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Original poster

Named in a grievance. So stressed.

60 replies

FormerlyFrikadela01 · 27/05/2017 16:56

I received a letter from my manager (NHS) on Monday saying I'd been named in a grievance and calling me for interview. The letter says I can take a union rep or colleague. I spoke with my manager and she said she cannot reveal any details about the grievance or even in what capacity I have been named. I cannot speak to any colleagues about it and cannot for the life of me work out what's it's about (I've actually only been back from maternity for 8 weeks).

I'm worried sick about this (not helped by my union rep not answering his phone).

Anyway I guess I'm asking is are they allowed to keep me in the dark over this? I've checked our policy and it's mostly about the person raising the grievance. How can I possibly prepare a defence of I need one without even knowing what this entails. I'm struggling to even function at work with the worry of it.

OP posts:
daisychain01 · 27/05/2017 19:46

Its early in the process. What tends to happen is they interview the person who has raised the grievance to gain the complete picture about what it's about and who is involved.

Then they either organise for an internal or sometimes an external investigator to lead the enquiry.

Close to the time when the subject/s of the Grievance are interviewed, they should be informed about the nature of the problem.

So it may be 2-3 weeks or longer before you know more. I would get your Union involved Early and also ensure you make it clear you want to be accompanied.

Have you been given the formal grievance policy document? Reading it may help you to prepare mentally, and ensure they abide by the process.

KateReddy · 27/05/2017 20:11

I'm doing this from the other side of the fence at the moment at the moment. I'm not your line manager BTW, I haven't sent any letters yet. Wink

Unless your manager is completely crazy, they will be following your Disciplinary or Grievance policy. It is quite usual to have an information gathering meeting, at this you will be given details of the complaint and then asked to formulate a response.

My advice would be to make sure you have your union rep with you, leave a message or email them and I'm sure they'll get back to you.

Please don't panic, there's always the chance this could all amount to nothing. It's pretty standard to say you cannot discuss the allegation with anyone other than your Union rep or line manager.

Original poster
FormerlyFrikadela01 · 27/05/2017 20:21

I printed it out myself for when I go in on Tuesday. It spends a lot of time going on about resolving informally first. However this hasn't happened because I haven't the faintest clue what the grievance pertains to. The letter explicitly stated this is the first stage of the formal grievance proceedings. I can't think of anything I've even been witness to never mind involved In Myself.

My manager, the separate manager doing the interview and the woman from HR who's arranged it all have all made it clear they cannot share any information. They also all state I cannot speak to anyone about this. None have come up with an explanation as to how I can exercise my right for a colleague to attend as long as the colleague isn't involved (as explained in the letter) if I cannot speak about it and cannot be told which of my colleagues may or may not be involved. Basically if I wasn't with the union I'd be forced to go in alone.

The whole process is infuriating and has me second guessing every interaction with my colleagues. It's horrible. Cannot wait for Tuesday to be over with

OP posts:
SouthWestmom · 27/05/2017 21:07

Hi is there any way you are just a witness op? It's usual to be told in that situation not to discuss it.

Dailystuck71 · 29/05/2017 07:16

Have you witnessed anything since you came back from mat leave?

Original poster
FormerlyFrikadela01 · 29/05/2017 12:00

I can't think of anything I may have witnessed. I've been lying awake nearly every night trying to think what it could be and I'm still coming up blank.

I guess I'll see tomorrow.

OP posts:
JustMyLuckUnfortunately · 29/05/2017 16:44

Just wanted to say good luck for tomorrow 🍀

SouthWestmom · 29/05/2017 16:49

Yes, me too.

geologyrocks · 29/05/2017 16:58

Good luck for tomorrow.

It seems very unfair that they can keep you in limbo over this.

insancerre · 29/05/2017 17:02

Op, I read your threads the other day and just wanted to say good luck for tomorrow
I think its very unfair that you have no idea what its all about
Hopefully, it will be something that you have witnessed

Dontjudgeme1 · 29/05/2017 17:02

I second that. Hope tomorrow goes well.

crazykitten20 · 29/05/2017 17:26

Good luck and lots of love 💕

Waltermittythesequel · 29/05/2017 18:08

Have you managed to organise your union rep to accompany you?

Don't go into the meeting alone!

PastysPrincess · 29/05/2017 18:11

Good luck Flowers

Original poster
FormerlyFrikadela01 · 29/05/2017 18:19

Thanks for the support. Union can't send anyone. Getting rid of them at the earliest opportunity, bloody unison. So I'm asking a colleague tomorrow otherwise it's just little old me. I would ask to postpone until the union can send someone but I'm hanging on by a thread as it is.

OP posts:
Waltermittythesequel · 29/05/2017 18:22

No, don't postpone if you're already this anxious but definitely a good idea to take your colleague in.

If you can't think of anything that it could be, I would say you're an unwitting witness to something.

Figgygal · 29/05/2017 18:24

Have you been named as someone who has done something or someone who may have witnessed something?

When is your meeting? It might be that if it is you who has been named to ha e done something they're not telling you in advance so you don't have opportunity to prepare/lie.

If you can't think of anything then I doubt you'll have anything to worry about

ShinyGirl · 29/05/2017 18:37

How unfair not to tell you what it's about. Good luck tomorrow.

LavenderDoll · 29/05/2017 18:40

Good luck. It could be that someone thinks you may have witnessed something. Whatever though good luck

user1471548375 · 29/05/2017 18:50

Its also possible that you haven't been named specifically, but that your team has and they're interviewing everyone from the team, or who works in a certain area etc.

ThistleofIona · 29/05/2017 19:47

A few years ago, a woman in my company got relocated. She didn't agree with the decision and wanted to stay put, and brought a grievance because she said the job was doable from where she lived. I was called as a witness as I lived near her and also did a similar job geographically. I had to say how I managed to do it (teleworking mostly) and her grievance was upheld and she didn't move.

So OP I hadn't actually seen anything yet was still a witness. Please try not to worry, it may well be nothing in the grand scheme of things.

Lollipopslife17 · 30/05/2017 00:55

Good luck I hope it all goes well. Stay calm

daisychain01 · 30/05/2017 05:53

All the best today.

SnugglyBedSocks · 30/05/2017 06:29

DH went through the process a couple of years ago but he was put on immediate leave. His was for bullying and intimidation.

Therefore I would have thought that if it was something like that then you would be suspended.

Do you line manage anyone? Have you had to question their work or refused a request? Have you made any mistakes in work?

TheObserverOne · 30/05/2017 06:33

Best of luck OP

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