Bullying, heavy workload, unreasonable demands, public humiliation, threats? Read this

Bullying of House Matron at a well known English public school

Case history #89

I started work as House Matron at a well known public school - the Housemaster had been having an affair with the previous matron and when this became known she was 'encouraged' to leave. He began to sexually harass me as soon as I arrived, believing, I think, that all women were for one purpose only, when you live-in it's very difficult to stop this kind of thing, and anyway who would believe you?

After two terms I told the Bursar that I was leaving - he suggested that instead, I move to another House and start again.  The couple in charge were committed Christians. The wife from the outset, hated me, I had not been her choice and she made it plain that she wanted me humiliated. I was treated to all the usual bullying tactics, very heavy workload, unreasonable demands, public humiliation, threats etc. I contacted Unison who calmed the whole thing down.

She took up full time work and we rarely met, except for the House play, when she would organise the musical side of things, the only time she took an interest, I made costumes. She and another tutor made my life a hell and the last play that we did was no exception. I was exhausted and suffered from terrible headaches, my Doctor advised time off, during this time I was contacted constantly to finish the costumes despite being in pain and having a badly inflamed eye. I went to see the Bursar and whilst there mentioned a procedure that was being carried out at the House that I was not happy with, within 3 days I was told to leave as I was suddenly 60 (my birthday had been 6 months before).

Unison tried to bring this matter to Tribunal but after 12 months I was told that there were no grounds for a case. This was to have been on unfair dismissal and sex discrimination, the 9 years of bullying were not to be mentioned. The school have also given good references and I am unable to find work, despite the fact that my work record was good.

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