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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to think this disciplinary is unfair?

84 replies

GucciTennisShoesRunninFromYourIssues · 04/09/2025 09:45

Hi all,

I'll try to keep this brief and stick to facts while keeping anonymous.
I have been at a company for 12 years. Never had a single bad word against me up until a week ago I was told I would be in an 'informal catch up' the next day due to lateness.
the informal catch up the next day was anything but that. I was told that I was possibly facing a disciplinary. I had no time to prepare, no examples of the lateness until the disciplinary. I got told days and times in the disciplinary but due to not being able to prepare I had no explanation. I did say there would be no unexplained lateness as I've never done that so I knew there's be a reason but as I had no examples of times I wanted to stick to facts.
I have been having IT issues which have been reported and tickets logged but nothing has been done.

I went away, videoed the IT problems which transpire that is causing the log in time to be later than I actually am logging in. I received the minutes back from the meeting and refused to sign them as they missed out crucial parts. For example, me telling them (that they know of) the IT issues that they are already aware of.
since then, I went away and was able to marry up log in times with IT issues on certain days (which they were also aware of) and have video evidence of this as well as internal call listener to, to IT.

I have offered and said I'd like to show my evidence now in the second meeting we had the other day. Not once have they viewed my evidence but are still 'discussing the chance of disciplinary.'
at no point did I receive a warning of this happening. Not once was I offered a witness. Should you be offered a disciplinary in the meetings leading up to the disciplinary?

the whole thing stinks quite frankly. I am looking to leave anyway. There have been many people who have disciplinaries in the last few months.

do I stand anywhere with this? I'm worried sick. I'm a single parent and actively seeking and interviewing for other jobs.

HR and my manager was in the meeting.

I have made them aware of every IT issue every single time. This seems desperately unfair. AIBU?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
tanstaafl · 11/09/2025 09:45

Are you working your notice ( at home maybe ) OP?

LittleBitofBread · 11/09/2025 09:38

GucciTennisShoesRunninFromYourIssues · 11/09/2025 09:25

They've since dropped the disciplinary, taken 2 of my protects away and made me redundant

Show quote history

As people have been suggesting, have you looked into whether they’ve followed the redundancy process properly?

Original poster
GucciTennisShoesRunninFromYourIssues · 11/09/2025 09:25

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 11/09/2025 07:45

Three parts to a dIsciplinary process ...

  1. Investigation (which must be full and fair).
  2. Investigation hearing
  3. Appeal hearing (if you appeal).

Looks like what you've had is informal - management can talk with you about any issues informally - stops it going straight to disciplinary when not needed.
If youve got the evidence try not to worry about it. Perhaps email them tge evidence so you have a trail - print it off and take it home.
Sounds like your management could get jobs at the post office!

They've since dropped the disciplinary, taken 2 of my protects away and made me redundant

OP posts:
HisNibs · 11/09/2025 09:06

Make sure you get the correct redundancy pay OP - https://www.gov.uk/calculate-your-redundancy-pay

12 weeks if you've been there over 12 years.

Do you need a reference from them because if not and they haven't followed the redundancy process correctly (which I seriously doubt they have), you can also take them to a tribunal for unfair dismissal. ACAS can be helpful but I found when it happened to me many moons ago that they were more pro-employer.

Calculate your statutory redundancy pay

Calculate how much statutory redundancy you can get based on age, weekly pay and number of years in the job

https://www.gov.uk/calculate-your-redundancy-pay

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 11/09/2025 07:45

Three parts to a dIsciplinary process ...

  1. Investigation (which must be full and fair).
  2. Investigation hearing
  3. Appeal hearing (if you appeal).

Looks like what you've had is informal - management can talk with you about any issues informally - stops it going straight to disciplinary when not needed.
If youve got the evidence try not to worry about it. Perhaps email them tge evidence so you have a trail - print it off and take it home.
Sounds like your management could get jobs at the post office!

GlosGirl82 · 10/09/2025 21:32

Speak to ACAS - free employment legal advice. This sounds like they are trying to get rid of your job without having to pay redundancy

Abitofalark · 10/09/2025 16:00

It looks as if it is a company in trouble and trying to shed staff. They took away the two projects from you - how convenient, so that they could then say your post was redundant. Very dodgy company trying to find some pretext to mount a disciplinary and suddenly it's redundancy after all, perhaps because you showed signs of being savvy enough to challenge allegations and 'disciplinary' processes.

It's worth checking whether they've selected fairly for redundancy and whether they've offered you the correct redundancy payments and notices - check your contractual terms and conditions laid out in any documents or staff manuals and also your statutory rights to redundancy payments - ACAS can help with this so phone them if you need information or advice. Also check out their website.

LittleBitofBread · 09/09/2025 12:36

123ZYX · 09/09/2025 10:19

Has a proper redundancy process been followed? You can only be made redundant if your role doesn’t exist any more. This could be in doubt if, for example, other people in substantially the same role haven’t been considered for redundancy or if they’re advertising for someone to take on the role that you’ve been made redundant from

Yep, make sure they're doing it properly (as they didn't do it properly when they tried to give you this 'disciplinary', I wouldn't trust them further than I could throw them in any legal/employment matters).

