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Original poster

Grievance Meeting in a coffee shop?

43 replies

QueenVictoria · 05/01/2006 16:20

Just a brief explanation - i want to know what people make of this.

I am going grievance with my ex employers as i felt i was being treated less fairly after going part time (from full time). This was over a period of about 18 months. I handed in my notice and wanted answers about my treatment. That was in October.

The MD initially responded to me by letter saying "your manager denies the emphasis of your point etc etc" so i replied that i had requested a grievance hearing and felt the letter didnt answer my questions. It has taken over 6 weeks to arrange a meeting. The original one he suggested was a less than 24 hours notice and i couldnt find childcare at short notice.

I suggested tomorrows date before xmas and he has finally confirmed it this afternoon. However, the arrangement is for me to ring him with a LOCAL COFFEE SHOP for the location.

Might just be me but this seems incredibly informal for a grievance meeting to me. BTW - the company is a LARGE multinational, not some tin pot small business.

What does anyone else think?

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LadySherlockofLGJ · 05/01/2006 16:23

I think they are extracting the urine, do they not have a board room, or a meeting room you could use ??

I would suggest that you reply, stating that you consider the matter to be important and that you do not consider a busy coffee shop to be an appropriate venue, and that you look forward to hearing from them in due course.

Earlybird · 05/01/2006 16:24

Sounds inappropriate and somehow disrespectful.

Would you feel comfortable returning to your old office location for the meeting? Seems there might be a spare conference room that could be used for such an occasion. If you don't wish to return to the office, where would you feel comfortable having the meeting?

Kelly1978 · 05/01/2006 16:24

sounds to me like they tryign to brush you off and not take it seriously. I would say it was innapropriate.

Original poster
QueenVictoria · 05/01/2006 16:31

One of the offices is very close by. I had assumed that this would be the arrangement.

I dont know if they are trying to keep things quiet about my grievance, or whether there is something else to it.

He is driving approx 50 miles (i think) to meet me in the first place (he is sited at the hq - i always worked in branch offices) so its not like he's being awkward as such.

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WigWamBam · 05/01/2006 16:34

Perhaps he's just trying to find neutral territory for the meeting, a setting where neither of you will feel more comfortable than the other?

It wouldn't bother me, but as it obviously concerns you then maybe you could contact him and state that the choice of venue is unacceptable to you, and you would prefer it if the meeting could be held somewhere more appropriate to the official nature of the meeting.

LadySherlockofLGJ · 05/01/2006 16:37

How about the lobby of a nice hotel ?, It would be far more appropriate to have coffee and a chat there. IMO

popmum · 05/01/2006 16:38

My husband has attended meetings like this as the manager and I have to say they are usually held in a neutral place. The company would possibly not want you to go to the office as you have left the company and unless solititors are involved a coffee place may well be a good neutral place.
I would also also say you are entitled to nominate someone neutral to take notes - this could be someone from the company or someone else you choose.
If you don't have someone taking notes, i would take them myself and then write them up and copy them to him after your meeting so everyone is clear on what was discussed & agreed

Original poster
QueenVictoria · 05/01/2006 16:42

Maybe i am being a bit paranoid about it. i dont know. Ive just never heard of it before. Certainly not with a company as huge as this, and the portfolio he is responsible for.

Have just worked out - he'll be travelling across 2 counties to get to me. Its a long way to travel to be so "informal".

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Original poster
QueenVictoria · 05/01/2006 16:44

Unfortunately LGJ there are no nice hotels around here. Otherwise would be a bloody good idea. Wish i lived just round the corner from The Ritz.

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Original poster
QueenVictoria · 05/01/2006 17:49

anyone else have any views on this?

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sunchowder · 05/01/2006 17:54

I live in the US, so my views won't matter. Personally, I would just go and get it over with. It does appear that they want this to be on neutral ground and convenient for you. I hope this works out in your best interest QV.

Flossam · 05/01/2006 17:56

ARe their likely to be any coffee places near you which would be nice and quiet?

Original poster
QueenVictoria · 05/01/2006 17:57

The local greasy spoon or MacDonalds!

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Original poster
QueenVictoria · 05/01/2006 17:57

thanks sunchowder

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Flossam · 05/01/2006 17:59

Hmm, wow, are they paying?

Original poster
QueenVictoria · 05/01/2006 17:59

I should hope so - he must be on about 100k pa

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sunchowder · 05/01/2006 18:01

Welcome QV!

Mud · 05/01/2006 18:06

soujnds apropirate to me
take a dictaphone though and put it on tabnle ostentatatiously

Hadalifeonce · 05/01/2006 18:09

Excuse me jumping in here, shouldn't someone from HR be 'in' on this meeting. Surely the company won't want him opening his mouth about something that might end up going to tribunal?

Original poster
QueenVictoria · 05/01/2006 18:11

good point - he is the MD though.......?

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Hadalifeonce · 05/01/2006 18:11

Maybe the MD, but doesn't mean he knows anything about employment law!

Original poster
QueenVictoria · 05/01/2006 18:18

am hoping they would be that stupid

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Hadalifeonce · 05/01/2006 18:36

Here's to stupidity and huge amounts of hush-money!

Freckle · 05/01/2006 18:51

Can you take someone with you? If you are truly unhappy about the proposed venue, you could state that you are not prepared to conduct a grievance meeting in a public area.

You are entitled to take a union representative or work colleague with you. Have you asked anyone?

Original poster
QueenVictoria · 05/01/2006 18:52

thanks hadalife. Wish i did have someone to take but everyone is all holidayed out and busy back at work

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