If something doesn't feel right, you're not alone
If something does not feel right, you are not alone. Misuse of power and bullying can affect confidence, wellbeing, mental health and careers. Whether something is happening now, happened recently or years ago, we are here to point you towards two organisations that may be able to help: Licensed Trade Charity and Hospitality Action.
External support and resources
The Good Apple Effect does not provide counselling, legal advice or crisis support.
These organisations may be able to provide specialist assistance.
Licensed Trade Charity
Recommended for people working in licensed hospitality, including pubs, pub companies, bars and breweries.
The Licensed Trade Charity provides independent and confidential practical, emotional and financial support for people working in licensed hospitality.
If you chose to ring their helpline the first conversation is designed to understand your situation and help you identify the most appropriate next steps. Where appropriate, this may include counselling pathways and additional support.
Hospitality Action UK
Recommended for people working in hotels, restaurants, food service, contract catering, hospitality suppliers, public sector hospitality operations and the wider hospitality industry.
Hospitality Action provides independent and confidential practical, emotional and financial support for current and former hospitality workers. Your first conversation, should you chose to ring their helpline, is designed to understand your situation and help you identify the most appropriate next steps.
Where appropriate, this may include counselling pathways, practical advice, financial assistance and signposting to additional support.
Why we recommend the Licensed Trade Charity and Hospitality Action
Before recommending trusted support partners, we carry out careful due diligence to understand the support they provide, what people can expect and where each organisation is best placed to help.
Having conducted deep dive research, we recommend both organisations with total confidence.
Bullying signs
We base our definition of misuse on power and bullying on the ACAS definition.
Bullying
Behaviour that is offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting, and which undermines, humiliates or diminishes someone.
Misuse of power
When position, authority or influence is used in a way that creates unfair pressure, limits someone’s voice, or disadvantages them.
What can you do next?
This section will step you through suggestions and ideas of how best to move forward from here.
1. Take a moment to reflect
Write down what happened, when it happened and how it affected you.
2. Seek trusted support
Consider speaking with:
- A trusted colleague
- A friend or family member
- HR or management (where appropriate)
- A professional adviser
3. Understand your options
Different situations require different responses. The right next step may involve:
- Informal conversations
- Formal reporting
- Professional advice
- Emotional support
If you are still unsure
Misuse of power and bullying are not always easy to recognise. As you will discover in our Real Life Stories section, many people initially questioned themselves or were not sure where to turn.
Every situation is different. Take your time. Our aim at the Good Apple Effect is to help you make informed decisions and connect you with the right support but we do highly recommend the Licensed Trade Charity and Hospitality Action.
Important information
Both the Licensed Trade Charity and Hospitality Action provide confidential support.
Their role is to help people understand their options and access appropriate support. They do not investigate workplace complaints, provide legal advice or determine who is right or wrong.
The Good Apple Effect is not a counselling service, legal adviser, regulator or emergency support provider. If you believe you or someone else is at immediate risk, please contact the appropriate emergency service and remember the Samaritans are available anytime on 116 123.
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