Has anyone found some main contractors management treat the subcontractor employees/supervisor & management with complete disrespect, Yes they have a job to do but this week I witnessed a project manager verbally abusing numerous people of different trades from vehicle delivery drivers, labourers, supervisors & a H&S professional. No one wants to lose their contract so they put up with it. This the individual involved was cursing & swearing, embarrassing people & clearly abusing his position. When I asked some of the people on the receiving end later in the canteen & on site, some of the stories I was told were horrendous. If you speak back to this manager or in any way try to defend yourself (not jump thru his hoop) he tells you to F off and not to come back to his site. Even company directors don't want to stand up to people like this as they could lose their contract. I was disgusted with what I witnessed & heard but if I'm the sub-contractor who opens my mouth I could potentially be in the firing line of this bully & lose my organisation work thus potentially putting my job at risk.

In construction and railways it is a case of the Client kicking the PC, who in turn kicks the subbie. Having worked in heavy construction for the last two years it is not an envieonment I have enjoyed. Very little consideration for CDM Regs or health and safety...I won't miss it if I do not go back.

I have come across the same situation many times with inexperienced site agents bullying the subbies, presumably to get the work done quicker?? I have even had the situation where a site agent refused to speak to me because I have a London accent and he hated Londoners!! Having said that I have also come across very good site agents who would do anything possible to help you get your work completed. So there are bad eggs and good eggs, much the same as in any other profession.

Time pressures, poor management structure, deadlines etc. - none of this is an excuse for workplace bullying. http://www.hse.gov.uk/st...nformationonbullying.htm