I joined NAB with a sense of excitement and anticipation, eager to contribute to one of Australia’s leading financial institutions. However, my experience quickly took a dark turn when I found myself the target of bullying by a senior people leader, She had been with NAB for over three decades and was known for her commanding presence and influence within the organization.
The bullying began with unrealistic workloads and demands, and being assigned the busiest queue of work. She would pile on tasks without regard for my existing workload, expecting me to work miracles. When I tried to explain that the workload was untenable, she would dismiss my concerns and insist that I needed to work more efficiently.
Privacy breaches were another aspect of her bullying. She would ask for my home address under the guise of work-related matters, and when I provided it, she shared my personal information with colleagues as gossip. This included details about my background and work history, probity findings etc which she used to demean me in front of others.
Her behavior was often demeaning and rude. She would yell at me in front of colleagues, making me feel small and insignificant. Private conversations with her were no better; she would berate me for not working quickly or efficiently enough, despite my best efforts.
The situation worsened when she allowed other bankers to demoralize me. They would make snide remarks about the quality of my work and pressure me to come into the office for face-to-face meetings, even when it wasn’t necessary and I was medically deemed not to come into the office more than one day per week. This increased my workload and added to my stress.
I was assigned the busiest queue of work, which seemed like a deliberate attempt to overwhelm me. It was a never-ending cycle of pressure and criticism, with no reprieve in sight.
After months of enduring this toxic environment, I realized I couldn’t continue like this. I needed to take action to protect my mental health and well-being. That’s when I decided to disclose the bullying to NAB’s whistleblower program, anonymously.
I documented every instance of bullying, including dates, times, and the nature of the incidents. I detailed the unrealistic workloads, privacy breaches, demeaning comments, and the enabling of other bankers to bully me. With this evidence in hand, I submitted my report through the anonymous whistleblower channel.
The reaction from NAB was swift and serious. An investigation was allegedly launched(without being announced to me).Allegedly investigators conducted thorough interviews and gathered evidence to support my claims.
As a result of the investigation, I believe she was reprimanded and demoted. This was a significant outcome, as it demonstrated that NAB took the issue of bullying seriously and was willing to take action against perpetrators, regardless of their tenure or position.
The department underwent a restructuring to address the issues uncovered by the investigation. New policies were implemented to prevent bullying and harassment, and training sessions were conducted to promote a respectful and inclusive workplace.
My experience with bullying at NAB was a harrowing ordeal, but it also taught me the importance of speaking up and seeking help. The whistleblower program provided a crucial avenue for disclosure, and the subsequent actions taken by NAB demonstrated a commitment to addressing the issue.
In the aftermath, I felt a sense of relief and empowerment. I had stood up for myself and contributed to creating a safer and more respectful workplace for everyone. It was a challenging journey, but one that ultimately led to positive change and personal growth.
However, I find it puzzling that during the entire investigation, not a single person reached out to me for my side of the story or to inquire about my well-being. It was clear to everyone that I was the whistleblower, yet no one took the initiative to check in on me or discuss my mental health during that challenging period. This oversight struck me as rather odd.