They can’t make me work with him?

[SurelyNott]

Name changed for this, for several years I have managed a man who also became a close friend, he had some MH issues and I supported him through it.

Last year I became suspicious of some things and long story short due to a report I made he is now awaiting charges and conviction on serious sexual offences against young boys. I am due to stand as a witness in court. In the intervening time between him going off on sick (as a result of the report he ran away and attempted suicide) and coming back, I got a secondment away from the role.

Anyway I’ve been told I’m going back next month, I thought I could handle this as a professional but am now really struggling to see how I can manage a man who ultimately I’m standing in court accusing of paedophilia!

I’m going to speak to HR but wanted to bounce on here if I am being unreasonable and should just get on with it. I’m finding it all a bit “triggering” from my own past and am generally uncomfortable.

YANBU at all! That’s awful, well done for reporting him though .

If you don’t get any joy with HR it maybe worth speaking to the police as it may impact on the court case.

YANBU - and your employer needs to manage this.

That's crazy! Definitely NBU

Good God no YANBU.
I’d have thought it could also affect the court case, surely.

Thank you, reporting was one of the hardest things I’ve done, he was a friend, he’s played with my kids!

Interesting point about the police, may call him in the morning and ask.

The whole idea of it is really messing with my head tonight, really thought I was going to be ok!

I feel sure the police would want you not to come into contact with this man.
I would take that route out of it.

@SurelyNott

Name changed for this, for several years I have managed a man who also became a close friend, he had some MH issues and I supported him through it.

Last year I became suspicious of some things and long story short due to a report I made he is now awaiting charges and conviction on serious sexual offences against young boys. I am due to stand as a witness in court. In the intervening time between him going off on sick (as a result of the report he ran away and attempted suicide) and coming back, I got a secondment away from the role.

Anyway I’ve been told I’m going back next month, I thought I could handle this as a professional but am now really struggling to see how I can manage a man who ultimately I’m standing in court accusing of paedophilia!

I’m going to speak to HR but wanted to bounce on here if I am being unreasonable and should just get on with it. I’m finding it all a bit “triggering” from my own past and am generally uncomfortable.

When is the court case? Presumably he will be going to jail if found guilty and then your problem will be solved. I would speak to your line manager - you shouldn't reasonably have to work with him surely?

I didn't know workplaces kept people on who were awaiting trial for offences against children. Are they really going to await the outcome of the trial before deciding how they feel about that?

@Panaesthesia

I didn't know workplaces kept people on who were awaiting trial for offences against children. Are they really going to await the outcome of the trial before deciding how they feel about that?

Well yes, because our justice system is based on you being innocent until proven guilty you can’t sack someone for being suspected of a crime! Although dependant on what it is you might be reasonably suspended (if OP and colleague were coming into contact with children for instance as teachers).

OP I don’t think you being a witness against him and working with him is conducive to the case being successful so speak with your case officer and ask their advice before going to HR, but no I don’t think you should work with him (I doubt he wants to work with you either!)

Yep innocent until proven guilty which is right (and would result in a tribunal if they didn’t I’m sure!) he doesn’t work with kids in our workplace so no need for garden leave.

There is a huge reputational risk but what can you do? I am going to call the OIC of the case and ask about conflict.

@Panaesthesia

I didn't know workplaces kept people on who were awaiting trial for offences against children. Are they really going to await the outcome of the trial before deciding how they feel about that?

Yes they do, happened to us, we had an odd ball who worked on the same floor as me (company with several floors), he was ok, just a bit odd, didnt have many friends and kept to himself. He was moved off our floor onto another floor doing different work, management said it was because he was struggling with the work we were doing.

About 3 months later he is front page of the local newspaper for sexually abusing his neices and was sent to prison.

Work knew, he was moved as the court case revoked his security clearance and he couldnt work on that floor anymore. Nothing to do with the work load.

It does sicken me that we worked with him and managers knew everything. But i guess that is our justice system, innocent till proven guilty. Work couldnt sack him as technically he hadnt done anything wrong, he had to be convicted first. He actually thought he was going to get his job back when he got out of prison.