Advice about dismissal - please

Googlewhacker

how long before the time limit for the appeal goes by?

donnaessex

I've just read this from start to finish. I think you are amazing to keep fighting and for what its worth, I think its a job that needs to be done to stop these *&^%$(*'s doing this over and over.

I took my employer to tribunal early this year (sexual discrimination) but it got settled before the hearing - its a stressful time.

Just wanted to add my awe for the other posters here too - you have truly been so supportive.

Good luck Amber - keep fighting.

joanne_d_3

donnaessex wrote: »

I've just read this from start to finish. I think you are amazing to keep fighting and for what its worth, I think its a job that needs to be done to stop these *&^%$(*'s doing this over and over.

I took my employer to tribunal early this year (sexual discrimination) but it got settled before the hearing - its a stressful time.

Just wanted to add my awe for the other posters here too - you have truly been so supportive.

Good luck Amber - keep fighting.

Donnaessex - well done on your determined attitude. Far too many employers are getting away with treating staff like s**t just because *most* employers know that employee's usually begin a tribunal case and then back out because they cant be annoyed seeing it through !

Im currently helping my husband through his case and although we are un-represented we are determined that we will not give up!

In saying that....i understand why a lot of people DO give up....it surely is a stressful process.

The employer in our case (in my opinion) will not make any offer of settlement....i would put money on the fact that they will drag this right through the week and a half hearing scheduled for a few months away BUT , we are not put off by this.....we will be there and fight this matter until the very end !

Just out of nosiness , at what stage did your case settle ?

J

donnaessex

joanne_d wrote: »

Donnaessex - well done on your determined attitude. Far too many employers are getting away with treating staff like s**t just because *most* employers know that employee's usually begin a tribunal case and then back out because they cant be annoyed seeing it through !

Im currently helping my husband through his case and although we are un-represented we are determined that we will not give up!

In saying that....i understand why a lot of people DO give up....it surely is a stressful process.

The employer in our case (in my opinion) will not make any offer of settlement....i would put money on the fact that they will drag this right through the week and a half hearing scheduled for a few months away BUT , we are not put off by this.....we will be there and fight this matter until the very end !

Just out of nosiness , at what stage did your case settle ?

J

When they saw my paperwork from the ET - they knew they were in the wrong (made me redundant the week before I was due to return from maternity leave and gave my job to a temp who was due to leave). I had emails saying about how I'd had two babies in 15 months and my mind was "obviously elsewhere". I'd been shouted at by the CEO as I walked through his floor that I should "keep my legs shut" when I was expecting my second baby. Two other women were on maternity leave and one left because of the attitude there and another was considering legal proceedings but still had her job - it was a nightmare. Those were just some of the examples of trouble I had. I had a high level job (confidentiality wise) and worked for a global company - I knew too much.

They offered me money "without prejudice" via ACAS and I declined a few times - their final offer was made the day before they had to submit their response to my allegations.

What they didnt know was that I was offered a job by an old employer the day after I was made redundant. :rotfl: I'd taken it on a temporary contract so didnt have to disclose that to the ET at that point. If I'd gone any further I wouldnt have got a penny but in my case I managed to fund my house move and clear a chunk of debt. Good times.

Good luck to you and your husband - its hard work but worthwhile when someone tells you that you are right. :T

joanne_d_3

My goodness that was a quick settlement then lol.

They must have known they were in the wrong .

Im sure you were so relieved you didnt have to go through the whole process !

Thanks for answering my question.

J

RuthnJasper

Amber - I have just spent much of today reading your whole thread (phew! lol;)). I couldn't put it down! I think you might have the makings of a fantastic book there...!

I would like to say that you are an amazing person and SUCH an inspiration. The tribunal result may not have been entirely what you'd hoped for (please do think about appealing), but you HAVE WON admiration, love, and respect from MSE'ers. Your spirit, determination, dignity, and boundless support for your OH are truly outstanding. Seriously - your family is SO lucky to have you.:A

I guess that all I can really offer you is a view of what could have been if you hadn't risen up to prove yourself as the brave lioness that you are. I was in a situation with an ancient and famous institution where, after eight years of impeccable employment, I was told that I would never be promoted into the post I had been unofficially working in (un-paid) for years "because I was a woman". And that was the least-offensive insult directed at me. It went on for a long time, which I endured because the futures of children were at stake in my job and I made the foolish error of being conscientious. :mad:

Sadly, I did not have a supportive spouse, such as you, behind me and was not aware of MSE at the time.

