Employer dismissed me, now wants to hear grievance. Please help!

[Tootiredtosleep]

So, I raised a grievance with my employer back in July this year, and a further grievance re a protected characteristic.

They acknowledged the first grievance and invited me to a meeting with the Director (who the grievance was about - it's a small company - no HR). I asked for a reasonable adjustment, could it be held in written form and this was not acknowledged.

The further grievance re the protected characteristic (race), was never acknowledged by the company.

However, they invited me to a disciplinary whilst I was on sick leave, for gross misconduct/fraud. I was subsequently sacked. They were wrong on all counts of what they accused me of. However, for one small thing I had no evidence, and it was upheld as 'reasonable belief'.

The last correspondence from them re my grievances was 27th July 2024.

I have now filed a case at the tribunal for race discrimination, sex discrimination (they contacted my ex husband to find out information) victimisation (raising disciplinary after I done a protected act) and failure to provide an employment contract.

All negotiations with ACAS have failed. They won't communicate.

However, some 5 months since they acknowledged my grievance, they have now written to me to say they would like to hear these grievances and want me to attend a meeting. This is one month after I have been dismissed. It wasn't mentioned in my dismissal letter.

I know I need to show the tribunal that I have exhausted the grievance procedure, but surely contacting me after all this time, when I am no longer an employee is wrong? Can anyone advise?

I have tried to keep it brief, but can provide further details.

The Tribunals are usually fair.

To Tootiredtosleep - best of luck.

You can ask you GP for a short course of Zopicone to make sure you get a good night sleep before cross-examination. Just make sure you try it before the big day - in case Zopicone doesn't agree with you

This sounds a horribly stressful process @Tootiredtosleep Ive nothing of use to add but I hope this all comes good for you next week!

Good luck Op!

I think it must have already happened, as on 12th OP said that it was less than a week before it went to trial?

I really hope she won and got a massive settlement and is on holiday somewhere

@LaurieFairyCake unfortunately not!
The trial is imminent, but I don’t to give exact date. I didn’t want to

I’m like a nervous wreck. But I will go and do my best. I know they’re wrong, and what they done is wrong and they are lying. I just hope the judge can see this. I do have a barrister. I’m not sure if they will or not. Their solicitor came off record a week or so ago. But they may have a barrister.

What sort of minor detail? Can you give an example of the sort of thing they would throw out a case for?

Thanks

This, don't be putting your head in the lions mouth... no union support, no hr m, no proof or evidence if you go, stay away.

They don't pay you anymore no on the clock for such meetings.

FYI I run a small business and pay got external hr, there is no reason why they couldn't have had hr support apart from nit having a clue how to run a business legally.

His solicitor didn’t submit a record of a meeting
This cast doubt whether the meeting happened
And on that basis the whole thing was thrown out apparently obviously this is not something that I was involved in so I cannot comment on whether the claim was in fact you said it or not but that was their version of events

I have no doubt this will go in your favour. Hang tight!

Sometimes I find it helpful to define what would be the absolutely worst case scenario and what options I have if I had to deal with it.

Once I identified the worse case scenario and my strategies to overcome the consequences I usually feel very calm.

I would also say seriously consider one week of sleeping pills. Just make sure you try them a few days before the hearing in case they don't agree with me. Employment Tribunal is not a nice experience.

I hope it helps

Good luck. It could be done

Good luck op when it comes. Stay calm, and get through it, I am sure it will be worth it. Do update when you can.

Thanks for all the advice and support. I really, really appreciate it.

@Kosenrufugirltoo late for sleeping tablets. The hearing is at 10am in the morning.

@Scared0112I sincerely hope so.

My employer was taken to tribunal before and settled on the day.

Does anyone know why the solicitor may have left them a week before the hearing? Does this happen often? And what’s the likelihood of a barrister representing them, without a solicitor?

My mind is racing with all the possibilities.

Good luck Op!

OP, you need to focus on what you can do rather than things outside your control.

Go for a walk, then have a bath and get an early night.

Tomorrow arrive in plenty of time however be prepared for the hearing to be delayed for all sorts of reasons.

Bring your headphones with you and a face mask if you have it and try to relax as much as you can until you are called to give evidence.

Control what you can control and leave the rest to the Universe.

Good luck. It could be done

I've come off the record prior to a hearing due to lack of instructions and funds. As you know, in advance of the hearing you need to commit to barrister fees, that isn't something my firm will allow unless linens up to date on fees and paid money on account going forward to cover things like barrister etc.

Good luck.

*unless client is upto date, not liens!

Oh dear it sounds like they’re shitting themselves! Haha. You could use some legal advice here though. Of course you have to follow grievance procedures but if you’ve been dismissed then surely that’s not applicable.

Good luck for tomorrow. I hope you can finally put this all behind you.

Good luck!

All the best OP, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow and wish it goes well.

Good luck today xx

Thank you, everyone. I’m so nervous I feel sick. But I’m ready to face it. I’ve fought so long, so can’t give up now.

Best of luck to you!

Good Luck!