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Original poster

Suspended from work!

263 replies

BeckiF · 04/01/2005 12:20

Maybe W & R can help me here. I am a manager and went back to work today after Xmas break and was taken straight up to the conference room where a string of allegations were made against me and I have been suspended on full pay. The allegations range from the ridiculous (i.e we only play my choice of music in the office, when I'm in a bad mood the office suffers etc. etc.) to the serious (i.e I have touched this male member of staff on the back of the neck. We are a tactile office and there are others far more tactile than I).

I am devestated and in utter shock. I am not able to talk to anyone from work except my director, and yet this guy remains at work and could be saying goodness know what. I've been there 2 years and he has been there 6 months and has already been moved from one dept as he wasn't up to scrathc and I agreed to have him in my office! This is the thanks I get.

What is my position?

OP posts:
handlemecarefully · 04/01/2005 14:50

BeckiF

They will take witness statements from other colleagues and staff in the office. This should explose the accuser as the troublemaker that he is - since others won't agree with him.

Original poster
BeckiF · 04/01/2005 14:56

Aloha - yes, I'd love further info on the employment lawyer if you can give it to me.

OP posts:
candycane · 04/01/2005 16:54

Just wanted to send hugs BeckiF - could CAB be of any use? Have you got anything in writing that you could take to show them? How did your director seem towards you? I really feel for you and am sorry I cannot offer any advice, just send hugs.

sis · 04/01/2005 19:38

Oh Becki, how awful for you! I am sorry I missed this today - being good in my new job and not mumsnetting on my first day.

I would echo what others have said about the need to suspend when a serious allegation is made until it is investigated. Has this man behaved in an unacceptable manner to you? You mentioned a party when he put his head on your chest - you need to sit down and try and make a chronological list of events relating to him including any rude/snide comments he may have made so that your employers have a clear picture of the situation.

One of the reasons that you have been suspended is probably so that your employer can ask your other staff about the allegations - did they witness anything etc? He will need to be very specific about any allegations he makes as you cannot be expected to defend yourself from vague allegations. If this does go further, you must ask for date and time of each incident and what was said/done by whom and whether there were any other witnesses and if so whom. It is really your employers job to do all this but just in case they haven't asked for the relevant info you need to be prepared and state that you cannot answer any allegations until you know the detail of the allegation itself!

What about his use of internet? has he been 'abusing' it too? You sound like a lovely kind manager who probably doesn't like to be authoritarian and get people into trouble but if he is making unfounded allegations against you, it is worth thinking more about his conduct with a less lenient mind.

Again, all my sympathies, it sounds awful but I hope it is resolved very quickly and you can get back to doing your job which you are no doubt, very good at.

At the moment, we are in the process of getting a new computer and will be changing broadband providers and therefore will have new e-mail address - so I am a bit difficult to CAT but feel free to try as I would be more than happy to discuss anything off-line if you prefer. And a new job means that I must be seen to work at the office so I may not be able to get back to this thread and /or reply to e-mails for a while but I will try my best.

Tinker · 04/01/2005 19:53

Becki - no advice but sounds a horrible situation. Am glad sis has seen this (and am glad you've got another job sis).

One bit of advice though, make sure you see the finished witness statements. There was a jumped up charge of sexual harrassment at our place once. I knew both parties and both told me their side of the story. No sexual harrassment as far as everyone could see. However, a few of us were interviewed for WSs. After seeing the finalised drafts it was fairly obvious this bloke was being stitched up to, possibly, get some stats on how seriously sexual harrassment charges were being taken. Basically, a totally incompetent HR dept. We all withdrew our statements with disclaimers that these were misinterpretations of what was said. Just be cautious. Good luck. The bloke was re-instated.

Frizbe · 04/01/2005 20:08

Oh Becki sorry to see this, I'm surprised that he wasn't suspended as well though? thorough past experience in a previous company, where we've had to investigate an incident of this nature, both parties were suspended whilst the investigation took place....I hope it gets sorted for you soon (hugs)

Original poster
BeckiF · 04/01/2005 20:21

Been to the docs this evening and have been prescribed some tranqulisers for a short period of time. Told the doctor about all the problems from last year and about the break down in October.

