Gordon Brown and the bullying allegations

The reaction to the recent allegations that Gordon Brown ‘is a bully’ is typical of the poor thinking and weak understanding that people all too often bring to bear once these kinds of allegations are made. What is needed more clear thinking and understanding of the essential principles of fairness and justice.

The way the media – and Jo Public – has taken a general allegation made by a third party (the book author) and used this to justify character analysis, a kind of psychologicial profiling, and taking the reputation of the alleged perpetrator as ‘fact’, is similar to the way some organisations react. Instead of supporting individuals to come forward with real, specific allegations which can then be dealt with through a fair, robust and thorough process, they pursue vague allegations in a manner which is highly risky when the results of their process and approach arrive at a panel of ET members.

Watching Peter Mandleson insist that there is no bullying in the Government reminds me of chief executives and MDs leaping to a similar generalised defensiveness when it is suggested that their senior staff might have problems managing people effectively. Senior management should stay calm, and encourage their staff to have an open dialogue about the culture of the organisation, and commit to making improvements wherever shortcomings are found, not simply try and put a big heavy lid on whatever unpleasantness might be simmering away in the pot.

I am glad not to manage the bullying helpline which has felt so obliged to have its say. While we would never disclose information about our clients or users without their permission, I do see that the Helpline was potentially in a difficult position. If they have had calls from Government staff, and the Government is denying that any such calls were made, what should the Helpline do? Disclose the inconsistency, or keep their head down? Pratt’s response has helped no one, and simply allowed two separate issues to be muddled together. Who may or may not have phoned them has nothing to do with allegations that Brown might have used bullying behaviours, and constitute hearsay, not fact. Just because someone might have phoned the Helpline does not mean Brown is guilty of whatever might have been alleged in the calls.

People are losing sight of the fact that allegations of any kind prove nothing. Vague allegations are insufficient and damaging to relationships and performance as they make swathes of staff (and in this case much of the country) spend time in speculation. Allegations need to be specific, and clear, and made by the complainant. Allowing allegations to be made while not following through with a proper professional investigation is wholly unfair to the respondent, no matter what their position in the country.