Can you be bullied by a company as opposed to an individual?
Following the decision made in the case of Margaret Kelly v Bon Secours Health System Limited in 2012, the concept of corporate bullying was recognised and substantial damages were awarded to the plaintiff.
This was a case where Margaret Kelly was regarded as a “trouble maker” and she was subjected to systematic bullying and unfair treatment.
The court decided that the company, her employer, viewed her as a trouble maker and she was excluded from promotion within the company and was subjected to negative treatment in many other areas. She was awarded €60,000 compensation for the “severe distress” this caused.
I believe most people think that bullying occurs between individuals. Certainly bullying in the workplace tends to be aimed at one particular person by another individual rather than from a company or an entire management structure to an individual.
So, if you feel you are being bullied or being harassed or intimidated by a large organisation and you cannot specifically name an individual, you still have a case and in my view, a much more substantial case.
Kevin Brophy
