Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Walking back into a ****storm tomorrow

564 replies

ThrowMeAwayTheVeryNextDay · 25/08/2025 22:10

I've been away on holiday for a week, back in the office tomorrow. There was a bit of a crisis happening before I went so I wrapped up as much as I could and did a decent handover. It's all blown up, my boss (CEO) has been sending furious emails and I've spent the week keeping a face on for DH and the DC while lying awake for hours at night thinking about it. My team have handled it like troopers but have also been messaging me and have set up a meeting first thing tomorrow before CEO gets in so I'm not blindsided, bless their thoughtfulness.

I'm going in extra early to clear my desk before my team get in, in case I'm getting fired. I don't know how I'm going to hold it together TBH. I've told DH that it's bad, but not how bad. He just said it's a bank holiday, don't worry about it until tomorrow. I'm tired, my holiday was ruined and I just want to go in and get it over with.

OP posts:
ThreePointOneFourOneFiveNine · 11/09/2025 22:26

Sounds like you need a solicitor.

ThreeLocusts · 11/09/2025 22:33

Oh OP that's awful. Agree don't resign, get legal advice. Use sick leave if you really can't stand their mugs. Look after yourself Flowers

DorsetCafes · 11/09/2025 23:15

Where is your head of comms in all this?
This is a classic mess for a comms/corporate affairs person to sort out.

Miaminmoo · 12/09/2025 00:10

I know this isn’t a recent post but as a company owner who employs staff I can honestly say that when my staff are on holiday they are not contacted - at all - regardless of what has happened. My DH is the CEO and I am the FD and the only people in our company who are never out of contact is us. If we are in a poor reception situation and our team have to make a judgement call then we accept that they do their best. If you are an employee of this company then you are being treated unfairly, I don’t care what your role is. The buck stops with the CEO and if he is not contactable then tough. It’s his fault. You need to leave this organisation, and expose their horrible working conditions. You are entitled to a holiday - I own a company so I accept that I am never really on holiday because the business is ultimately our responsibility 100% of the time. I’m sorry they are treating you so badly, please document everything and take legal advice.

Mmhmmn · 12/09/2025 00:14

Just wanted to say you’re human, they’re also human.
We’ve all made mistakes, including the people that may be furious at you whether they act like it or not. Worth remembering. Say a big sorry and don’t beat yourself up over it.

thatsthatsaidthemayor · 12/09/2025 00:17

You were on holiday. You were entitled to that. The CEO is the CEO for a reason. The buck stops with them. Don’t be made a scapegoat. X

SaratogaFilly · 12/09/2025 00:34

Knobbsa · 11/09/2025 22:23

Definitely humour them until you have copies of everything.
Do not resign.
Get legal advice.
Consider the Grievance process and go out sick if necessary.
You need good legal advice.
Do not trust them an inch.

They sound like complete incompetents.
That can make them dangerous.

This!

Sorry you’re having to go through this Op! Good luck!

Agapornis · 12/09/2025 01:30

In the absence of a regulator with real power, would the HSE be interested?

For your own protection I'd call ACAS, your union (or your workplace's union rep, even if you're not a member), and check if your home insurance includes legal assistance.

CharlieRight · 12/09/2025 02:32

ThrowMeAwayTheVeryNextDay · 11/09/2025 20:43

The VP responsible for determining the facts basically fudged it and it's come out that he did so. The CEO's taken his side and told me to make it go away, while they both repeatedly spoke over me, patronised me and mansplained my job to me, and then told me to go away and think about it overnight like a naughty teenager.

I didn't get fired. I have a legally defined (and legally protected) role that makes me personally responsible for ensuring the company does this sort of thing properly. If they won't let me do so then my position isn't tenable.

You learn a lot about people at times like this. I had to deal with a major escape of non-conforming product. It happened because of a years old poorly thought out lab procedure. The lab manager reported to me. The customer tested the product and found the fault. We investigated, fixed the issue and remade the material. Gave the customer a full report and did actually come out of it with increased of respect/trust for our professionalism. The lab manager and I did all of that. The quality director's contribution was to sandbag me into a meeting with all of the VPs and hide behind me.

I think that you are going to have to leave your current job, now you have seen how weak and dishonest they are they will never forgive you. But be wise, not hasty.

Offherrockingchair · 12/09/2025 06:52

And yet again, incompetent little men cock things up and expect a woman to take the fall. And a woman who knows what she’s talking about!

Lafufufu · 12/09/2025 07:01

Knobbsa · 11/09/2025 22:23

Definitely humour them until you have copies of everything.
Do not resign.
Get legal advice.
Consider the Grievance process and go out sick if necessary.
You need good legal advice.
Do not trust them an inch.

They sound like complete incompetents.
That can make them dangerous.

I agree.

