Temporary redeployment and grievance

[Savannahuk]

I've been redeployed temporarily due to putting in a grievance against two colleagues for bullying and harassment.

My issue is that I am severily stressed, struggling to go into work each day and there is no work for me to do in the new temporary post. I've done a few tasks in the last few weeks but i was told yesterday by the manager that she does not have anything for me to do (that's 8hrs of nothing to do). Also, I get asked odd questions from new staff and get funny looks from people wondering what i am doing there (obviously i do not attend meetings, no talk about inviting me to the xmas lunch etc) I just feel more depressed about the whole issue.

I've discussed permanent redepliyment with my HR advisor who says she thinks it would be best i await the outcome of my grievance (the hearing is in January) She said she needs time to prepare the case properly.

I've requested annual leave yesterday and my manager seemed annoyed he then marched to the HR office (clearly he seems to expect me to sit there for 8hrs without anything to do while I sit with strangers getting on with their jobs). I just feel fed up. On top of all this I have a very unsupportive partner and three childre under 3.

I have already used up all my paid sick leave and can't afford to go on half pay. I don't want to quit without knowing the outcome of the grievance and with a bad record and no reference.

If you have evidence as you say, then why are you thinking of quitting and being so stressed? It will clearly go your way.

@Bluntness100 Because the whole place is very toxic/full of drama and I want to have a fresh start somewhere else.

A lot of new info has come to light about how bad my workplace really is

@Savannahuk in that case my advice is forget the grievance as public sector will take too long to see any outcome. I’d focus attention on checking that you will get a standard factual reference from HR ( get this confirmed in writing) and on finding a better place to work.

If they’ve taken this long to not even complete the investigation then they’re hardly likely to be taking it that seriously. There’s probably a lot of working out how to do as little as possible as an outcome as public sector is risk averse when it comes to tackling disciplinary issues.

I know that’s not what you want, it doesn’t sit well with me (I escaped back to private sector for a reason). But fight the battle that puts you in a better place. Focus on what is best for you. It sounds like that would be working elsewhere.

You should book your leave so it is not lost. Don’t ask for it to start tomorrow. Put in a request that looks like any other request.

For killing time, it’s time to learn. Find something to study even if it is only tangentially related to your job. Normally I might ask them to cover the cost of an online course, but right now I would look for free or cheap options. You might also just work on learning a language. Perhaps sign language so there are no issues of having to talk or listen in shared space.