staff and Chief and Council, thank you!! I myself have seen the improvements in the staff relations, the communication has improved, it’s more open and I believe you have helped us put back the “team” into “teamwork”. Once again, thank you!!

 

Waterhen Lake First Nations

workplace bullying assistance testimonial

(Name Protected)

Social Worker

Linda, you saved my life. Hearing you speak about your experience at the conference made me realize exactly what was happening to me. I’ve walking around in a fog feeling hopeless until I heard you say “Name It”. It was a life saver, the timing, your words. This has changed everything for me!

workplace bullying assistance testimonial

Joanne G.

Client

Linda, thank you for doing this work. It takes a lot of guts to stand up there (especially in social work) and speak out about this abuse. We never talk about this, well not openly. No one feels safe. It is needed and I hope more people will follow your lead and start sharing. More who talk, more are heard.

workplace bullying assistance testimonial

Angie F.

Junior High Teacher

Linda, I am always impressed and touched by your writing. Thank you for your deep honestly, it is a breath of fresh air.

workplace bullying assistance testimonial

Pauline S.

Client

Your presentation and compilation of resources are fantastic. You provide important information that social workers need to know if they encounter these issues in their work place. I have gained so much from this and I now I will step up and support my colleague who has been suffering for a few months now. Until now I just did not know what to do! Thank you ! Hope you keep on going with this!

workplace bullying assistance testimonial

Yvonne E.

Nurse

Linda, you have been a wonderful support to me through all of my unfortunate work situation. I feel very fortunate to have had this contact with you. You have an important purpose and you are doing great work. I like that though you are developing your expertise in this area and have much more knowledge on this than I do, you are so open and you enjoy learning from your participants. We have shared and exchanged ideas and this makes me feel heard, understood, supported, and empowered. So thank you.

workplace bullying assistance testimonial

Laura

Social Worker

Your support has been incredibly valuable. It helps just to know that my concerns are valid. I can’t stand to consider myself a “victim” and I avoid engaging in dysfunctional relationships in my personal life so it upsets me to think that I can be forced into this role as a professional. Your work is important for I am sure there are many of us scared to come forward for many reasons.

workplace bullying assistance testimonial

Evelyn M.

Admin Staff.

I can not thank you enough for all of the support and advice that you have provided to me, which I have in turn been able to provide to my co-worker who is also in the same situation. In many ways bullying can be compared to being in an abusive relationship and one of the strategies that the abuser uses is to make you feel isolated and alone, so building connections with other strong individuals who are willing to support you really is one of the most effective ways of overcoming the abuse. It truly means alot to me. It also kind of freaks me out as I have not yet fully embraced/accepted technology and I still can’t believe that you can just meet people in your computer! Lol

workplace bullying assistance testimonial

S.B.

BSW, RSW

For years I just knew that some dark cloud followed me where ever went in my job, but I never knew what it was. Now I do. Linda is the first social worker that I know of, who has ever spoken out about bullying in my profession. Sure we whisper about it, but no one has stood up in front of other social workers. Until I read her stories in the ACSW Advocate, and then the stories in her resource kit, I kept my mouth closed. I keep missing her workshops because they get booked so fast. That tells me alot of social workers aren’t speaking out but sure want to know about it. Thanks for your courage, and strength. You helped me to know what to look for, and what I can do if it happens again.