Lots of emails...as "you requested I have"
"As per our conversation I have actioned X as required"

Fron what you have written
Personally...
I'd get your cv done this weekend and be looking to line up a new job while looking at having a conversation without prejudice and agreeing a severance package because let's be real this isnt working for you - the CEO and VPs behaviour is going to be an ongoing issue.even if this resolves

Lafufufu · 12/09/2025 07:02

I agree.

Lots of emails...as "you requested I have"
"As per our conversation I have actioned X as required"

Fron what you have written
Personally...
I'd get your cv done this weekend and be looking to line up a new job while looking at having a conversation without prejudice and agreeing a severance package via a lawyer because let's be real this isnt working for you - the CEO and VPs behaviour is going to be an ongoing issue.even if this resolves

Motnight · 12/09/2025 07:12

Bloody hell, Op.

Can only echo - legal advice, gather evidence etc and hold on tight!

KateShugakIsALegend · 12/09/2025 08:00

Agree with @Lafufufu

Getting an employment lawyer can feel like a big step but it really isn't.

It sounds like they will easily get you a pay out and an exit with an NDA. It goes on all the time.

Knobbsa · 12/09/2025 08:03

Never underestimate how low someone will go to protect their arse.
Shit all over you, lie, manipulate, falsely accuse you of what they in fact did.

I have seen and heard it all.
Those with the most detail notes, records, date stamped documentation are the ones that came out of it fully intact.

Your detailed notes of everything, especially the harassment during the holidays, the lies, the screaming intimidation, and finally your realisation that fraud has been committed to cover their actions, whilst trying to cover their tracts and blame you are crucial.

Document every bit of it, date stamped.

In a similar situation my friend came out smelling of roses.

Her detailed notes which were the basis of all her statements, which were unbelievable to read, left the top management in stunned disbelief.

She went the Grievance route, which is most effective, as all her allegations, facts and proof can end up at the Employment Tribunal if a satisfactory resolution isn't found between both parties.

They found a resolution, that she was very happy with, because there was no way they wanted her highly inflammatory case of a publicly quoted company, seeing the light of day.

She is still working there, on her terms, unbothered by the middle management that thought they could fxxk her over.

They know that she retains the right to raise another Grievance if anyone looks sideways at her again, and she will.

Contact ACAS asap so you have advice today.

Screen shot all messages and your phone log which indicates the timeline.

This is a dose, but with a cool head you can emerge from this.
Once you have copies of everything, and your arse covered, consider going out sick under direction of your GP.

RB68 · 12/09/2025 08:19

Before you start any actions re moving etc please download all emails you have, any relevant policies and as others have said document your meeting and personally I would send that to them on a "just to confirm following our meeting" list out bullets of key points then the actions needed by who. Cover all bases and then make escape plans having spoken to an employment lawyer for advice at least. As soon as they get a hint this is the route you are taking they will close ranks and butt cover their butts even more and lay all the blame at your door

keepincool · 12/09/2025 08:24

Mmhmmn · 12/09/2025 00:14

Just wanted to say you’re human, they’re also human.
We’ve all made mistakes, including the people that may be furious at you whether they act like it or not. Worth remembering. Say a big sorry and don’t beat yourself up over it.

Seriously? Have you read the whole thread?

AngelicKaty · 12/09/2025 08:41

Offherrockingchair · 12/09/2025 06:52

And yet again, incompetent little men cock things up and expect a woman to take the fall. And a woman who knows what she’s talking about!

I was just about to post the same! This is how men get to the top and stay there - blame someone else. 😡

Perimenoanti · 12/09/2025 08:50

I'm really sorry OP that you are being made the scapegoat. And for how they spoke to you. I'm so sick of men.

gmgnts · 12/09/2025 09:18

Employment lawyer - good luck! Flowers

DeadMemories · 12/09/2025 09:27

Mmhmmn · 12/09/2025 00:14

Just wanted to say you’re human, they’re also human.
We’ve all made mistakes, including the people that may be furious at you whether they act like it or not. Worth remembering. Say a big sorry and don’t beat yourself up over it.

The OP did say sorry last month when it happened and thought it was all sorted.

Now it has come out that the VP has fudged things, possibly being negligent and even against their industry regulations and want OP to fix it and make it go away even though it goes against her professional standards and could have serious repercussions against her career and reputation.

I dont think OP saying sorry is going to fix anything.

AnxietySloth · 12/09/2025 09:42

I'm most angry that they ruined your holiday - at the very least I'd be asking for the paid holiday time back and a bonus to cover the costs of the ruined holiday. That kind of stress has deep effects. Bastards.

Eventmrs · 12/09/2025 09:47

Is this about Angela Rayners stamp duty? lol

Arsonvenga · 12/09/2025 09:48

Do adults in working relationship really expect to be "bollocked" by each other? More senior or not, I would not be tolerating that sort of behaviour.