Profile: Christine Pratt and the National
Bullying Helpline
Charity boss who claimed Downing Street staff called bullying hotline faces uncomfortable questions about her past and business interests.
Christine Pratt, the founder of the National Bullying Helpline.
The charity boss who claimed a number of Downing Street employees called her anti-bullying hotline to complain of workplace mistreatment was facing scrutiny today over her alleged behaviour and business affairs.
The most serious allegations concern claims that Christine Pratt, who runs the National Bullying Helpline (NBH), used the helpline to solicit business for the HR consultancy she runs with her husband.
One woman said that when she rang the helpline for "confidential, free advice" four years ago after being bullied at work, she was referred to Pratt's firm, HR & Diversity Management (HRDM), which provides mediation services, and paid them £250.
The Charity Commission investigated the helpline in 2008 after complaints that the NBH's website was registered by a business specialising in supporting those being bullied in the workplace. The commission found no wrongdoing but today said the charity would be reviewed "in light of the issues raised over the weekend and the complaints received today".
Jo Anne Brown, the founder of Just Fight On, a not-for-profit anti-bullying organisation, said she had received a number of complaints in the past three years from people upset after calling the helpline and being directed to Pratt's commercial business.
Adrian Melia, who runs Humane Resources, an employment dispute assistance service, said today he had complained to the Charity Commission some years ago about what he believed was a "conflict of interest" between the NBH and HRDM.
Pratt said that the referral arrangement had been approved by the Law Society.
Melia's concerns about the hotline were ignored led him to launch a blogwith the tagline 'The Bullying Helpline – the last thing you need if you're being bullied,' which lists various complaints made against Pratt and her charity.
Melia said he had twice raised the potential conflict of interest issue in 2007 and 2008 by writing to Professor Cary Cooper, the NBH patron who today resigned from the charity, although he received no response. Cooper today said he discussed Melia's complaints with Pratt, but the Charity Commission exonerated her in its 2008 investigation.
"Yesterday I made up my mind to leave after the breach of confidence of the highest order," Cooper said.
On the NBH website, anyone thinking of ringing is reassured: "Your call is confidential to us and you will be treated with dignity and respect at all times."
Ann Widdecombe, the Conservative MP for Maidstone and the Weald, became patron to the charity several months ago. She admitted she had recently made preliminary inquiries into the charity because of a complaint lodged with the Charity Commission "a little while ago".
"The charity commission had not found any wrongdoing and I was proceeding to look further," Widdecombe said.
Doubts were also raised over Pratt's claim to have beaten workplace bullies herself.
In 2003, an employment tribunal rejected her claim for unfair dismissal from her former employer, Sanden International (Europe Ltd). In thepublicly available judgement dismissing her appeal against the tribunal's decision, Pratt was found to have sent notes considered "discourteous and hostile" and "aggressive, accusatory and confrontational". She had also screamed in a colleague's ear.
The tribunal also dismissed Pratt's claim for discrimination on the grounds of race and sex and a claim that she had been paid less than a male comparator.
Pratt's decision to go public with the complaints relating to Downing Street sparked protests from other anti-bullying campaigners.
Another charity, Bullying UK, issued a statement saying: "We think it's a serious breach of confidentiality for an anti-bullying charity to reveal details like this where such a small number of people are involved and – much worse – could potentially be identified.
"It will deter other people from coming forward for help if they think that anti-bullying charities are going to splash their employer's name all over the media."
One woman who called the helpline in 2006 after being bullied at work, said she felt Pratt took advantage of her when she was at her most vulnerable. After two phone calls, the woman was invited to a face-to-face meeting with Pratt, who encouraged her to sign a contract for HR & Diversity Management. The contract, seen by the Guardian, says HRDM will provide "support and advice" for an initial fee of £250 and then a rate of £50 per hour.
"[Pratt] said I shouldn't go to lawyers, that they weren't experts in bullying but that she was, and she said she would go into my firm and do an independent investigation," said the woman, who did not want to be named.
Questions also emerged over the accounting practices of the NBH as the Charity Commission revealed the charity had has failed to provide financial information for the financial year which ended 30 September 2008. "We expected this information by 30 July 2009," said a spokeswoman. "If the charity's income for the year ended 30 September 2008 is under £10,000, the charity is asked to submit an Annual Update to the Commission, setting out key financial information. If the charity's income for that year is £10,000 or over, the charity is required to submit an Annual Return and Accounts.
"The Charity Commission has sent The National Bullying Helpline three reminders in respect of its outstanding information. These reminders have been sent to the charity on the 2 April 2009, 5 June 2009 and 9 August 2009 respectively. We will continue to pursue the charity for its outstanding information."
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