To want a written apology at the very LEAST?

[fumingmum]

Yesterday morning I had a phone call from HR and they asked me to come and see them urgently. I was mytified but went along only to be faced with the head of HR telling me that one of the junior staff had put in a complaint against me saying that I was bullying him. He's not a staff member in my department but I deal with him quite often. I was told I was to be suspended until it was dealt with and I was not under any circumstances to contact him.

I pleaded total innocence as I had certainly NOT been bullying him although in my view one of my colleauges had. I was told that I had to leave the building immediately and they would be in touch.

At 3pm today I came home to a a message on my answer phone to say that I could come back tomorrow morning as they'd mixed up the paperwork and I ahd actually been cited as a WITNESS by the officer involved. There was not a word of apology. I phoned ot confirm and again not a word of apology just a statement I could go back tomorrow.

What do you think I should do? I've just been suspended for 2 days for no reason.

(I'm a regular poster but I've name changed as some of my colleagues use mumsnet)

I am in bits - its easier to sound "normal" in writing. Believe me I'm shaking and keep bursting into tears.

I have to go and see them with my boss tomorrow morning.

I would be tempted to phone in tomorrow and say your not coming in as you have to seek advice from your Union/CAB... and make them sweat.

I do realise though that in this current climate that may not be wise

Trust no one in HR ? Oh, how you would be surprised at how often us untrustworthy types in HR hold line managers back from acting incredibly unfairly.

OP, you have been treated appallingly and I am shocked that this has happened. Suspensions are never taken lightly where I work and I would go as far as saying I cannot imagine such a thing happening. This is truly a shocking case of incompetence.

Had you complained about your colleauge bullying the member of stafff in question? I assume you must have seeing as, "I had certainly NOT been bullying him although in my view one of my colleauges had".

I would put in a grivence of my own - its the only way the person will understadn how much this has upset you. Try posting in emplyment issues, there's loads of fab people who can help you with how to handle this. [Look out for flowerybeanbag]

I would say under the circumstances the Doritos etc are absolutely necessary.

It's your turn to put in a complaint. You have been treated abysmally, and whoever handled the complaint was utterly negligent. I would imagine as a result of the complaint the written apology will follow.

Don't let them soft-soap you though with reassurances you won't be adversely affected. They'll be aware they've made an enormous cock-up and will be hoping you won't take it further.

this is dreadful. Clearly they did not check their facts before going off half cocked and really they should apologise for their mistake its quite simple.
Let us know what they said.

I hope it goes well today.

An apology, flowers and wine is the way they should go.

Bloody hell - can you imagine their faces when they realised their mistake?!

Make sure that there is no paperwork whcih suggests you are the bully, there might be something in your file for instance and you will need to make sure all traces of this mistake are eliminated.

I don't think YABU for wanting a written apology but can't see what more you would get.

"Trust no one in HR"

Just to make it clear - I was not referring to HR people in general. I was refering to the HR dept at the OPs firm.

They messed up big time here and will be very defensive, they will also be worrying about legal action.

The OP needs to be very calm and precise in her letter (as others have said).

OMG

Good luck today.

what antagony says makes sense but frankly an atmosphere has already been created wtih HR (not of your making) as you're always going to be a subject of caution as the person they wrongly suspended.

but definitely think a greivance is the way forward - an apology is obviously nice but you need to make sure that the repurcussions (ie reputation, record etc) are dealt with properly.

I may moan about HR (they are a soft target at times imho) but there are some good people out there and I've never heard of this kind of incompetence (you think you'd be so careful about this kind of thing as I imagine that procedure is all).

This is totally shocking. I'm not surprised you're in pieces. Let us know how you get on today, I've got my fingers crossed for you.

Just to update you.

Things are not so bad as I expected. The entire team and a couple of other teams have received an email from head of HR and department stating that fumingmum was suspended in error and that they apologise to me.

I have looked at my file and they destroyed all the related paperwork whilst standing in front of me and put it through the shredder.They've left the email to staff on file though which is good. I've also received a large boquet of flowers from HR and a written apology note from the staff member "responsible". I am not happy about that as he's junior and the head of HR should have CHECKED the papers before suspending me!! I think they're after a scapegoat myself.

I've said to them that I'm going to talk to my union and have not decided what further action to take and they looked horrified. They know they've made a massive mistake (perhaps I should have insisted on making copies of everything before it went through the shredder!!)

Still feeling a bit sick to be honest. Don't think I'll be doing much work today and may go home early with a stress headache

how horrible for you.

That's good news fumingmum, and loved the description of their faces when you mentioned the union - you go girl! No more than they deserved for such a horrendous mistake on their part, even if you don't decide to take it any further.

Entirely understand why this has given you a headache though - can you have a word with your boss to explain how you're feeling and ask if it is okay to leave early today (i.e. NOW)? They would be pretty inhuman to say no, imo.

Thanks for keeping us posted - I was really on your behalf.

THAT"S an apology!
Now let it go

Sounds like a bloody typical HR cock-up.

Thats good news fummingmum.

Keep a personal physical printed out copy of the apology email at home with you and make some notes of what happened for yourself and put that with the email in an envelope in your home files just in case.

All credit to your HR dept. They did the decent thing but I have bitter personal experience of exactly the opposite.

Yep. Lodge a grievance. Appalling.

Aha! Good.

well they did a good job of apologising although there is no reason why you shouldnt go to your union should you wish to.
Hoping you are feeling better though