I think my colleagues are taking my belongings!

Ralf302 · 2021-07-25T20:13:45+00:00

I have no proper evidence of this. But I had to raise a grievance about my colleagues due to bullying. It's still ongoing so I don't know where my employer is at with this just now. I came into work last week to find that a personal belonging, A photo of my child had been taken from my desk, Then it was my notepad and since then a few other things of mine have gone missing. I feel if I mention it It will give them satisfaction as I am upset. But I want my photo back and there's details I need for work in my notebook. I don't want to look crazy as I have no evidence but I know deep down its them! [hmm]

GrrRightBackAtYou · 25/07/2021 21:28

That is so awful.
So sorry you are going through this, I think I would have to go to the boss and mention it to add to the other complaint but I always end up doing the wrong thing. I hope someone comes along who can advise you the best way to deal with it all. I Just wanted to bump your thread

RandomMess · 25/07/2021 21:31

Urgh do you have a lovable drawer to use going forwards?

Gazelda · 25/07/2021 21:31

Has anything been done or said to stop the bullying while the investigation is ongoing?

I think you should speak with the person handling your grievance, even if it's just a quick email asking for an update and a short, factual mention that some of your belongings have gone missing and you're wondering whether this could be connected.

Original poster

Ralf302 · 25/07/2021 21:33

@RandomMess

Urgh do you have a lovable drawer to use going forwards?

I have a drawer but it doesn't lock. I mean apart from things going missing they're always drinking my coffee that I put in there etc.

They have no common courtesy.

But taking this picture of my child has really upset me and it's making me very anxious.

OP posts:

Original poster

Ralf302 · 25/07/2021 21:35

@Gazelda

Has anything been done or said to stop the bullying while the investigation is ongoing? I think you should speak with the person handling your grievance, even if it's just a quick email asking for an update and a short, factual mention that some of your belongings have gone missing and you're wondering whether this could be connected.

Just the grievance, Which they have said may take a while.

I feel it all sounds really petty. But it's a picture of my child. I feel if they've binned it and they tell me to be cruel I'll lose my temper which is why I don't feel I can ask them outright. The notebook contains very confidential information which is also worrying me.

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PepperPepperMan · 25/07/2021 21:38

Why do you have a notebook with confidential info in it lying around?

What time frame has passed since raising the grievance and how long have you both worked there for?

Original poster

Ralf302 · 25/07/2021 21:40

@PepperPepperMan

Why do you have a notebook with confidential info in it lying around?

What time frame has passed since raising the grievance and how long have you both worked there for?

It was in my drawer under things, Where I always put it. They won't provide me with the means to lock my drawer so I put it in the safest place I can.

Not sure what the relevance of the last 2 questions are.

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JackieCollinshasnoauthority · 25/07/2021 21:47

Knowing how long the grievance is taking and what length of service you have will help people advise you on how best to proceed.

PepperPepperMan · 25/07/2021 21:48

Relevance is, trying to find out how long you have been left waiting since raising the grievance and also time employed would affect the disciplinary process (if it was needed after the grievance was raised)

The notebook is an issue for you. You should have kept it on your person or shut in your laptop bag etc. Will that info being shared lead to a gdpr breech on your behalf?

Original poster

Ralf302 · 25/07/2021 21:48

@JackieCollinshasnoauthority

Knowing how long the grievance is taking and what length of service you have will help people advise you on how best to proceed.

I don't know how long it will take, it's been about 3 weeks since I put in the grievance. And I've been there for 2.5 years.

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Original poster

Ralf302 · 25/07/2021 21:49

@PepperPepperMan

Relevance is, trying to find out how long you have been left waiting since raising the grievance and also time employed would affect the disciplinary process (if it was needed after the grievance was raised)

The notebook is an issue for you. You should have kept it on your person or shut in your laptop bag etc. Will that info being shared lead to a gdpr breech on your behalf?

I don't have a laptop bag or anything, and we're not allowed to take paperwork home. Management know where I keep it etc. It's a very secure office space. Well until my stuff has started going missing.

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Original poster

Ralf302 · 25/07/2021 21:50

I suffer from extreme anxiety and unfortunately they know this, so I feel it's being used against me.

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PepperPepperMan · 25/07/2021 21:51

What information is missing? I know you are posting about a bullying issue. I'm wondering if you are being set up for a gdpr breech which is a disciplinary issue, for you.

