I’ve been accused of coming into work smelling of alcohol.

[TheLightSideOfTheMoon]

I haven’t. I don’t really drink.

But this is the latest in a line of people lying about me.

I’ve come back today after two weeks of being signed off sick and an hour into my shift I’ve just been informed of this.

Now sitting in the staff room with panda eyes.My boss isn’t here. I don’t know what to do.

Part of me just wants to go home again.

You need to swot up on your rights about bullying in the work place....

I know. It just sounds so pathetic.

I’m in my 40s. Surely this should be behind me?

I’m so drained by it.

if this person is an agency worker, can they no longer be given shifts?

as its the same person making these allegations they need to be spoken to by your manager, you should not work with them try and always work with another member of staff, any nonsense you go straight to your manager

OP, from what you’ve described it should be very clear to your managers that you’re being bullied and slandered. The person has already made a serious complaint which was a lie and they’re still trying to make you look bad. Their motive for lying is clear and you can show texts to prove it. I’d be amazed if she hangs on to her job.

I don’t understand this though.if this is someone make falsely provided allegation every time then they would be the ones in trouble surely.it would be a clear vendetta

Have you officially been accused or has she simply been bitching to colleagues? Either way, this woman needs to be toast. What a cow?

I’ve woken up today so, SO depressed.

I haven’t been ‘officially’ accused of anything, but I’ve not seen my boss. I imagine they’ll want to chat about it on Monday.

I just want to cry. I’m so upset by this accusation.

I don’t think I can afford any more time off - bills are only rising. I guess I could see if I could get a few weeks as A/L at short notice.

The thought of going in tomorrow is gut wrenching. I’m not even a crier and I’ve cried over this.

I’m hoping HR are smart enough to see the pattern of accusations suddenly against me after years of working there without issue.

Please tell me HR are clued up on this kind of thing?

I just want to sit and cry. I spent yesterday wallowing in bed and today looks to be the same. I just can’t function.

Try to spend today writing a letter of grievance that this particular member of staff has previously made unfounded accusations about your conduct (evidence the ‘shouted at service user’ incident) and has now accused you of arriving in your workplace - on a day when you’re not working and only attending to hand something over - smelling of alcohol. You wish this to be investigated as a pattern of bullying by the other person as it is affecting your mental & emotional health as well as your ability to attend work and fulfil your contractual obligations without feeling stressed and distressed.

To be honest, your boss may want to chat with you about what has been alleged and ask for your version of events on that day - so I’d also prepare a timeline for that day of what you were doing in the run up to going into work (were you asked to drop stuff off or did you do so unannounced; was it mid morning, afternoon etc and what had you been doing beforehand - out to lunch or shopping or just driven over from home; this will help you answer any questions such as had you been out with a friend for lunch and had a glass of wine?’ ‘do you usually drink in the day?’ type things that may be asked.) but hopefully if he does, it’s will just reveal that, yet again, this is a malicious accusation and will get your boss on side to support you in your grievance complaint - he’s not going to want to spend all his time investigating unfounded accusations against a previously consistent and reliable member of staff who is now taking time off sick due to workplace stress and colleague bullying.

Okay, thank you. I can absolutely do that.

This whole thing has turned my brain to mush.

Sweetheart, if you can, summon up the strength to go in and ask for a meeting with your Boss. Don’t wait for them to approach you.

This needs to be addressed, officially reported and investigated.

I always thought myself fairly robust. I didn’t even realise that someone had a vendetta against me at first. It was all silly initially and I just thought he was an arse.

It grew to malicious allegations and much more. It went on for years.

For a fairly robust person, my hair fell out, my skin was raw and bleeding and I began to hope to just not wake up. I worked throughout and in hindsight should have gone off.

He went off sick because he found the very fact that I brought a grievance against him stressful.

I wish I’d fought back sooner and harder. And yes love, I cried.

I send you strength. And hope. You can get through this but you have to start kicking. 💐

And what loved said. 💐

His is work place bulling, his happened to my friend, accusations by the same person.

She put everything in writing to her manager, asked not to be working alone with this person, her boss backed her but the damage was done, she cleared her name and got a new job.

The person who said about their skin being raw - same.

I’ve broken out in hives all over which usually happens whenever I’m grieving.

Was going to phone ACAS and get my ducks in a row but they aren’t open Sundays.

I’ve written it all down. There’s four incidents (that I know of). And I’ve text it to myself so I’ll have it on me.

I’m supposed to be starting afresh with boundaries and stuff and one day back I’m reduced to this.

Wasn’t even a whole day, I’d been there an hour and a half when I found all of this out.

OP, years ago I had similar from a 'friend' colleague at work who tried to get in into all sorts of trouble.
As hard as it will be, go in to work tomorrow with your head held HIGH.
You have done nothing wrong. Don't let the bitch get you down as it'll only feed gossip and make it look like you're guilty of something.
Ask to speak to your manager and tell them matter of fact you want to make a claim about bullying. You want a formal meeting. Then go out there with your head held high, do not talk to colleagues about what steps you're planning to take as it will only get back to her.
You're better than this.

Do you know how bully’s win.by seeing you back down.don’t let them do this to you.so much easier said than done. But you can do this.
if they are this pathetic it’s laughable.if they want to do this to someone they are fuckers.
yoouve got a life to lead op,they clearly do not.

Why are people still suggesting hand sanitizer, diameters and perfume? OP has made it clear she didn't smell of anything and has been backed up by another colleague. Perhaps that's why the boss hasn't contacted you OP. If it was taken seriously I expect you'd have heard by now. Apart from anything else you weren't working that day so it wouldn't have even mattered if you were pissed!

Management should speak to you if they are questioning people about an incident.

find another job as working in care means there are plenty of vacancies and then they won’t have you anymore and you won’t be with mean bullies

I would also say, don't rely on HR. Not to initiate anything, anyway. Their job is to protect the organisation, not you.
HR will act if you start a grievance. or complain about bullying in the workplace, because failure to act will make the organisation legally liable.

You need to log this in a formal, minuted meeting with your line manager.
Write down everything you can remember about every incident, how it made you feel, whether you consulted a GP, emphasise the harassment, distress and stress it caused you, don't be stoic. Don't hesitate to name it as bullying and abuse. These words will trigger a better response.

Your organisation starting with your manager, has an obligation to protect you in the workplace, which includes protection from bullying.
i wouldn't agree to a mediation meeting with the bully/ies, either, stating it would be too confrontational and stressful for you. Often workplaces try this, as it looks as though they are addressing the issue on paper, it it often gives bullies/abusers more ammunition.
i wouldn't agree to being moved elsewhere, or a lengthy period of time off, either. I would agree to some paid leave, to regroup, but anything else will just shelve the issue. And if anyone moves, it's the bully.

Could it be your perfume? My friend always smells like fruit cider but it’s her perfume…

You can't loose your job without evidence. Either you falling round inebriated or a positive breathalyser test.
Ask for HR involvement and perhaps your union.
In the meantime get a Dr appointment, perhaps you are borderline diabetic.

Keep a diary. Be factual. Names, dates, times, location, conversation/comments made.

Collate evidence (screen shot any WhatsApp messages so they can’t be deleted).

Speak to your boss.

Follow up all meetings with an email “just to clarify what we discussed in our meeting…”

Inform your union. If you aren’t in one then join one.

If your breath does smell of alcohol despite being tee-total then book an appointment with your GP.

Good luck OP

Take the emotion out of it if you can. The more neutral and balanced you appear, the better it will be.

Please don't read from your phone.
Write it out or print if you can, with a copy for your boss too ready for the morning.
Email them today asking for an urgent meeting first thing tomorrow. Outline that you will be meeting them first before elevating the matter further.

You do not need to be defeated by this op. This is one person - one miserable person that has nothing better to do with their life than to hurt and make other people sad. The equivalent of the nasty kid burning animals alive with magnifying rings. This is just an adult version.

Go and explain clearly what has happened, ask for their help and support to deal with this.

No one can be accused of drinking at work with actual evidence. So please know you are in a strong position before you start. You can do this, and win. You have no idea how many others this person has bullied, take heart that there is likely a long line behind you, and in front of you. Please stand up for yourself.

*without!

Tesco garages sell breathalysers.
Keep one in your bag. When someone says it again do the test and shove it up her arse!

But honestly make a formal complaint please. She'll only get worse