The dream job of a female constable who worked in the criminal police instantly turned into a distressing nightmare.
The series of events that led to a large fine and compensation began in the Häme police when a new female investigator was appointed.
The senior constable was isolated and excluded from the group so that he was ultimately left with no choice but to request a transfer to other duties. The work of dreams had become distressing and oppressive.
LEFT THE WOMAN TO THE WOLVES
The female constable was viewed negatively in the group from the beginning. It appears from the minutes of the court that a male researcher had been selected for the group. The woman’s appointment sparked opposition, which manifested itself in a wide range of workplace harassment.
The crime crew, who was in charge of the group, showed his opinion by staying out for morning coffee. He also did not greet his new subordinate, and did not have any induction or other discussions with him.
The supervisor moved his workstation to the garage to avoid dealing with his new subordinate. The District Court later held that the Chief Constable’s explanations of the poor indoor air would not have prevented occasional stays on the premises. In this way, he could have attended the morning coffees and monitored the status of his subordinates and the attitude of others towards the newcomer.
The court records show that by avoiding physical activity with his group, the commander-in-chief left the woman “wolves”. Workplace bullying manifested itself in, among other things, non-speaking, greetings, and exclusion from virtually anything in common.
The woman was not introduced to new tasks. He was also not assigned a workstation, and he also had to change his clothes in the open office.
COLD MEETING
When the new researcher was in the same state as the others, he was not quoted, nor was he interviewed. He could also be alone in the office for several days without knowing where the others were or what they were doing.
The newcomer was not told anything about the Whatsapp group within the group.
However, the female constable was tenacious and did not want to “nilety” her ever-deepening anxiety and feeling unwell with her superior’s chief. He feared more severe isolation. The woman wanted to find out for herself. He invited his group to a meeting in good time, where his intention was to bring the problems to the table.
The night before the meeting, the woman slept poorly. He was excited, as that opportunity would be crucial for his future. The woman had wanted to make sure everyone was there.
The others were, except for the group leader, who had assigned himself to other jobs. The meeting turned out to be cold. Instead of an open atmosphere of conversation, the female police felt that there was a hostile, congruent wall in front of her.
It was made clear to the woman that, for example, not everyone wanted to go to a gig with her.
– If you are left alone, if you stay, the deputy leader of the group would hint to the newcomer about his future.
After the meeting, the female constable realized she had no future in the group she had so desperately wanted to join. The woman applied for other positions in the police after enduring bullying for almost six months,
CONVICTED TO CONTINUE IN OFFICE
From the experience of the female constable, a criminal investigation was finally launched in which the man who served as the team leader was suspected of an occupational safety and official crime. The man denied guilty of discriminating against the woman and stated that he knew nothing about the inappropriate behavior directed at her.
However, the Päijät-Häme District Court found that it had been established that the criminal convict had committed the crimes for which the prosecutor demanded his punishment. The penalty was a 30-day fine for an occupational safety offense and breach of duty.
The amount of the fine was 1,350 euros. In addition, the criminal convict was sentenced to pay his bullied ex-subject EUR 1,200 for the suffering caused by the violation. She will also have to pay the woman € 11,500 in legal costs.
The verdict in February of this year has become final. Despite the conviction, the criminal constable still continues in his office as the leader of his group guilty of bullying. According to Iltalehti, he was not even shelved during the criminal investigation.
– I cannot take a position on individual cases, says Ilkka Koskimäki, Chief of the Häme Police .
– The case is under civil procedure. I can’t say more, he decides.