Hi guys I'm just wanting a little help as it's driving me insane now and I'm sure my work are doing something wrong or should I say people keep telling me they are. I was suspended from work on the 15th of Jan for 'multiple procedure breaches' over a seven hour period after being pulled up we were then aloud to finish our shift before being suspended the day after. I then had to wait 2 weeks before my investigation meeting which resulted in the decision being made that it needed to go to the next stage (discipline) I was then made to wait a further 2 weeks before this meeting which turned out to be in all but the name another investigation meeting although I was double questioned by both the manager and HR manager which was extremely stressful. After the meeting I was then informed that it needed more time and I would either be required to attend another meeting or a decision would be made via post. Obviously I've really struggled with this as I'm now in my 5th week without any end in sight it's affecting me and my family, I'm not in a union so I'm unsure as to whether all this is even right I've has no contact with work whatsoever apart from telling me when I'm required in. Maybe it's just me but I'm thinking 5 weeks is a bit excessive and I'll admit I'm struggling now
Try Acas http://m.acas.org.uk I believe your employer is obliged to settle the matter within a "reasonable" time, but obviously that's open to interpretation. Good luck.
Does anyone know if it's possible to join the union and use the service straight away or couldn't I do that
Also you should have been given a copy of the firm's disciplinary procedures. They should be following them.
Is this on full pay 5 weeks is very excessive I would be inclined to go to citizens advice to get some help and advice sounds to me that they are trying to find a way to dismiss you it seems strange they allowed you to finish the shift to me that sounds like the matter wasn’t to severe
I've heard that as well but like you say it's open to interpretation although I feel 5 weeks and still non the wiser is stretching it s little
It appears strange to me, whereby after being pulled up, they allowed you to continue your shift. I personally would have thought if the offence(s) are/were so serious as to warrant a delayed decision, you should have been asked to leave on the spot.! I agree with Scarf ,might be worth contacting Citizens Advice. Incidentally is it too late to join the Union that's recognised at your place of work.? Ideally you really need to get some form of representation.
Yeh it is on full pay, in my letter telling me to attend my hearing it stated I could receive summery dismissal so I googled it and it's only for gross misconduct but I've not done anything that would equate gross misconduct it's like they are trying to combine all the little ones into one big one but surely they cannot do that
Ask them for a copy, they sound like cowboys. Then ring one of the bodies mentioned above for proper guidance.
This is what I was wondering also although the union rep at my place of work doesn't seem that good as it's sort of a thing done on the side for the company instead of something that is full time he's not overly knowledgeable
The usual answer to stuff like this, and I'm sure @Chef Tyke can confirm this, is "It depends on what it says in your contract". The contract may specify the time for disciplinary action, or it may be silent on it, which IMO means it's poorly written. Your first step would be to get your contract and read it. It's the first thing ACAS would ask for anyway.
Sounds like they are wanting you to throw in the towel to save them doing it If I was you I would join a union ASAP
Cheers scarf think it's something I'm going to have to do I feel as though they're struggling to find something substantial and are trying to cover their backs so I can't take it to tribunal it's just waring me down now
My union used to take up cases if you paid 6 months subscription. To take on a case. But in some cases people would then throw out. Once issue had been resolved even if successfully. Now will not take on a case unless joined union prior to a disciplinary. Only fair to members. Been in a union for 47 + years (rep for 20+) never had to use em . But would never consider not being a member. You may contact a workplace solicitor. Some give 30 minutes advice for free I believe. Don't quote me on it as rules may have changed via that route. Hope you have a successful outcome by the way. I don't know if you have union representation in the workplace. But anyone can join a union and will receive support. My wife had no workplace reps. But received excellent support. The place she worked at tried to ignore unions. Won her case hands down not only for herself. But they had to reverse final warnings that had been given to those not in a union.
My wife had an accident when she slipped on a patch of water that had leaked from a faulty dishwasher on her Wards dishwasher. She tore the meniscus in her knee. We handed the case to Unison, who engaged Thompsons Solicitors Leeds who got her compensation. They specialise in Company Law. Their telephone number is 0800 022 4224. Another route is to join Which Magazines Legal Scheme. I used them to fight a compensation case against Expedia. I paid £12 per month for three months. A Barrister phoned me and advised me what I should do re- Small claims Court and gave me the Act of law I needed to quote in my claim. They left me to sweat it out in the hope I'd not pursue the case, but conceded a week before the Court date. They were ordered to refund the cost of my holiday with a sum for the inconvenience caused and paid my costs. https://www.thompsons.law/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0-Pmw-3F4AIVBp3tCh1NNgC4EAAYASAAEgKn9PD_BwE