Work made me take the blame when it wasn’t my fault

[madamovaries]

I have a job which involves significant public scrutiny. There was a screw up at work where a male colleague messed up - I did nothing wrong, as my employer has repeatedly stated - and for complicated reasons, I’ve been made to take the public flak for it. I asked the company repeatedly to make clear it wasn’t my error but they refused. My (nice) colleagues are shocked and don’t understand why this man has been protected at my expense.

It has had a big knock-on effect on my ability to do my job as everyone I deal with keeps raising it with me and some people are even refusing to work with me. Over something I didn’t even do! The bosses keep saying it will blow over but it hasn’t at all.

It has also affected my health. I got sick with the stress, then caught covid. I also had a miscarriage which I don’t know was related obviously but has broken my heart.

I don’t really want to leave the job right now as I’d need to be somewhere else a while to qualify for mat leave pay, but should I just cut my losses and go elsewhere (another employer has thankfully been trying to poach me). I guess that would help restore my confidence which is at absolute rock bottom.

Aibu to feel my employer has failed in its duty of care?

I think you need to speak to a union or an employment lawyer, this is all kinds of wrong.

Do you have anything in writing that effectively states that you had nothing to do with the issue?

Do you have an HR department and have they been involved?

Yes, I should state that I have correspondence from the company that clearly states “everyone knows this wasn’t your fault” at all.

Thank you for replying. I really appreciate it.
Feel very lonely right now.

Do you have a union?

I think you need to seek proper advice on this!

Do you have legal cover with your house insurance?

I need more info about why you were cited as the cause of the issue but it was him.

Solicitor

@NorthSouthcatlady

I need more info about why you were cited as the cause of the issue but it was him.

Me too - are you his line manager?

I would make moves to leave and also explore if you have legal cover that could assist in an employment claim.

First thing - ring ACAS for advice, or your union if you have one.

Problem is this issue might follow you.

When I read the first couple of paragraphs, I thought, “oh, Priti Patel is on Mumsnet”.

But seriously, if the role involves public scrutiny, and presumably public censure, you need to insist that your employer makes the position clear. The problems are obviously not blowing over, are they? Have you explained the circumstances to the colleagues who are refusing to work with you? What does your employer have to say about that?

Can you "mistakley" forwad the email to the whole team?

Are you his manager? Can you go to a union or an employment lawyer? This sounds insane, they can’t just bully you into this.

On the face of it, of course YANBU, but you need to explain "for complicated reasons" a bit more.

I doubt anyone here can help you, so I hope you are in a union.

You need a union or employment solicitor. You are being used as a scapegoat for this man and you have written evidence that they say it was not your fault.

The employers wording is odd, why not just say it wasn't your fault or you weren't responsible. Surely the problem is that everyone doesn't know it wasn't your fault.
Without knowing more about the situation it's impossible to say more.If you belong to a professional organisation there may be implications for you.

@Iamthewombat

When I read the first couple of paragraphs, I thought, “oh, Priti Patel is on Mumsnet”.

But seriously, if the role involves public scrutiny, and presumably public censure, you need to insist that your employer makes the position clear. The problems are obviously not blowing over, are they? Have you explained the circumstances to the colleagues who are refusing to work with you? What does your employer have to say about that?

My mind went straight to Allegra Stratton…

That aside, you really need to speak to a rep or a solicitor. This has had a big impact on you and it isn’t right.

Have HR been involved? Do they know people are raising it or refusing to work with you? what do they think of that?
In any case, speak to an employment solicitor for advice. This should not drive you out of your job.

You need to get in fight back mode.
Union or legal advice.

Constructive dismissal?

If you are a manager, even if you didn't make the mistake, you could be deemed liable as responsible for the actions of people below you.

You need to get copies of all evidence in your favour off work systems and secure at home. Then get yourself a shit hot employment lawyer.

Not a nurse are you? That’s usually the process when things go wrong in that profession!

If you are being blamed for someone else's mistake then it needs reporting and dealt with properly , the guilty person could make a mistake again, was anyone harmed. Is this covered by your whistleblowing policy.

I don’t really understand what has happened. They can’t ‘make’ you take the blame unless you allow them to. You have a voice, use it!