To feel aggrieved about the way my former employer handled misconduct

[WyclefJohn]

I'll try not to make this too outing for obvious reasons. I joined an organisation with a fixed term contract where I was placed in a team with a senior colleague. After a while I recognised misconduct by this conduct which I could not ignore. I told our joint boss not realising they were both friends. I was frozen out of projects and the situation deteriorated, and could see my contract would not be renewed. I went to higher management to explain my problems and see if I could move department. Higher management informed my boss, who called me in for a dressing down for speaking to higher management. At the end of my contract, surprise suprise, it wasn't renewed and my career at that institution ended.

At the same time, office gossip told me this had happened time and time again with previous staff. After I left, staff were asked to complete a survey, and many many people anonymously reported the problem (business trips to places with no business, sexual harassment, etc) . An investigation was called where I was asked to be a witness. I was later informed there was no absolute proof of wrongdoing. I never received any feedback, and I hear from former colleagues that nothing has changed.

Am I being unreasonable to feel aggrieved by this, knowing I lost my job because of misconduct, and the organisation brushed it under the carpet?

[laureywilliams]

Sounds awful and YANBU to feel aggrieved.


Seems like we have very few rights as contract workers though and I'm not sure you have any recourse. Hope someone else will come along who has a better idea.

[WyclefJohn]

Yes, it at least seemed to me the problem of organisations effectively covering up misconduct, for the "good of the organisation". I've moved on and in a fortunate position.

[MrsHathaway]

DH had issues as a contractor and felt very aggrieved at the time, but longterm it affected the wrongdoer far more than him and it meant he was available for a more interesting contract which ultimately led to his current permanent role.

You did the right thing.

[CoughLaughFart]

Is there anything that could be a police matter?

[BabsGanoush]

do you know who the auditors are? Is a public sector - can you whistle blow? Report to HMRC?

[WyclefJohn]

Apologies for the slow reply - unfortunately I had the impression too many times that those at the top would find ways to not care, and too much of what happened was ambiguous (e.g. I can't beyond doubt prove i lost my job because I reported misconduct)

[KimmySchmidt1]

is it in a regulated sector such as financial services? If so report it to the regulator.

also you know that there are new whistleblowing laws protecting you right?

www.gov.uk/whistleblowing/what-is-a-whistleblower

[WyclefJohn]

Unfortunately it was in the academic sector, and in a European neighbouring country. I don't feel there is much I can do in the way of redress. I just need to forget about the whole thing really, but I find it very difficult.