suspended from work

HanSpan

Just wandering round MSE and found this thread. Debbie I so feel for you. You've been, and are being, treated absolutely abysmally.

I have no expertise so can’t offer any advice from a point of knowledge, all I can do is sympathise and say is what I would do if it were me. I did read earlier in the thread you were going to write to HR – have you done so yet? If I were you I would write to someone in the company setting out exactly what’s been done and asking for manuals and procedures and rules and for someone independent to get involved. It sounds to me like they have done everything verbally which makes me suspicious they will try to skew the facts afterwards. I’d be inclined to write to both HR giving a deadline for a response and if that’s not met I’d repeat to the highest person I could find in the company, sending everything recorded delivery. Also I’ve read a few other people saying just turn up to work, I might be inclined to do that too if I’d had absolutely nothing in writing although I imagine that might be incredibly hard. Or I might ask my doctor to write to the company, or even get him to sign me off sick (assuming you get sick pay).

Someone with expertise might think any of these are really bad ideas so please take some more advice – did you manage to see a solicitor? If not hopefully someone on here with expertise will come along and comment soon.

Out of interest how big is the company and how high up in it is your manager? Is there any way you could go in and see HR without a chance of bumping into him or any colleagues?

Sorry for waffling on so long. Reading this has actually made me incredibly mad, I feel the urge to come and slap someone!

PPUK

ihatebt wrote: »

Have you any inkling as to why you have been suspended?

Your boss is a coward of the highest order for not calling you into his office to tell you himself. That could be illegal. You might want to find that out.

I would note down every incident with times and dates, such as being told by your colleague in the car. Keep a detailed record of the whole scenario.

Good luck.

A diary is essential in this matter, start one today and think back over the last few months whether there has ever been a time in which you felt uneasy about something.

If you have been suspended, they have to give you a reason and let you know what pay you are entitled to.

As per the previous post, you should not be told by an intermedary that you are suspended. This needs to come from your line manager, or their manager and should be followed up with an official letter stating the reasons for your suspension, what will happen next, the timescales and what pay you are entitled to.

Please visit ACAS.org as they are very helpful and will inform you of your rights.

Personally, if an intermedary had told me I was suspended, then I would have still gone into work the next day and spoke with the manager face to face.

Good luck and keep us updated so we might help you.

PPUK

debbie158 wrote: »

Hi all, just to let you know my manager has been in touch to say i havnt been suspended?? I said that i was told i was an his denying saying it? he said i was told i could not go in office or have on call but i could do calls, which i find confusing as i had calls to do over the weekend but they were taken off me, he phoned me to say he was sending a letter out regarding investigation but still no meeting as yet, as he had got to look at evidence and to decide about disciplinary.....im so confused and now have a solicitor writing to them regarding suspension

This is utter nonsense.

You are either suspended or not, it's as simple as that. If your job description has changed ( as it is being suggested in your post- can't go in to the office, but can do calls) they must consult with you and you HAVE TO agree to these changes. If you do not agree with the changes then you are able to ask to be redeployed into another post and if no other post is available, you will be made redundant (as effectively the original job you took is no longer available). Subject to the amount of time you have spent with this company (you say fours years) you would be entitled to redundancy pay.

Is this a small company (some some companies do not have HR "depts" but have someone working in a HR role)?

They should have a policy on disciplinaries, grievances and suspensions. If they do not you should be looking to speak with CSCI (Commision for Social Care Inspection ) who monitor care homes, give them gradings etc. Whilst primarily CSCI are concerned with the interest of the health, safety, welfare and care of those residing in the care home or being treated in the community, concerns raised from staff about the poor management of employees (as is clearly what has been spoken about on this forum post) will alert CSCI to the fact that there is likely to be poor record keeping, poor managment of care plans etc for the residents or clients. It would be worth giving them a call (sorry I don't have the number but Google CSCI).

From what you say it seems that what ever the issue is here you are deemed fit to work with vulnerable clients ( the fact they are allowing you to work in the community and carry out calls).

