Named in a grievance. So stressed.

[FormerlyFrikadela01]

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.

They need to tell you what you are supposed to have done! Ask a colleague to take notes - you won't remember everything.

Good luck op

Good luck op!

Good luck OP.

And however rubbish unison have been, don't get rid of them yet. Depending on the grievance you may need support and if you leave/join a new one then unison won't help and your new union won't touch any out of date issues.
If you do need union support, ask to be put through to regional representatives rather than local ones.

Remember a grievance is not the same as a disciplinary or capability procedure!

I hope it turns out to be something innocuous and goes away easily and quickly.

Perhaps it's related to your maternity leave? The other party is not happy with her arrangements and wants to call you as a witness as a comparative example?

Good luck love

Good luck OP

If it's against you and you're not just a witness then you should raise it in the meeting that you've had no time to prepare or formulate a response and that you will respond in more detail after considering everything that has been said.

Its mad that you can invite someone but essentially cant as how do you know whether they are also involved?

Do not get rid of Unison! If you swap to a new union they may not be able to pick up existing issues and you'll be stuck with no union.

She already has no Union as they have refused to help! Just confirms my view of how useless it is being a member of a Union and I wouldn't waste any money on membership.

They've not been able to send somebody to this meeting. They have not refused to help.

Most union reps are not paid. They have their own jobs so it is not always possible for early meetings to get somebody.

In my line of work, if something happens then we are advised to contact regional branches to get a more senior rep.

It's still worth having. I always find it odd people not wanting to be in a union, but are happy to have the workers rights that unions fought for Eg. Sick pay, maternity leave etc. Equally, they'll take pay deals negotiated by unions (though ability of unions against the government and big firms is declining so I can only assume they'll be happy with a rush to the bottom on wages, attacks on sick pay etc).

They haven't sent someone to an initial meeting - very very different to refused to help.

At this stage it may be something or nothing, lots of these meetings will be nothing - people have posted above about being called like this and finding out they are witnesses.

Local reps probably also have their own jobs to do.

However the union is still there for advice and will be there prioritizing cases from what turns out to be nothing, to what they neeed to have a serious caseworker on.

Personally I've found being ina union in the NHS has been the difference between being walked all over and management backing right off.

I agree that just because the Unison rep can't be available today, it doesn't mean they're nit going to help.
Most reps have to fit their union duties round their jobs.

Just wanted to say good luck for today - was about to say same as the op up thread. I was also called as a witness based on a working from home decision. I was a nervous wreck till I found out though so I feel your pain!

Good luck. Hope it stops keeping you awake after you find out more.

Good luck today op must have been such a stressful wait for you x

Good luck - just wanted to reiterate others have said already that it's may be you're a witness but don't realise it. If you've done nothing then you've nothing to worry about -
Hope you managed to get some sleep this weekend - their timing was awful!! Keep your union as if it carries on they can help you - good luck

Good luck today.

Have nothing of merit to add but did have something similar (in education though), and I was needed for information rather than being the person investigated.

Can you get the meeting put off until your union rep is available? What do they have to say about this situation anyway? Can you contact them for legal advice?

I agree with everyone saying absolutely do not get rid of your union. You may need them.

good luck - it's very nerve wracking
I'm NHS and was interviewed re a formal patient complaint. It turned out not to be about my practice (in fact I'd be named as someone who'd been helpful) but another member of the team.

Good luck