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An NHS nurse has been awarded £41,000 in compensation after a series of bullying incidents led her to quit her job.
Susan Hamilton, a diabetes specialist nurse, claimed she was subjected to years of mistreatment by a colleague, dietitian Abdool Nayeck, which culminated in an escalating series of incidents, including being excluded from the daily tea round and enduring dismissive behavior at work.
The dispute between the two healthcare professionals began in 2018 after Hamilton questioned Nayeck’s competency in handling a patient case. From then on, Nayeck allegedly started making hot drinks for everyone except Hamilton, and he reportedly ignored her when she greeted him and faced the other way during meetings.
The situation continued to worsen, leading to formal intervention. Both employees were invited to mediation, where Nayeck allegedly bluntly stated, "I don’t like Sue." Despite an agreement to "communicate in a civil manner" at work, Hamilton reported that Nayeck’s behavior did not improve. Instead, he stopped making tea for anyone, leaving the issue unresolved.
Hamilton, who had worked for the Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust since 2012, raised multiple complaints about Nayeck’s actions, including allegations of bullying and the theft of her personal property. However, after the NHS Trust investigated, the findings revealed that very little had been done to address the situation. The Trust merely spoke to Nayeck, but his behavior did not change, and the stress of the ongoing bullying began to take a significant toll on Hamilton’s wellbeing.
In 2021, after a formal grievance was raised and her complaints were partially upheld, Hamilton resigned from her position. She cited a "breach of contract" due to a "total breakdown of trust and confidence" in the Trust's ability to address the issue. The employment tribunal found that the NHS Trust had failed to take adequate action over several years to address Nayeck's behavior, ultimately causing Hamilton to suffer immense stress and ultimately leave her job.
The tribunal also highlighted that Hamilton was a "gifted nurse" who had loved her job, but the hostile work environment had a lasting impact on her mental health. The Trust was criticized for not addressing the bullying sooner, and it was determined that the failure to intervene properly led to Hamilton’s distress.
The £41,000 payout is a result of the tribunal's findings that the NHS Trust mishandled the situation and allowed the bullying behavior to continue unchecked. The case underscores the importance of employers taking swift and effective action to address workplace bullying and ensure a safe, respectful environment for all staff.
