Appealing a grievance outcome repeatedly

[Quiliyp]

A colleague put in a grievance about me around bullying and harassment. It went to formal investigation - all 14 incidents/points which they had raised I was cleared on. I was able to provide extensive written (email) evidence to show this had not happened or was being portrayed in a different light by my colleague. All witness statements/interviews also showed I was innocent and again her version of events was incorrect ie “Quillyp shouted at me” - Quillyp was actually talking in a normal tone of voice.

When the outcome letters were sent out colleague immediately appealed the outcome. The points she raised were investigated by another manager independent of the first investigation, again, I was cleared of any wrongdoing. Outcome letters have gone out again.

Ive now been informed she has appealed against this second outcome and wants the whole investigation redone. The policy does not allow for a second appeal but work are inclined to let her due to her “distress”

Frankly I’m quite distressed at the whole thing. It’s been going on for nearly 6 months now (supposed to be a 28 day process). It’s horrible - I was cleared and she will not let it go

I can't see much duty of care being afforded to you here.

Do you think it would be useful to have a meeting with HR to explain how demotivating and stressful this has been for you, and that 6 months on you're now facing it all again. How are they supporting you?

I think you could reasonably claim that the allegations are libellous if in writing or slanderous. I expect HR if they thought there was a possibility of an action for defamation would act.

Though a grievance against the individual concerned would be a simpler process.

I was going to suggest this very thing.

This is harassment towards you, @Quiliypand it’s blatant.

I’d be suggesting you might need to bring in your own outside lawyers. And that you’ll possibly have to seek therapy due to the undue stress this has caused you.
Both at their expense.

What on earth are they thinking?? So this will be the third time her complaint has been investigated?

You absolutely need to raise a grievance against her and/or the company regarding how you are being treated. This is bullying at its finest!

Or raise a grievance that their failure to investigate properly means that you've suffered as a result !

Do you mind me asking what type of employer you work for? I ask simply because of differences in Public and Private Sector in so far that additional rules apply to Government Departments etc.

Counter grievance. You’ve done nothing wrong here.

And this is how HR end up dealing with a counter grievance.

You really should put one in. They also aren't following process. They can't decide the outcome of a grievance or apply, especially if there is new evidence. So they aren't even doing it correctly.

If you decide to follow the posts which are overwhelmingly in favour of putting in a grievance yourself, I appreciate it can be a very daunting task. In my experience I found some great FREE information on this website (I'm not advocating you paying for someone to write it for you); www.formalgrievance.com and together with the ACAS website.