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HR conflict of interest!

17 replies

toffeenose80 · 15/07/2025 10:43

I was dismissed from my employment I’ve worked for over 25 years unblemished service, I logged a complaint internally and escalated the complaint and was transparent about being an internal employee to officers. One of the complaints referenced in my disciplinary outcome - relating to parking issues due to my neurodiversity, I originally submitted in February 2024 - In my email (dated 27 February 2024), I explicitly referenced the complaint status and engaged directly with the service to seek an update. I didn’t realise that I couldn’t access my own information as it was only information I had volunteered to gain support from my employer. I had submitted and the manager of that service had referred the appeal for assessment. At no point did they raise concerns regarding inappropriate access or conduct, and my transparency in referencing the case details further evidences that I did not believe I was breaching any policies which I was dismissed for gross misconduct earlier this month.

The (HR Business Partner) reviewed my supporting evidence and liaised directly with that relevant department regarding the matter after I was asked to submit to them to see if there was any reasonable adjustments with parking. Her response acknowledged my circumstances and the challenges I faced, including ADHD and parking accessibility, and offered a solution involving a revised parking arrangement. I declined the offer as it was too costly and wouldn’t benefit from it being a hybrid worker. Importantly, at no stage did the HR flag the fact that I had viewed my own complaint via the system as a concern or potential breach. This I feel raises a significant question of procedural consistency: if the individuals directly involved in the complaint did not identify the access as improper—and indeed corresponded with me constructively on the matter—it is unreasonable to retrospectively characterise the action as deliberate misconduct.

However the HR business partner was also involved in the disciplinary of the same case although I don’t thing they realise that it’s the same case they helped me with- with this dual involvement—both in responding to the original complaint and later supporting the disciplinary process throughout I feel this may present a conflict of interest. If they, as a key point of contact throughout, did not identify any issue with my access or actions originally, how could I reasonably have known that my conduct was inappropriate? This undermines the assertion that I acted deliberately or with intent to misuse systems and surely not have been dismissed!

OP posts:
Liloqueen · 15/07/2025 18:46

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Liloqueen · 15/07/2025 18:48

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BeltaLodaLife · 15/07/2025 18:49

Try again

Liloqueen · 15/07/2025 18:49

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Truetoself · 15/07/2025 18:52

I think you need to discuss this with an employment lawyer. But perhaps start with ACAS

(post is difficult to read but essentially she is saying the HR person was involved in her case regarding parking and subsequently in the disciplinary which was that OP has accessed information regarding the parking issue inappropriately- the HR person didn’t raise this wirh OP at the time)

Truetoself · 15/07/2025 18:55

Thanks @Liloqueen- not exactly how OP presented the info on this thread

Slobberchops1 · 15/07/2025 18:57

You are clutching at straws. Just accept that what you did was wrong and move on .

CantHoldMeDown · 15/07/2025 19:00

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CantHoldMeDown · 15/07/2025 19:06

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DriveboyDogboy · 15/07/2025 19:21

I don't see how HR not flagging an issue is a conflict of interest or undermines the severity of the situation. You can't apply retrospective intention to your actions. By all means appeal, but don't use that.

657904I · 15/07/2025 19:24

DriveboyDogboy · 15/07/2025 19:21

I don't see how HR not flagging an issue is a conflict of interest or undermines the severity of the situation. You can't apply retrospective intention to your actions. By all means appeal, but don't use that.

OP’s post is super unclear. Isn’t it possible that the HRBP was the one to start an investigation into OP accessing records, after they were involved in the parking issue? As opposed to them randomly being involved in both and not raising an issue previously? Maybe they did notice the first time and thought and investigation was the suitable next step as opposed to a warning.

ButtSurgery · 15/07/2025 19:37

It's still gross misconduct OP.

No public sector employer will accept you looking at your own records. Ever.

CaptainFuture · 15/07/2025 19:39

So is it a parking issue or did you inappropriately access data re seeking a school admission about your son?

Hotflushesandchilblains · 15/07/2025 19:46

I am sorry OP, but the way this is written makes it impossible to understand.

It seems you have needs you believe are related to your ADHD and other issues and need to park in a particular place, but this got you in trouble? To the point of being dismissed?

And HR have been involved with 2 aspects of your termination with the same person handling both aspects and you think it is a conflict of interest?

Not sure I am grasping the main points here.

tripleginandtonic · 15/07/2025 20:46

It's gross misconduct in virtually every job OP. You can't access confidential stuff at work for personal.reasons.

EllasNonny · 15/07/2025 20:55

You used your position to access information that no member of the public could? It reads like you were checking on the progress of an EHCP, not just your information? Is that correct?

Jk987 · 15/07/2025 21:41

Why does having adhd mean you can only park the same spot every day?

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