I detest this employer

[fabfriday]

Not sure what to advise my brother, can anyone advise what he should do, if anything.

He job is quite physical. They have monthly targets to meet which he can't due to his health. He is due to have a hip replacement next month.

He has a disciplinary on monday due to his target not being met. His manager knows the reasons but wont accept them. He cant go to HR as they wont get involved and refer him back to his manager. He works for Direct Line Insurance - motor insurance repairs so a big organisation. However each branch runs as they seem fit.

Brother is in early 60s now but really cant afford to lose his job.

My husband works there too. He was accused of not signing off job cards which the manager told him could lead to disciplinaryare . Husband asked to see the job cards as could not remember not signing them but the manager told him he no longer had the job cards on file!

Other employees have complaints but are told that there are many people out of work who would be happy to take their jobs so to get on with it and not complain.

Thanks

Hi there.

this sounds pretty unpleasant. Are you saying that it is due to his hip pain that is us physically unable to meet targets. If he had his hip replacement, he might well be able to get back on track?

Is he a long term employee? And how long have his hips been a problem? This is potentially a disability issue and if so, the employer would need to make reasonable adjustments. Presumably HR and his manager have been informed about the operation?

They are a huge company...they must have HR policies (grievance and disciplinary). He should ask to see them. Has process been followed?.
Hopefully an HR expert will be along shortly.

In the meantime, he should take a colleague in with him, take notes, and see where they are going.

Hi fedup, thank you for advice.

The manager did make some adjustments to his work but it is still physical work and his hip is the reason he cannot perform his job very well. His hip has been a problem for more than a year.

He has worked there for about 11 years.

There is a grievance procedure. They have to go through their branch manager first. The manager will not allow them to progress any complaints beyond him. The manager also has the support of the area manager so he brother cannot go to him.

Brother is scared of losing his job. He has to tread very carefully with his manager as he cannot risk angering him.

Ahhh wrote a response and have lost it!

This thread is worth a read....Urgent legal/employment help please, have been summoned to a disciplinary on Monday ....not sure how to link, but it has some great advice about disciplinaries generally.

The aim of a grievance is to get a sensble outcome for both parties...not sure how Direct Line's policy is helping there.

As your brother has a long term condition, this would in all probability be classed as a disability...and if dismissed, he could threaten to take them to the ET for disability discrimination (potentially a lot mroe expensive for them than mere unfair dismissal.

He should take a coallague / union rep with him to disciplinary and take notes. Find out what they are saying. And then take it from there....going on the offensive may help (see the other thread). If they think that your brother has had some advice on this situation, they may be more careful.