Is this misconduct?

[YouAndMeVsTheWorld]

Is this misconduct, would you see it as gross misconduct?

I have been in contact with a person (A) in an organisation with some concerns. Unfortunately one of my concerns came to fruition (thank safeguarding of vulnerable people)

I wrote to A’s superior but it got automatically
sent back to A, twice. A did nothing with my email, didn’t refer back, or pass on. Nothing. Then A went on holiday for 6 weeks.

I think A should have done something, especially given the concern is safeguarding of the vulnerable. The supervisor doesn’t come across as concerned.

help me please should this just happen and all is ok?

What is the stated procedure of the organisation? If they haven't followed procedure then that's obviously wrong.

So a is the person you’re complaining about and you think it’s misconduct thay your complaints about a, which a got, have not been actioned by a.

have you some form of vendetta against this person. It’s kind of odd.

Their procedures say they should acknowledge the complaint within 3 days, full response within 20 working days (current clock is sitting at 19 days)

I’ve sent a few emails and tried ringing but still getting the silent treatment more or less, issue was finally reassigned to someone last Monday. They didn’t contact me until Friday.

Which bit do you think is misconduct? The original thing that caused you to email or that your email got sent to A and A did nothing about it?

Yes A was supposed to be doing something to help the vulnerable. They didn’t and made things worse and then ‘a very bad thing’ happened to the vulnerable person.

thank you for your response, I am concerned that I come across as someone with a vendetta, but part of me is also concerned.

I can’t imagine failing so badly in doing my job to be in a position where someone complains. And then ignoring the complaint, and then going off on holiday. And when your job involves safeguarding.

That’s a pet of my problem I think.

the original handling of the whole situation was a shambles, and I see it as negligence. Then ignoring when I raise concerns of negligence. Both are really troubling. But then the organisation itself is passing me from pillar to post. it feels like cover up

Is it a accountable to any governing body Ie. ofsted, CQC, LA? You could report to that instead. A breach of duty of care may be misconduct but that is internal.

Thank you yes within the realms of the public sector and therefore there are further governing bodies.

I just wanted A to do their job, I want to make sure that is reasonable

You obviously can raise it to a governing body- make sure what you’re actually talking about is negligence though because you will make yourself awfully unpopular if you report to CQC (or similar) for something that is not generally seen as negligence.

I’ve sent a few emails and tried ringing but still getting the silent treatment more or less, issue was finally reassigned to someone last Monday. They didn’t contact me until Friday.

So the complaint is now being looked at? There can be many reasons, not least of which are staff shortages due to holidays, Covid and assorted sundry other things that happen in workplaces, why things don't get dealt with promptly. It is not up to us, or you, to determine whether some mysterious and vague "problem" is misconduct, never mind gross misconduct. It does rather seem that you want it to be misconduct, rather than simply having a concern that you would like resolving. So before you go off making allegations anywhere, I would be very sure that this isn't more about you having an axe to grind against some person - that could backfire on you.

This might fall under whistleblowing. Look at the government website and think whether this would be an appropriate way to report it - bearing in mind that it will be obvious that you have made the report even if you stay anonymous.