I was in my late twenties/early thirties at the time and, apart from a couple of misogynistic but powerful members of the senior management team, I was a very popular, lively young woman, loved and respected by colleagues and, um (have to be careful what I say here!), youngsters, alike. Directly because of what was said and done to me by my employers, I suffered two nervous breakdowns - for which I was bullied even more. "Are you 'like that' all the time or do you 'just put it on for dramatic effect here?' " being one of my particular favourites - along with "The boss has told me that you won't be officially promoted and I advise you not to pursue the reasons why." amongst many others.

These good folks did their work well. They broke my spirit - I made three serious attempts to take my own life.

Despite having paperwork to prove some of their words and deeds, I did not have the strength to pursue any action against them. Now it is too late. I have an IVA, my self-confidence is shot to pieces, and I live a pitiful existence in supported housing. The 'Jasper' of 'RuthnJasper' is my dog. He is my support. It actually states in my medical records that I would not be here today if it wasn't for him. He actually - literally - saved my life on my third and most determined suicide attempt.

****************

Now - it's three years on. I'm in a job I love, where I am fairly-paid and admired and respected for my abilities and personality. :beer:
But, inside, I'm still very wounded. Like you, I SO wanted to take my former employers to task, not for money, but in the hope (apart from name-clearing) that, in future, it might prevent some other poor s0d from suffering as I did. But it wasn't to be, and the path of recent history continues to be littered with victims they have liberally sh4t all over.

I'm sorry. I realise that this is a bit of a lengthy thread-hijack. But what I wanted to say to you Amber is that everything you have done thus far has been nothing short of majestic. Much as I love my dog, I WISH I had someone who loved and fought for me as much as you did for your husband. Without you in your OH's corner, he might have ended up like me (apologies if I'm sounding impertinent here).

I admire you so much, and wish I had your spirit. But - hey - I've learned some lessons and like to think that I am stronger now because of, rather than despite of my experiences.

Keep going Amber - and anyone else in this dreadful situation - you are a credit to the human race.

I apologise for this lengthy post - I have just been so moved by Amber and her OH's strength, unity, persistence and courage in the face of almost overwhelming odds, that I felt I HAD to share my own experience. Good luck to you Amber. Whatever happens employment-wise, I think you and your OH have a long, very happy, life together ahead of you. And woe betides anyone who tries to stitch up your kids in the future...! :):)

With very best wishes,
Ruth xxx (and Jasper!)

Amber07

Hi folks.

Not been about for a while - took some time to have a think about things and you know what?

We're just fine

Although it was a shock at first, we are managing to put it all behind us, take stock of our current circumstances and are getting ourselves out of this rut the good old-fashioned way, hard work and determination to sort things out.

OH did try to find the guy I mentioned, but to no avail. You get to a point where you just know you are fighting a losing battle. He did technically win so it was worth it - money is just money. Would have been nice, but not the end of the world not to get it. I just hope that the company has learned a little about how employees should be treated. Maybe not, but I believe in karma - they will get theirs in the end :rotfl::rotfl:

RuthnJasper - your story really touched me. Thank you for your kind words and I am so glad you are now in a good place xxx

terra_ferma

Amber07 wrote: »

Hi folks.

Not been about for a while - took some time to have a think about things and you know what?

We're just fine

Although it was a shock at first, we are managing to put it all behind us, take stock of our current circumstances and are getting ourselves out of this rut the good old-fashioned way, hard work and determination to sort things out.

OH did try to find the guy I mentioned, but to no avail. You get to a point where you just know you are fighting a losing battle. He did technically win so it was worth it - money is just money. Would have been nice, but not the end of the world not to get it. I just hope that the company has learned a little about how employees should be treated. Maybe not, but I believe in karma - they will get theirs in the end :rotfl::rotfl:

RuthnJasper - your story really touched me. Thank you for your kind words and I am so glad you are now in a good place xxx

Amber, you are such a nice person, your attitude is very healthy!

jobbingmusician

^^^^^^^ What she said

Well done Amber (and well done Ruth). Two people I would really like to meet.

RuthnJasper

jobbingmusician wrote: »

^^^^^^^ What she said

Well done Amber (and well done Ruth). Two people I would really like to meet.

Likewise JM! Thank you. :beer: