WRC recommends security company review supervisory training after worker’s dispute

The WRC recommended that a security company review supervisory training after a security officer’s dispute about an intimidating exchange with his supervisor. The recommendation was dated 18 January 2024 under section 13 of the Industrial Relations Act 1969. The worker alleged harassment and said a phone call and text messages led him to leave his job. The company denied intimidation and challenged his account of a recorded call. The adjudicator said the company’s written evidence could not be tested because it did not attend the hearing. The adjudicator also said the correspondence did not fit accepted definitions of harassment and that leaving the job was an unwarranted reaction. The recommendation called on the company to examine its supervisory training, particularly in relation to possible bullying or harassment allegations. The worker was advised to seek help from a service such as the Citizens Advice Service if a similar situation arose again.