Hr meeting over a comment

[HRHooha]

(Not racist discrimination et cetera in any way.) If you went into the meeting and pretended to just not remember the comment, as it's only a first level meeting, where could they go from that?

I would just fess up. If it’s something you disagree with at work, raise it. Have an adult conversation about it.

Your attitude is a problem.

Tbh I've done hundreds of these investigations and I never believe anyone when they say they don't remember. It's hard to advise without knowing the full circumstances but it depends whether it was just you and one other person or was it in a formally minuted meeting with several people?

Also, if it's not offensive as you say but a work policy you disagree with why not own it? If they ask you in your meeting whether you disagree with said work policy are you going to lie and say you're fine with it? What's the point?

There's no law against disagreeing with something and you may spark a discussion that gets it changed. I can't see the point of you lying 🤷‍♀️

Can you give a more generic equivalent?

iagree with @Kiwi83

Aside from anything else, I’d be trying to find out who grassed me up.

People are allowed to say unpleasant/uncalled for/ rude/ unfair things about where they work. Moaning about it to colleagues is what makes the world go around.

That person is an arsehole for getting you into a formal meeting with HR, where you’ll potentially get some sort of bollocking.
I don’t care what you said, your colleague is a twat.

If you leave the meeting knowing you lied and knowing that they know or suspect you lied, will you be OK with that? If so, go ahead.

People have complained. This is serious. Whether you like it or not.

If you're going with "don't recall sorry" that could work but it will depend on your character.

If you're genuinely not a whinger, "say what I like and I like what I say", usually cooperative, trustworthy etc then you could go with a vague admittance/non admittance, after asking them specifically what you allegedly said - "sorry I honestly don't recall saying it that way, there was a general chat going on with ABC colleagues about XYZ and I might have said I disagreed because 123, but I really don't remember being combative/overly critical about it and if someone has reported that i was in THEIR OPINION ill definitely be more mindful in future of how things could be misconstrued"

Amazing 😂😂

They're really not allowed to say whatever they like, no matter how unpleasant; there'll be a misconduct policy which will cover statements that are derogatory or discriminatory. Saying "I don't agree with this policy" is not the same as saying "this business fucking sucks".

Your plan to lie says enough about you.
Ypur values will not align with your organisation or colleagues values and you’ve been called up
You could really learn from this but it’s doubtful given the nature of your dilemma

What do you mean? What attitude??

You asked @HRHoohaa question and she answered you.

I agree.

What the hell is the world coming to, these days? Workplaces want 120% and don’t you ever dare have an opinion.

That's it @Megifer i'm not going to go in there stroppy if they say blah blah said you said this I'll say - okay I don't remember.

I think it would be more convincing to say that you'd discussed the policy and the ways in which it might be problematic. But that it had been - and is - your intention to work in accordance with the company's guidelines. You cannot remember the exact words that were used, but think that is entirely possible that you were quoted out of context. If the company is planning to record the meeting, you'd like to be able to see - and agree to - what has been noted. Do you have a Union rep? Could also be worth contacting ACAS.

Thanks Polly, but it's really not that serious to bother them

That's really silly. Workplaces often do want opinions and staff engagement, what they don't want is staff slagging them off or bringing them into disrepute. There's no "these days" about it - do you think Victorian employers were more liberal? 😅

You are being very flippant about it all, but depending upon the sector you work in I’d be cautious. Financial services and other sectors have codes of ethics and claiming to not remember or them being concerned you’re lying would be a red flag. They would then be interested in your wider behaviour and conduct.

You've got a point @Smallmercies

It's funny you read my tone as flippant. I'm not typing it that way.

Good thing I don't work in financial services then!

FLIPPANT KLAXON ON

Her entire attitude. She said something that caused enough upset that she’s had complaints. And her attitude is not “how can I repair this” it’s entirely focused on being rude and dismissive.

@Megifer’s suggestion is spot on - you’ve clarified that what you said wasn’t offensive or discriminatory, so I would repeat what that poster said.

It’s a free country, and it’s simply the OP’s opinion.

Maybe her criticism of the policy is right, and maybe it isn’t.
A bollocking from HR isn’t going to change her mind.

I’d admit saying it, in the meeting, though, cos i think honesty is the best policy.
If they’ve got her bang to rights, she’ll look foolish.

It’s a free country, and it’s simply the OP’s opinion.

Maybe her criticism of the policy is right, and maybe it isn’t.
A bollocking from HR isn’t going to change her mind.

I’d admit saying it, in the meeting, though, cos i think honesty is the best policy.
If they’ve got her bang to rights, she’ll look foolish.