Original poster

Ralf302 · 25/07/2021 21:52

I'm also not sure how long the others have been with the company to be honest. Much longer than me definitely!

Sorry I missed that bit out.

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Original poster

Ralf302 · 25/07/2021 21:52

@PepperPepperMan

What information is missing? I know you are posting about a bullying issue. I'm wondering if you are being set up for a gdpr breech which is a disciplinary issue, for you.

I wouldn't say it's anything severe ( For the line of work I'm in) It's mainly details of calls I have taken and the information I've needed to pass on.

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Charmtaste · 25/07/2021 21:53

Talk to IT and get a motion sensor camera that looks at your desk that you can activate when you leave your office. Put a new picture and a few other items as bait. Catch the person in the act and then send the evidence to management.

PepperPepperMan · 25/07/2021 21:54

@Ralf302

I'm also not sure how long the others have been with the company to be honest. Much longer than me definitely!

Sorry I missed that bit out.

It's ok, as you are all over 2 years service the companies disciplinary process will be in place.

Still worried about gdpr on your part though. Do you have enough factual evidence in place for your grievance?

Original poster

Ralf302 · 25/07/2021 21:55

@Charmtaste

Talk to IT and get a motion sensor camera that looks at your desk that you can activate when you leave your office. Put a new picture and a few other items as bait. Catch the person in the act and then send the evidence to management.

I cannot do this. That is very clear in my contact re recording things without permission etc. I would be sacked for gross misconduct.

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GalaxyGirl24 · 25/07/2021 21:55

God they sound vile OP, like horrible toxic school bullies.

Have you told management about the missing items? Sorry if you've already covered this.

💐💐💐 feel for you it does sound like hard work, don't let them get any satisfaction out of what they're doing. It'll spur them on. Keep a log of everything and any dodgy behaviours or hints dropped.

drpet49 · 25/07/2021 21:55

They have gone too far taking a photo of your child. That is really vindictive. I really feel for you OP.

Original poster

Ralf302 · 25/07/2021 21:58

I had quite a bit of factual information, But a lot circumstantial too, But management assured me they believed me as it happened before I was in the job also and the exact same pattern of behaviour etc.

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bigbaggyeyes · 25/07/2021 21:59

Report the missing items to HR, and also request a lockable draw if you're not allowed to take items such as notepads home. Let HR draw their own conclusion, you don't have to accuse anyone of taking the items.

Dear HR

just a quick email to get an updated on where you are with the grievance issue we discussed on X date.

I'd also like to inform you that I've had a number of items go missing from my desk/draws over the past week. This includes a photograph of my child, coffee and a notepad. The notepad does contain information required by myself to carry out my role, and of course the photo is of sentimental value to me. With this in mind, are you able to supply me with a lockable desk draw please as company policy states I can't take work items home with me.

Kind regards
X

Original poster

Ralf302 · 25/07/2021 21:59

@drpet49

They have gone too far taking a photo of your child. That is really vindictive. I really feel for you OP.

I am heartbroken over the photo, It's sent my anxiety sky high, if it's not been binned what have they done with it? I think it's very strange if it's sitting in one of their drawers or something.

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Original poster

Ralf302 · 25/07/2021 22:00

@bigbaggyeyes

Report the missing items to HR, and also request a lockable draw if you're not allowed to take items such as notepads home. Let HR draw their own conclusion, you don't have to accuse anyone of taking the items.

Dear HR

just a quick email to get an updated on where you are with the grievance issue we discussed on X date.

I'd also like to inform you that I've had a number of items go missing from my desk/draws over the past week. This includes a photograph of my child, coffee and a notepad. The notepad does contain information required by myself to carry out my role, and of course the photo is of sentimental value to me. With this in mind, are you able to supply me with a lockable desk draw please as company policy states I can't take work items home with me.

Kind regards
X

Thank you so much.

I'll send an email tomorrow.

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Birminghambloke · 25/07/2021 22:13

HR shouldn’t need to provide you with a lockable drawer for a personal photo. I don’t understand why people think these are appropriate in the workplace. However, I echo what PP have said about GDPR and leaving a notepad with confidential information in where it can be accessed by others. This is your biggest concern IMO as that’s a potential disciplinary offence for you. I think you need to come clean on this to management/ HR- mitigation that you raised it as soon as you were aware.