To Lisa J Smith (OPs)

Dear Lisa Joy Smith,

you asked me a weird question in the appeal’s hearing, where I appealed the rejection of the outcome. An outcome where LZ coldly and fully rejected the grievance against line manager WGar, who rebuked me repeatedly in front of my team, bullying, blaming and excluding me during my traumatic bereavement, resulting in a nervous breakdown and during that breakdown being forced out to do customer service. You and HR advisor M. had no issues with that. M’s frustrated question to me, “But what do you want us to do about it [the bullying]?” had me perplexed at the incapability and unwillingness to have a zero tolerance of bullying in Pret. Here you were asking me again for solutions, where I assumed you guys knew what you were doing! You later offered for the investigation to at least remove M. from the process.

But in the 4.5 hour hearing you asked me what my definition of bullying is. In my trauma, naivety and pain I was perplexed and gobsmacked at your question. Later in hindsight with more clarity in my mind, I would have answered your (HR’s) question with the question of what your definition of bullshit is.

Now in even more hindsight I feel sorry for you to have taken part in this systemic way just for money or safety of your own job? Whatever the reason, it is sad how educated and professional people decide to be part of a group against one person who’s life is already shattered to pieces. I don’t wish my ordeal on any of you.

I worked at Pret A Manger and survived systemic workplace bullying during bereavement that involved HR, the top leadership, HQ and even the now “retired” former CEO Clive Schlee. I declined 4 settlement offers if I am silent about my ordeal. But I rather starve and speak out to help others. For an overview of important blog entries of my experience with Pret, please visit “My Ordeal with Pret A Manger”. The little arrow to the right next to each heading will lead directly to the post.
I tell my story for the first time verbally in below audio player interview on a podcast by The Adam Paradox, and wrote two articles in the Scottish Left Review: 1. “Late Night Girl’s” Story with Pret and 2. Pushing Back Against Pret.
Thank you for reading/listening.

Interview:

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