Elaine Hammond - Director of People
Examining the reality of HR leadership and accountability within The Active Learning Trust. When individuals in positions of care fail to protect staff, speaking out becomes essential.
When leadership fails to protect
A Director of People should be the primary safeguard for employee welfare, upholding policies designed to prevent harassment and abuse. In reality, Elaine Hammond was supposed to protect me from workplace bullying, but instead ended up joining in with the bullies. When senior HR figures turn a blind eye or participate in mistreatment, the entire institution ceases to be a safe place to work.
Dismissed as a 'pain in the backside'
Seeking protection should never be met with hostility. When attempting to follow the school's formal anti-bullying procedures, Elaine Hammond openly dismissed my concerns, referring to me as a 'pain in the backside' simply for demanding that official policies be respected. This dismissive attitude reveals a deep institutional culture where raising legitimate issues makes you a target rather than someone to support.
The erosion of trust and psychological safety
Experiencing this betrayal shattered my confidence in The Active Learning Trust, leaving me in an environment where safety was non-existent. Sadly, employees across the sector think twice about reaching out to HR because of poor leaders like Elaine Hammond. Exposing these experiences is crucial to ensure that victims are believed, heard, and supported.
"I lost all confidence in The Active Learning Trust and no longer felt safe in my working environment because those appointed to protect staff chose to participate in the bullying."
Chrissie, Bullying in Education