Awful work situation

[Lala458]

I'm in a horrible situation at work. I'm part of a workplace disability equality group (safe space for people with certain protected characteristics).

Recently someone who is on my team, and also who is also in the group sought support about someone else on our team who they feel has discriminated against them. This has resulted in a grievance and now an ongoing investigation. To the point that they are searching our emails and communications using specific search criteria. I am not worried about this as I use my emails professionally.

What I'm concerned about is that as this was all disclosed in an equality group meeting, we are bound by confidentiality. I feel like I'm lying to my current managers when they make reference to something going on and I'm playing dumb, but equally if they now know that I was in the meeting it was disclosed in, I worry about this coming back to bite me as the person in question is quite high up.

I don't know if it was discrimination or not. I don't know the finer details. I just feel stuck in the middle and need to talk to someone about it.

I don't know if I have explained very well. I'm dyslexic so sorry if I'm not making much sense. Has anyone any advice?

It sounds awkward but at the same time as you have said you don't really know the ins and outs. I would imagine that as long as you keep yourself out of it and let the formal investigation take its place and get on with everyone as usual then any issues will likely be between the people directly involved? If you're bound by confidentiality then you're doing your job and fulfilling your role and they should understand that. Are you in a union?

You explained perfectly. Can you simply say to you managers that you are bound by the confidentiality and that you are uncomfortable discussing anything relating to the inquiry or even having it talked about when you are present?

Make sure you document everything, even if only for your own records/protection.

Managers know you can't say anything. Just keep going as you are.

So the problem is that you know which two members of your team were involved, and your managers do not?

That general conversation is happening about ‘an investigation’, and you know more about it than they do, albeit not the full details?

Are their guidelines about how the situation is discussed? I’d expect statements like ‘as you know, an investigation is underway, please do continue working in your usual way. Do not discuss the investigation as that could jeopardise the outcome. Anyone needing further information will be consulted.’

Your manager should not be asking you questions...

If they have queries they should be liaising with HR.

Ignore this and simply reply that you don't know anything and don't have anything to share.

Most organisations will have a written policy in place regarding complaints and how they will be investigated that is being followed and your manager should be well aware of that.

Hello!

do your managers seem to be trying to get information, or are they trying to support you? (or are you not sure?)

I’ve been both a manager and closer to your situation in confidential situations.
If the situation is causing you a bit of stress or taking time from other work, I would imagine it is okay to say something to your manager like:
’ something formal/hr related is underway within the group. I’m not able to share the details but want you to be aware if I seem distracted or need time off for meetings etc. please note that this is confidential - according to HR/X person.’

If I was your manager I’d be concerned for your wellbeing as stuff like this is always stressful. I would encourage you to make any other changes you need or extra breaks etc just to ride it out.

if they keep trying to discuss details rather than your wellbeing or you feel more caught between things, is there an hr person you can have a word with?

Who manages the group / sets the requirements for confidentiality? I might also cover my back by emailing them to say that I was sharing xyz with my manager so they understand what I’m doing in work time, but wouldn’t be revealing any details or names.

It's my manager that the grievance is against. I don't think she's trying to get any further info from me. It's more that I've had to take on some work that the person who put the grievance in would usually be doing (she's off sick. I think). I said 'I hope she's ok' and my manager said 'I can't really say anything'. Lots of scenarios like this with people asking me if I've spoken to her and if she's alright.

I would say that you’ve had to take on their work as they’re off sick and you can’t chat… see if they take the hint….?

The person who may have been discriminated against shouldn’t have brought up names in a group. Presumably everyone who was in this “safe space” gathering knows the allegations and the individual being accused. I would consider laying down some ground rules, including no names. You are keeping your counsel, but anyone else who was there may disclose what was said, even accidentally, regardless of any confidentiality agreement.