Can I refuse to manage someone

[FrazzledFTworkingMum]

First time poster here, long time lurker!

Basically some drama has gone down where I work. Someone I don't manage should have been fired for gross misconduct somehow hasn't been. There is no doubt they did what they were accused of.

I fear that when they return, I will be asked to manage them. I feel that ethically I can't agree because this person's very presence causes safeguarding issues with the customers we work with. I also fear for my own mental health if drawn into this shitshow.

Sorry for frugal details, I can't say more.

AIBU to refuse to manage this person?

The allegations didn’t stand up, so it is reasonable for you to be asked to manage them. Technically they are innocent. All you can do is put forward your concerns in a business case and hope they listen. Be careful not to rely on gossip for your case. If you present the safeguarding risk, given proven examples.

Is there anyone else who can manage them?

thank you for your advice. I have the incident in question as an example which relies on facts. noone else to manage them at present.

If there’s no doubt they did what they’re accused of, it’s perfectly reasonable of you to ask how the decision was made to retain them.
Then go from there (with your safeguarding concerns etc).

Good luck! Tough position to be in.

Where I work, I know several managers refused to line manage one of my colleagues due to their behaviours and not following rules. There was no issue with them refusing, the person was eventually moved to another part of the company where someone agreed to manage them.

The question is whether there are ongoing risks to the business, and how will these be properly mitigated.

Would it put a professional registration at risk if you were to manage them? At the moment it sounds like you are in a vacuum of information so have no way of knowing if any safeguards been put in place or considered at all.