Jackiebrambles · 09/09/2025 12:36

What shameless bastards they are. Sending you support, make sure you get all you are entitled to in this redundancy, do not trust them!

Vera87 · 09/09/2025 12:26

Last year with no warning I was informed that disciplinary process had begun as an investigation carried out which led to a disciplinary hearing. I got a final written warning but it was a terrible shock when I had the first meeting which also suspended me. I ultimately left but it had a profound effect on me. Be kind to yourself and gather evidence. Ultimately if they have decided this process then there is little you can do.

Ohnobackagain · 09/09/2025 12:23

So they were trying to get rid without payment. Bunch of snakes @GucciTennisShoesRunninFromYourIssues treating a loyal hardworking employee like that. Please check they have paid you the correct amount for how long you have been there as well as paying you for untaken but accrued holiday and also any payment in lieu of notice. That will depend where you are (UK or not etc) but all info is available on government sites or citizens’ advice etc. Wishing you good luck.

rainbowstardrops · 09/09/2025 12:06

You’ll look back and thank your lucky stars that you were made redundant. How shitty of them to try and shoehorn you out first though.

YanTanTetheraPetheraBumfitt · 09/09/2025 11:51

Sorry to hear the update, it sounds like they were trying to hound you out prior to offering redundancy. Scum, what a way to treat a member of staff after 12 years!!! I hope they have followed redundancy process correctly?

Badgerandfox227 · 09/09/2025 11:40

GucciTennisShoesRunninFromYourIssues · 09/09/2025 09:26

Hi everyone.

just to make you all aware, I have been made redundant this morning.

the disciplinary has been dropped.

I feel so relieved, two parts really but it's obvious what they were trying to do. I financially have a few more the to find a job right for me. Thank you all for your help on this subject as it's all new to me.

onto bigger and better things!

it sounds like this is the best outcome, but how awful that they were trying to find a way to get rid of you without giving you your redundancy payment. Lesson to all of us to keep proper records.

Ive been made redundant, it’s a worry, but it’s actually been the best thing for my career. Best of luck with your interviews.

DipsyDee · 09/09/2025 10:25

What a terrible company they are to try to get out of the lawful process. They certainly did not deserve you and you are going on to far better things no doubt. All the very best of luck.

123ZYX · 09/09/2025 10:19

Has a proper redundancy process been followed? You can only be made redundant if your role doesn’t exist any more. This could be in doubt if, for example, other people in substantially the same role haven’t been considered for redundancy or if they’re advertising for someone to take on the role that you’ve been made redundant from

Pigeonwing · 09/09/2025 09:59

Thanks for the update. Sounds like you are better off out of there. Best of luck for the future!

JayJayj · 09/09/2025 09:48

Wow! So they were clearly trying to get rid of you so they didn’t have to pay. At least you are out now. Good luck!

BettyTurpinPies · 09/09/2025 09:41

Best wishes for the future, @GucciTennisShoesRunninFromYourIssues . it's the job that was made redundant not you.

Original poster
GucciTennisShoesRunninFromYourIssues · 09/09/2025 09:26

Hi everyone.

just to make you all aware, I have been made redundant this morning.

the disciplinary has been dropped.

I feel so relieved, two parts really but it's obvious what they were trying to do. I financially have a few more the to find a job right for me. Thank you all for your help on this subject as it's all new to me.

onto bigger and better things!

OP posts:
dragonfly52 · 06/09/2025 20:25

shiningstar2 · 04/09/2025 10:18

Are you in a union? If you are request union representation at your next meeting. If you are not in a union, in your position I would join one

If you are in a union, definitely get them involved but if you join a union whilst you are in an existing issue, they won't help.
Phone ACAS
You need to document everything
Minutes of the meeting, check before signing
Ask to see evidence from them.
They have legal obligations to follow as well as work place policy etc.
Hope all goes well. Definitely look on ACAS , Phone them for advice.

SirHumphreyRocks · 05/09/2025 20:36

MissHollysDolly · 05/09/2025 20:31

Keep evidence of everything. If you want to leave anyway may as well take them for constructive dismissal

You cannot just "take someone for constructive dismissal" - there are very strict criteria under which you can make a claim (and even then you would be likley to lose). The first of those is that you must have rounds for a rupudiatary breach and unless it is substantial (which this is not) you would have to drag everything through all appeal stages and THEN still have grounds to walk away. It is really hard to win cases of constructive dismissal. And if the OP had another job, even if they won it would be hardly worth anything.

MissHollysDolly · 05/09/2025 20:31

Keep evidence of everything. If you want to leave anyway may as well take them for constructive dismissal

JayJayj · 05/09/2025 20:26

It sounds like this was an investigation not a disciplinary therefore you do not need notice or eligible to have a witness.

You are right to not sign the minutes of the meeting if they are incorrect. Normally you should be able to add to them?! At my company that’s what we do.

GiveDogBone · 05/09/2025 19:09

Sounds like, the company is in trouble and they are trying to get people to quit. You know already you’d be happier elsewhere.