4 Ways to Deal With Issues at Work as a New Starter
Issues in the early days of any job can sometimes make you regret your decision to start there. In this article, we’ll be sharing four ways to deal with issues at work as a new starter.
Starting a new job should be a time of hope and excitement, but when issues arise early on things can soon turn sour. It can be difficult as a new starter at a company if you’re having issues, not knowing what to do or who to speak with confidence.
Sometimes in the workplace, things can go really wrong and you may even experience things like harassment or prejudice for example, in which case you may find yourself needing settlement agreements advice.
It’s true it’s best to nip issues in the bud early on to make your time in your new job smoother and more enjoyable. In this article, we’re sharing 4 ways to deal with issues at work as a new starter.
Why Would You Need a Settlement Agreement?
An employment settlement agreement is a legal document drawn up between an employee and an employer following a complaint by the employee regarding their treatment at work.
Instead of following the route of an employment tribunal which can be time consuming and costly, an employer may choose to make an offer to the employee instead. This tends to involve either an amount of money or, a promise that any behaviour or activity which led to the complaint will cease. A settlement agreement will then be drawn up and signed by both parties.
4 Ways to Deal with Issues at Work as a New Starter
When starting a new job, it’s natural to want to make a good impression and to fit in with your new team. A lot of people will be reluctant to ‘rock the boat’ should an issue arise. Failing to address issues quickly can mean that they’ll continue perhaps needlessly, making your time at your job miserable. Some common issues for new starters include:
Remit
On beginning a new job, an employee may discover that the role is decidedly different to the way it was presented during the recruitment process and involves duties that the employee was not expecting and is not willing to perform.
Bullying
An employee may find themselves being targeted by a boss or colleague for no apparent reason and may be treated unfairly.
Sexual harassment
A boss or colleague displaying inappropriate behaviour can make your working life extremely uncomfortable and this includes the use of innuendos, the sending of unsolicited graphic images and inappropriate touching.
Discrimination
In the UK, it is illegal to discriminate against an employee on the basis of their race, gender or disability and an employee may experience discrimination in terms of being issued tasks, being given a promotion or being offered opportunities.
Excessive work
A new employee may find that they’re expected to work an excessive amount of overtime or constantly cover work for other members of staff.
Dealing with issues as a new starter
When starting a new job, it can be frustrating and disappointing to discover that the job or the environment is not quite what you were expecting, You should always ensure that you deal with this in a professional manner and follow the company’s protocols in order to resolve issues. Here are five ways to deal with issues at work as a new starter:
1. Speak with your boss
In many cases, the best way to begin is to request a meeting with your boss to discuss the issue. Depending on the seriousness of the complaint, this can be a formal meeting or a more casual chat over a coffee.
2. Keep records
If you have a complaint about a company or a colleague (including a superior), it’s essential that you keep records of all incidents including names, dates, times and the nature of the activity, as you may need to refer back to these should the problem escalate.
3. Escalate to HR
If the problem is not solved by talking to your boss, you may need to schedule a meeting with Human Resources to discuss the issue. Be sure to bring your notes and clearly state your case calmly, remember that you have the right to bring somebody along for support. HR may then raise a formal complaint on your behalf and / or mediate between yourself and other involved parties.
4. Settlement or tribunal
If you have tried taking action such as speaking to your boss and HR and have not achieved a resolution, you may need to consider taking the matter further by gaining a settlement or by initiating an employment tribunal – a kind of court case in which your case will be heard and judged in a legal environment.
Nipping problems in the bud…
Having to deal with issues as a new starter can be daunting and you may find yourself facing resentment and anger from colleagues. However, it is important that you try to resolve any issues as quickly as possible.
As mentioned in this article, always make sure that you keep records of activities which are part of your grievance and, where possible, gain support or statements from witnesses or colleagues who may have been subject to the same or similar issues.
When dealing with issues as a new starter, a tribunal should be a last resort as this can be extremely stressful and time consuming and may not result in the resolution that you’re hoping for.
Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained legal professional. Be sure to consult a lawyer/solicitor if you’re seeking advice on settlement agreements or other issues regarding employment law. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
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