OP posts:
kinderbob · 04/01/2005 20:26

BeckiF, having been in a situation where someone didn't like me at work and threw all sorts of crap accusations into a disciplinary you have my sympathy. Going in every day (so they couldn't add sick leave into the list) was the hardest 2 weeks of my life.

I agree with Aloha, get a fantastic lawyer. Mine was prepared to fight for my job, however I decided that at 17 weeks pg that leaving was the best option. It was the right one as the manager is still there 2 years on.

I went and sat on a beach for a long time the day after I heard. I was so numb. I hope you get the result you want.

Yurtgirl · 04/01/2005 20:56

Message withdrawn

Original poster
BeckiF · 04/01/2005 21:02

Just wanted to thank you all for you support so far, and the hugs. I will keep this thread going to its conclusion and appreciate any more help that you can all give me.

OP posts:
milge · 04/01/2005 22:56

Bump.

Twiglett · 05/01/2005 09:50

How are you feeling today Beckif?

Original poster
BeckiF · 05/01/2005 09:57

Tired, the tablets the doc gave me let me sleep and have offered some respite from the stress I have been under over the last months. I have found a local employment lawyer and will ring them this morning. Hoping that aloha can give me more info on her female employment lawyer. I'm still numb and in shock though.

OP posts:
aloha · 05/01/2005 10:06

BeckiF, have to run (dr's appt) but will dig out old paperwork for you later. Promise I haven't forgotten. I last used her about four years ago but she was great. Really sensible and sympathetic - kept me away from all the stress (I was also planning my imminent wedding at the time) and got me a good deal. Luckily I didn't want to go to work, just have money in the bank to compensate me for losing maternity benefit rights etc etc. I just hope she hasn't given up the law or anything.

Original poster
BeckiF · 05/01/2005 10:09

Hi Aloha - have spoken to a fabulous guy this morning at a local lawyer and got a great vibe from him. However, please let me know about your contact too.

OP posts:
hester · 05/01/2005 10:21

Becki, I am SO sorry to hear about the awful time you are having. No advice but lots of love from me xxx

Original poster
BeckiF · 05/01/2005 10:41

Thanks Hester - I have sent an e-mail to work this morning stating what the solicitor has told me too, now I will sit and wait. I hope that work didn't think I was going to just sit at home and say "Ok then, whatever you say". I also hope that I don't make things worse for myself, but I've done nothing more than I'm entitled to.

OP posts:
Sonnet · 05/01/2005 11:22

Good luck - thinking of you and am following your thread

Tanzie · 05/01/2005 11:37

Good luck, Becki. A friend of mine was suspended from work for some alleged financial misdeed and had to sit through a "kangaroo court" of her elders and betters. It became clear within minutes that she was totally honest and it was her boss who was on the fiddle and had tried to put the blame on her. He was sacked and she was reinstated. They originally suspended her on half pay, which I thought was v unfair as it became clear that they had very little to pin anything on her.

Original poster
BeckiF · 06/01/2005 09:41

Am waiting for a solicitor to help me word a letter in response to my request for a list of the alleations. Work tell me that I was told the full list oat our meeting! As though I'm supposed to remember .... ruddy hell, I was in shock!

OP posts:
Tanzie · 06/01/2005 11:33

Becki, surely they HAVE to put the allegations in writing? Really feel for you - I know what my friend went through.

Original poster
BeckiF · 06/01/2005 12:12

I would of thought that they did, yes. Just waiting to see what my solicitor says.

OP posts:
Tanzie · 06/01/2005 13:00

Becki, when my friend was suspended, I am sure they put the reasons in writing. Otherwise, how are you supposed to know what you did wrong? Hope your solicitor is helpful. Thinking of you at this horrible time.

Tanzie

xx

Original poster
BeckiF · 06/01/2005 13:12

The letter from work states they told me at the meeting. Ridiculous if you ask me!

OP posts:
Blackduck · 06/01/2005 13:20

BeckiF - what do your company regs say about how this should be done? In all the places i have worked they have to inform you BEFORE the meeting that there is an issue (so you can take union representation, or someone in with you) and not, as it appears in your case, simply hual you in and then come out with a stream of accusations. And if you are suspended where I currently work they have to tell you why in writing. Go bakc to your HR dept and ask for the disciplinary procedures (they must have some...)