grievance dragging on - do I return to work?

janebond007 · 2019-06-30 12:57:23

I have been off work LTS with anxiety brought on by a performance appraisal in which my manager said, and wrote, some discriminatory things about my disabilities in addition to untrue and inaccurate things about my performance. Things that were someone else's fault (which I can prove). The appraisal meeting was mid March and was absolutely horrible, resulting in lots of tears and a panic attack from me. I tried to resolve it informally and got my union rep involved. Unfortunately, long story short, the informal approach did not work and led to more discriminatory things being said. So mid April, I submitted a formal grievance against my manager and also complained about company policies which indirectly discriminate. This led to lots of pressure to withdraw the grievance and deal with it informally which I resisted. They asked me to go to OH which I did and OH said I can't return to work until it's resolved. OH were annoyed as it was the fifth (yes fifth) time they've seen me in just over 2 years yet my company don't really take any action on their recommendations. Fast forward to mid May, still no grievance hearing date, but I log into the company network to find that the original appraisal records are still showing me as under performing as well as discriminatory things about my disabilities. Not only that, my line manager has added more false statements during my sickness absence. And written hurtful and personal things like I am "not a popular member of staff" So I complain about this via my union rep and get a meeting with the head of HR who asks what I want. I said: * new line manager but same job as I like the job * reasonable adjustments, including awareness training on my disabilities * the appraisal records to be deleted of the untrue and discriminatory content * my manager to be disciplined for what she has said and written about me. (I am not the only person she has bullied either). Within my original grievance, I submitted a letter as well as a USB with scanned copies of all emails and other documentation to back up my grievance. It is now almost July, over 3 months since I went on sickness absence and over 2 months since I submitted my grievance. The head of HR said she would speak to the head of my department about getting a new line manager and getting the reasonable adjustments in place, and they hope to see me back at work ASAP But AIBU to still be unhappy? This is just a promise, it's not a guarantee. I've had lots of promises before and nothing has happened, or things will improve for a short time and start to slip. The appraisal records have still not been deleted. I have heard nothing about my manager being disciplined in any way. According to the head of HR, that is not my decision or something they would communicate to me. I don't know if I am going to get a grievance hearing or if I should push this or just let it go if I get a new line manager? I feel they haven't even read my grievance and fear it will be swept under the carpet. I fear they don't actually know everything she has done to me and that they think simply giving me a new line manager is enough. My union rep is good but I think she'd prefer to avoid the grievance hearing too. My family are keen for me to get back to work and don't see a need for a grievance hearing anymore. There are still so many unanswered questions, like how many people can see that appraisal record as its not private! It should be, which forms part of my grievance. We are a huge organisation, public sector, over 3000 staff who can potentially access my record! I am not a confrontational person, I am not good with words or standing up for myself as I just cry and cry. So I'm not really sure what to do. Do I go back, or do I keep pushing? And if I go back, I will have to see this manager as I'll still be in the same team. Also her manager who did not handle the informal process very well. I don't know what to say to them and I'm almost certain it won't go well as they will be defensive, angry and accusatory. Mediation definitely won't work although I expect it will be offered. I am actively looking for other work. I don't want an internal move. I want to leave ASAP but I need to work until I find something. Unfortunately all roles that are coming up are other parts of the UK, a large pay cut, or only temporary. Sorry for the long post. Would appreciate any advice.

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