Have you wrote the letter to the company yet, stating the events as they have happened and formally requested the policy which states the proceedures which will be followed in instances such as this.
Don't forget, they write their policy, therefore they have to stick to it.
You will have a stronger case the quicker you act and the more formal that action is (such as a letter from the legal represenative you have appointed) Beaware though that some times the legal representatives will charge for this work. Make sure you also have a letter from the legal rep stating what fees are being charged for this work and who is expected to pay for these fees.
Law firms are required to set out their charges to you and have to update you regularly on the increasing balance or fees which are being charged.

If you get a moment can you email me so I can reply personally.
Good luck

PPUK

LinasPilibaitisisbatman wrote: »

What a world we live in.

OP not been sacked etc, yet already they are getting solicitors involved, clearly desperate to sue for anything.

I think that this is a very unfair post.

We all, including yourself, have a right to work without fear or prejudice or repercussion.

We have a right to go to work, carry out our duties and be paid.

The issue here is not about being sacked (dismissed). It is about a company who seemingly have not followed any procedures set out regarding suspension, grievance or disciplinary.

The OP has the right to expect fair treatment at work, including during the process of suspension, grievance or disciplinary. If the OP has done something wrong ( and I am not suggesting she/he has), she still has the right to be dealt with fairly, which does not include recieving second hand information, being ignored and not being given the formal policies and proceedures which this company ought to have and therefore be following.

Whilst there might be many people who take legal action at the slightest hint there might be money due to them, actually, if you have a genuine case whereby you have been unfairly treated and due to that unfair treatment you have finacially lost out ( not sure whether the OP pay packet reflects this or not and have been subjected to distress and inconvenience, then why should you not take action to remedy this?

We live in a very complacent society, one which accepts second rate treatment of it's citezans. We accept poor quality as standard, whether that is within our workplace or towards us as individuals. If action is taken to address this (and whilst money may or may not be involved) it gives for the chance to have a voice, say this is not acceptable, and for those applying that unfair, second rate treatment to observe and learn how it can negatively affect others. It gives for the chance to rectify matters and to say sorry to those involved.

Give the OP a break, if it is a genuine case, then he/she has been treated unfairly and is entitled to address this and I am sure the majority of people, including yourself, would want to do the same, regardless of whether there was a financial bonus.

debbie158

HI all, i would just like to say regarding taking it further legally, i am doing it for the money it would be the principal.....I have worked as i said previously for this company for 4 years continuous not even having 4 weeks holidays as we dont get paid holiday! only get a percentage from wages that goes to a holiday fund what we have to save up and it would take to long to save for 2 weeks off.....have also worked 7 days for over a year.....have rarely had time off sick as we dont get paid:(. I have put everything into this job and im so hurt they way they have treated me tbh, so much so i had to go on medication!!

Regarding HR it is a small company, there is someone but she is not based, have tried phoning to no avail

Have also wrote everythink down, i kept a diary from when it all happened.

debbie158

Have not had a letter confirming ive been suspended only that i have to attend a meeting, and stating its not disciplinary! I did get paid last time on full pay but we are 2 weeks behind. I did ask my manager for staff handbook plus supervisions im suppose to have had ect.
I have written a 7 page document which i will be handing them when next meeting is arranged.
I dont think i could go back there tbh, think it would be too uncomfortable being as everyone knows although i am going to prove im innocent!!

Its hard to believe that this was a friendly company i worked for:(

debbie158

sorry meant to say i am NOT DOING IT FOR THE MONEY LOL

debbie158

Hi everyone, just an update to let you know ive had a letter this morning to say i have to attend a meeting tomorrow, im not happy as they only posted this out yesterday would have been nice if they had give me a few days to get prepared:(

olias

one more thing to add to the 'unfair' pile should it go to tribunal!

Olias

debbie158

ye i know....will let you all know how it goes on sunday/monday depending when forum reopens ok:))
Thanks for advice:)