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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

176 replies

madamovaries · 17/03/2022 10:31

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?

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 17/03/2022 12:17

If you raise a grievance do they have to fund it?

notapizzaeater · 17/03/2022 12:18

Are you in a union ? Have legal cover with your house insurance ?

MordenLarch · 17/03/2022 12:20

Definitely take legal advice. So sorry you’ve gone through this Flowers

StaplesCorner · 17/03/2022 12:35

Put in a call to ACAS and get some advice - I'd say take the new job too regardless of the maternity leave position, you can't be constantly under this stress.

QuantumHypothesis · 17/03/2022 12:40

Another vote here for serious legal advice @madamovaries

muddyford · 17/03/2022 12:41

Ask the company which wants to poach you whether they would be prepared to offer you maternity leave/pay as if you qualified in the usual way.

WeirdlyKind · 17/03/2022 12:43

The absolute first thing you need to do is save any evidence to somewhere they can't delete it. I'd probably print a few copies and post them to myself as well as saving them to a separate thumb drive.

Then get some proper legal advice.

BambinaJAS · 17/03/2022 12:44

Sounds suspiciously like you are being railroaded because they are protecting someone or something.

Get a lawyer and go to an employment tribunal.

Get all the evidence now before it starts evaporating.

If they have been willing to take it this far, it is very unlikely they will back down.

sunshineamongsttheshitstorm · 17/03/2022 12:44

Why have you gone along with this?
This is shocking.

marqueses · 17/03/2022 12:46

I'm trying to work out if this is a real thread or one of those ones where the OP writes as if they are a person in the news

How would this even happen? Don't you have an HR department or union?

Milomonster · 17/03/2022 12:47

Sorry you are going through this. I agree, union and solicitor. Although a different issue, there are parallels with @bearyhumcrack post (post title contains - accused of posting on LinkedIn). I suggest reading that or even contacting her for strategic advice. Best of luck.

RandomBasic · 17/03/2022 12:47

This is above Mumsnet paygrade. Call the employment advice helpline.

MrsCremuel · 17/03/2022 12:48

You need to take out a grievance this is unacceptable. Why have they singled you out? Is it because you are a woman? Because of so this is discrimination and you take this to tribunal. Outrageous.

squix · 17/03/2022 12:50

ACAS and your organisation's Whistleblowing policy would be my first port of call

MrsCremuel · 17/03/2022 12:50

At the very least it’s breach of trust and confidence! I’m so so angry for you. Does this have implications for future employment?

TheUsualShitshow · 17/03/2022 12:51

@WeirdlyKind

The absolute first thing you need to do is save any evidence to somewhere they can't delete it. I'd probably print a few copies and post them to myself as well as saving them to a separate thumb drive.

Then get some proper legal advice.

I know this isn't the point of the thread, but why would you post documents to yourself, instead of just putting them in your bag and taking them home?
MrsCremuel · 17/03/2022 12:51

As everyone else has stated ACAS and an employment lawyer ASAP.

scootalucy · 17/03/2022 12:52

So sorry to hear this OP. What you have to do - straightaway is join or talk to or join and talk to your union. You need advocacy and legal advice. Don't let your work make you a scapegoat.

Whatafustercluck · 17/03/2022 12:53

Another one here who doesn't understand why it wasn't your fault but you're taking the blame, unless you're his line manager.

Whatever the reason though, it needs dealing with. HR, union, legal advice? If it's a public scrutiny job, there might be an employment tribunal route if not resolved to your satisfaction.

I made a horrendous mistake once (think front page local newspaper, data protection type thing). I admitted the mistake, took steps to rectify etc. My colleagues could not have been more supportive. My line manager offered to bear the brunt, but it was my mistake and I'd never dream of allowing anyone to take the heat for something I caused, even if it was human error.

BambinaJAS · 17/03/2022 12:55

i Know this isn't the point of the thread, but why would you post documents to yourself, instead of just putting them in your bag and taking them home?

Jobs in the public sector that have a lot of scrutiny usually require background checks and security clearances.

She may not be allowed to take any papers out of the building. It also possible they monitor the email system as well (so your forwarding email would get blocked to an outside email address)

Best bet is to take a picture with your phone of the evidence if this is the case.

Lindy2 · 17/03/2022 12:56

This isn't acceptable.

You need to put this right and the best way to do that is to get proper professional advice. I would suggest ACAS or Citizens Advice as a starting point.

If you don't put this right and clear your name this is always going to hang over you. The sooner you act the better.

Mrsmadevans · 17/03/2022 12:56

ACAS your HR dept and your Union asap . Good luck OP

CircleofWillis · 17/03/2022 12:59

I know this isn't the point of the thread, but why would you post documents to yourself, instead of just putting them in your bag and taking them home?

Is this some kind of proof of date thing? You don't open the envelopes until you need them and are with some legal bod or other who can verify that they were sent on a particular date from the stamped date.

GinPalace2 · 17/03/2022 12:59

Definitely speak to ACAS and your TU then raise a grievance. They have effectively trashed your professional reputation and this can have long term career and financial implications. You may seriously regret not taking action.

It’s also potentially discriminatory, making a pregnant female employee take the blame for a male colleagues error. It’s like you are expendable because you are pregnant.

Mummyoflittledragon · 17/03/2022 13:04

This is disgusting. Some companies seem to enjoy scapegoating. Women are already on the back foot and this could be sex discrimination as someone mentioned and constructive dismissal.

I agree you need a reputable employment lawyer asap before the company tries to completely bury the evidence. It sounds as if they may be forcing you out.