To want to tell my employer the full story.

[watchoutforthatsnail]

I am in the process of signing a ' compromise agreement' with my employer.
I am not happy about it at all really, and after my case being viewed by several employment law specialists ( Unsions/ solicitors and such) it was clear to them it was a case of vicitimisation from my boss and a total set up.

Im being paid off and have a new ( lower paying) job to start soon.

I had some property still at my workplace, which i asked to be returned. One of which items was a bag, the bag arrived saturday in an appaling state.

Its got a huge big crusty sort of stain/ lump on in in brown and yellow, it looks like somone has tried to wash it as the colours have all run, its crinkled to hell and its all mishaped and stretched.
I am discusted, esp so as only 5 people work there and they all knew it was my bag.

With this having happened, and it light of it being a total set up, AIBU to write to the board of directors ( who run the company) about all this, explaining why it was a set up, using all the info i got from unison/ solicitors etc. And about my property being damaged.

Or is it really not worth it, and i should just walk away with the money and leave it at that, my professional name cleared, but not my personal name cleared?

Have you secured a decent reference? If so, walk away.

If a bag makes you want to fight but the injustice didn't I find that a bit odd really, sorry.

You will have been given the choice of agreeing to the compromise agreement or continuing your grievance, possibly in an employment tribunal. You appear to have agreed to the compromise agreement, and I'd be surprised if it doesn't include some sort of final conclusion clause ie this is the end of it. In return, you will be getting a financial settlement I assume.

If you are not happy, then surely the obvious solution is not to sign the compromise agreement and continue your fight? The bag thing sounds utterly petty, and you have a new job to go to, so enjoy spending your settlement and onwards and upwards surely?!

If you've agreed a compromise agreement and been paid off, I'd not jeopardise this for the sake of a handbag. If you are unhappy about signing the compromise agreement then carry on fighting. But don't, whatever you do, base your decision around a damaged handbag.

im signing the agreement, i want the money and have a new job :)

thats not in question, im talking, if, after i have recieved the money, and its all done and dusted, if its worth writing to them, to explain the full info, that they might not ( seeing as they didnt even read the comprimise agreement, because they had no idea, and replied as such when i asked a few questions on clauses) understand what happened, and the manager is likely to do it again, as has had form and did it to the person in my role previously.

The handbag is not causing the argument, its just the final straw, it was my grandmothers, shes not with us any more. It got left behind as i thought i would be in the office the next day, only i got a letter when i got home saying i was suspended on full pay... and ive not been back.

There is no way the damage is accidental, its the whole bag that is trashed, not a little corner of it. The damage could only have come from staff, not the directors, they would have no idea as they are volunteers and not office based.

if there isn't a confidentiality clause in your compromise agt which prevents you from discussing any of the settlement / dispute with ANYONE at all, I would be very, very suprised. If there is, teh likelihood is that you would have to pay every red cent back to your employer and your agreed reference can be rescinded. You have also presumably lost the opportunity to go to tribunal at that point.
I cannnot therefore stress strongly enough that you must not breathe a word of it to anyone within that company without checking confidentiality provisions. Even if you're not bound, is a bag really worth it?

Having been in a similar situation I'd advise that you specify the wording of any reference you may require in the compromise agreement. I never needed it but was glad to have agreed wording about my fantastic work etc just in case. They then legally have to stick with it in the same way you have to keep quiet.

Good luck.

A compromise agreement generally has a clause that you don't discuss it ever again with anyone or you repay the settlement. I expect that also covers the Board of Directors and of its their company paying you off why would they want to talk? Take the cash, enjoy your new job.

I think I remember your earlier threads. I don't think writing to directors is the thing to do if you are accrpting the compromise agreement.

You could complain formally aboyt the bag, and only about the bag, since the damage is objectively something which ought not to have happened.

OR, given that you now have a new job (albeit lower paying), you could reject the compromise agreement and actually take it to tribunal. If you do this, don't mention the bag in your submission.

Glad to hear about the new job, BTW!

I would sign the compromise agreement, take the money, start your (hopefully lovely) new job and not look back. Don't let it taint your happiness or drag on. Forget that chapter and perhaps treat yourself to a new bag!!

Ok, thats helpful. I didn't realise it meant never discussing it ever, not even with the person who sent it to me.

You can't go back on the agreement. If you do, you jeopardise the only things you are getting out of this sorry situation. As I said before, you have two choices:

1. Abide by the compromise agreement if you have accepted it and signed it.

1. Refuse to sign the compromise agreement, tell the full story and take your employers to an Industrial Tribunal.

There isn't a middle course but there's nothing to stop you complaining about the bag. That's a completely separate issue.

I shall sign, ignore the rest and write them a letter about the bag then. Pleased I checked :)