Grievance - need advice on how to handle the wait (long - sorry)

[Arkengarthdale]

Morning all

I work in a large public-sector organisation and have been subject to bullying behaviour from my manager. This culminated in her removing responsibilities from me until she had re-written my job description (and I suspect downgraded the post to a lower payscale). I have tried to resolve this with union involvement but have got absolutely nowhere.

I have never had an appraisal (several years in post) and nobody has ever raised any concerns about my work.

I had been covering the work of more than one person for two years and carrying inexperienced and unqualified staff. This has led to work-related stress. When my day-to-day responsibilities were removed I was micromanaged by my manager which led to even more stress, which led in turn to a bout of depression (my employer knows about my mental health disability - it is normally controlled through lifestyle without recourse to medication).

On the advice of my union I submitted a grievance more than three months ago. An investigation is ongoing and I am currently working part time out of another office just helping out. I do not know if I am going to get my job back or be offered a different one at a similar scale.

I have no timescale for the resolution of the grievance (management is too busy with a crisis in staffing elsewhere) and the wait is causing so much stress.

I have just been told that they will no longer pay me full time until I'm up to full time hours, but I do not actually have a recognised job.

I would prefer to stay off work until they are ready to deal with me. Being in limbo is just so hard. Does anyone know if it is possible to insist on full pay until they are ready to do their bit? I can't get hold of my union rep as she is also too busy to deal with me.

I'm at my wits' end and any advice would be much appreciated.

Why were your hours reduced in the first place?

I'm supposed be on a phased return after succumbing to time off sick with depression (three months in total). But I have no idea what I'm 'returning' to.

Is the phased return not for a set period of time? Normally it would be x weeks part time then full time or whatever. Once the period is complete and assuming there is not a medical opinion that you are not in fact fit to work full time, you should be paid full time even if your employer is still sorting things and would prefer you not to return to your substantive role for the moment. Who's doing your job at the moment, is there a temp or something?

I believe my deputy is doing my job at the moment. I'm not allowed to be in touch with my (ex)team due to the grievance. I have been asked to work at another office 20 miles away. The phased return has not been managed - I don't actually have much work to do and I do not have a desk. There hasn't been a timescale agreed for a return to full time. The person who is supposed to be supporting my return to work does not know the extent of the grievance and does not want to know. I'm very much in the dark all round! I have taken leave to allow the employer more time to do their bit, but they haven't been able to complete anything yet.

I'm finding the vagueness of everything counter-productive. Sideways glances from colleagues (I'm in HQ building) asking what I'm doing there. some people have been so surprised to see me as they thought I had left. I just find it very stressful not belonging anywhere.

thanks for input!

Do not accept your union rep being too busy to help. Ring your regional office asap and talk to your regional officer representative.
This has gone on too long and i would certainly in your position start to wonder if this could be a case of constructve dismissal.
Your money is being reduced because of their inability to get their act together to resolve the grievance and deal with your phased return to work and i would look into your company handbook and see if there is anything regarding suspension on full pay.
Suspension on full pay is normally to allow the company time to investigate i am not suggesting that this is what should be done with you but if a company has a clause that states full pay is to be paid to allow the investigation to be done then this should also work in the opposite way. You should receive full pay its not your fault that they are taking so long to resolve your grievance.
Please get hold of your union thats what you pay your subs for !

Yes I agree about your union.

What does your most recent fit note say? Has your doctor signed you as being fully fit yet?

Hi Millerpup thanks for your constructive advice. The employer does indeed have a policy of suspension on full pay when an investigation is ongoing and it is made very clear that this is not an admission of guilt or a punishment in any way, just a clear field for the investigation to take place.

I have spoken to HR today and they are going to try and get in touch with my union rep. I will also phone the head office of the union again to ask their advice.

Flowery - the fit note recommends reduced hours, to be increased only with discussion, agreement and in an appropriate role.

Thanks again for input, much appreciated