Anyone know about HR investigations?

[SirHisss]

I've been notified that a colleague has made a complaint about me and that HR are conducting an investigation. I don't want to go in to too much detail but I'm aware of the incident they will have referred to in their complaint however I don't know what their actual complaint is.

The letter I received says that I will be asked to meet with HR in the near future and that if I want to I can submit a written statement in advance.

Can anyone shed any light on why I should submit a statement as opposed to just telling them my side of the story during the meeting? What do I include in it? They will meet with my colleague first, will she get to read my statement if I submit one?

I have asked my union rep for advice but sometimes it takes her days to respond, if at all and there is a deadline which I have to send the statement by.

I'd be grateful if anyone can shed any light, I do nothing but go over it all in my head and I don't know what's for the best.

@SirHisss any update? I've had my investigatory meeting, and had all the statements from witnesses. Load of utter nonsense. Just waiting on the outcome now.

@Gcn Hi - I got locked out of my old account so this wont show me as the OP - I had to add an extra 's' to be able to keep the username as close to the original one as possible.

Nothing official yet. I asked my manager last week if they have heard anything - HR have apparently spoken with my colleague and intend to be in touch "ASAP" after writing their notes up.

I've no idea how long ago they spoke to my colleague and haven't had any formal invitation to meet with anyone.

Was the meeting ok? I keep telling myself I'm not on trial, they are just fact finding but I'm still anxious.

Did they give you a time frame for letting you know the outcome?

Glad you've had some progress!

Yes, meeting was fine - luckily it's a very sensible manager who's doing the investigation. Our policy says 2 weeks o get back to me - but I know Investigating Manager is on leave so it will be longer.

Glad it went ok - I hope they don't keep you waiting too long!

@Gcn

I've been invited to my meeting and have seen the notes from when they met with my colleague. What she has said is worse than I imagined.

They also spoke to a witness who was with us on a different day but seems to be keeping out of it and unfortunately somehow went temporarily deaf/blind on the afternoon they asked her about and didn't hear or see any of the relevant conversation.
I don't blame her for wanting to stay neutral really.

My meeting is in a few weeks and I'm a mess again.

I'm sorry you are going through this. Are you able to refute her allegations?

Unfortunately witnesses commonly go blind and deaf when put on the spot.... people don't want to get involved.

It sounds like it's going to be 100% your word against hers. We don't uphold complaints where that's the outcome. Presumably there's nothing that would mean you losing your job? Try not to worry too much, though I know it's not easy x

@adriftinadenofvipers

I can refute what she has said but it is still my word against hers as there was nobody else there on the day.

I understand the witness wanting to keep out of it and at least she hasn't taken the other person's side or lied and said nothing happened - she said she was aware of an exchange but didn't hear what was said.

Presumably there's nothing that would mean you losing your job?

Even if they took her word as gospel, I don't think it would come to that, however I have to register with a regulatory body to be able to work and she has mentioned "going to them" with her complaint. It's not clear whether she has gone through with this or not but I don't know how I will cope if they decide to investigate as well.

Thankfully I have been back in touch with the Union and the rep who has been assigned to me this time is supportive and helpful which has made a big difference.

Glad you have proper support going forward.

If it's one person's word against another sometimes we might look at the balance of probability but there's not always context to do that. Flip me, she's vindictive!

We'd quite often have a pretty good sense of who's in the right but unless there are actual facts established, there's no way of proving what happened.

Best wishes.

Hope the meeting goes ok for you and not too anxious in the lead up.

@SirHisss any update? I still haven't had the formal outcome, but my manager has old me that none of the bullying allegations have been upheld. BUT she says that they are just finalising recommendations which may include facilitated mediation. I'll get advice from my Union, but surely if allegations aren't upheld then I can't be made to attend mediation? I'm not doing it. This has been going on for nearly a year now and I just want it over. I don't want to give her another opportunity to just have a go at me. Not happening.

@Gcn I've attended my meeting and just awaiting the outcome now. It was very short and alot less intense than I had anticipated but still nerve wracking. My Union rep was brilliant and really had my back which was a relief.

I'm glad the allegations haven't been upheld for you - that must be a relief. I hope they let you know of the outcome soon and that it's something you can engage with without feeling like she's being given another oppertunity to bash you.

I'm the same as you - ultimately just want a line to be drawn and to be able to move on. From my colleagues notes it seems she has a different opinion so I'm worried about what that could mean in the future.

Wow good for you, my direct report said they would back me and didn't! Sided with the boss as they are frightened. Thing is I moved to a different role to get away and she is now left with the bullying boss and is very unhappy so how can she complain about her now after not backing me!

It is difficult sometimes to make a stand. For example, I can’f apply for a promotion that’s come up as she would never recruit me, and i’d never give her the satisfaction to turn me down. But I don’t regret standing up to her. I always keep my word in this situation, but it’s not easy.