One of only two seismologists working at Cyprus’ Geological Survey has accused the Department of indifference to workplace bullying by unqualified staff in higher positions.
Seismologist, Sylvana Pilidou said she would no longer be updating social media accounts for the Department about recent earthquakes in Cyprus.
Ms Pilidou (pictured) said the entire issue surfaced after her Department head criticised her following the death of her father.
She said she joined the Public Service in 2006, and was immediately met with problems from another senior individual in the Department who bullied her.
Ms Pilidou said she tried to file a complaint the following year and was told that “lower level employees don’t file complaints about higher-ups”.
After insisting and filing the complaint, she was told to just sit tight and wait until the individual retired; something which she did.
Ms Pilidou said she updated the Department’s social media accounts after the Turkish earthquakes, which were felt in Cyprus, despite getting no overtime or other compensation.
“Earthquakes can occur at whatever hour and for years we have been requesting the Department head to establish an on-call system or shifts, so that we can better organise our schedules,” Ms Pilidou said.
“The answer was always no,” she said.
“Instead, we received only criticism if we failed to answer our work phones whenever they called.”
Ms Pilidou said she had joined the Public Service in the hope of making a difference.
“I tried,” she said.
“I believed these were issues of the previous generation, but there is no hope.
“This behaviour is rooted and passes down from generation-to-generation.”
Nicosia, 16 March 2023
