employment query

joanne_d_3

Lazy Daisy.

Thanks again for the reply. Although it was actually ACAS i consulted with as soon as i was sacked it is actually LABOUR RELATIONS AGENCY i have to deal with as i am in Northern Ireland. Sorry i should probably have mentioned that sooner but everythings so messed up at the min and im not thinking straight.

Labour Relations have been in touch and have offered conciliation services so im thinking i will give this a go ( if ex employer agrees)

I wont be anwering or responding to any more posts by that other poster so dont waste time "advising me"

Posts from any others who arnt just out to wind me up are very much appreciated

thanks joanne

zzzLazyDaisy

Okay, I used to practice in E&W, and occasionally in Scotland. However I am aware that tribunal procedure is (or at least was) slightly different in NI.

So I think you do need to get local advice. The Labour Relations Agency is a good place to start.

Also, IF the legal aid system is the same in NI, depending on your financial circumstances you may qualify for free legal advice and assistance from a solicitor to prepare your case (but in E&W at least, there is no legal aid for representation at the hearing itself).

One other thing - it is worth checking your buildings/contents insurance if you have any, to see if you have legal cover, as sometimes this covers employment disputes.

Good luck

joanne_d_3

Tried to get legal aid but was told i couldnt because iown my home?

Any ways , thanks for your help today , will try the conciliation and see if it helps any.

I will post again and let everyone know how things go

joanne

joanne_d_3

Any one else have any comments?

gerryscot

joanne_d wrote: »

Hi liz.

Yes my employer offered me the appeal process which i took but it didnt change the decision to sack me.

A bit more info , maybe others can offer advice.

I was accused of gross misconduct , an allegation that i know i am not guilty of so , on the day of this alledged misconduct i was suspended , 10 days later they sent me a letter to come up for a disciplinary hearing , i got this letter one day and the meeting was scheduled for early the next morning so didnt give me any time to prepare. any way , i went up tothe meeting and as soon as iwalked into the room my manager statedthe reason why i wasthere and swiftly told me i was summararily dismissed.

I asked for the chance to speak , to offer explanation , to defend my case but he told me to " save it for the appeal meeting" i seriously wasnt allowed to speak.

He carried out NO inverstigation on the matter , he only began to investigate THREE weeks AFTER i was sacked , and he only did it then because i informed him that i was going to seek legal advice.

Does this constitute my employer failing to follow the statutory dismissal procedures?

thanks for any advice offered

joanne

Was there an independent witness there to take notes for all the meetings, if so did you receive a copy of the meeting notes?

Did you lodge a grievance regarding his reasons for your dismissal?

joanne_d_3

Hi gerry , thanks for the response.

Yes i did have an independant witness at the meeting with me. He took notes for me and another person took notes for my manager. My notes and the copy of the notes given to me by my manager the day after the meeting match up but the notes that my manager sent to me just the other day as part of my appeal booklet DO NOT MATCH , funnily enough.

I appealed my dismissal and the higher manager who conducted the appeal held a lengthy meeting with me and let me talk til i was blue in the face , he then "investigated" but all.he seemed to do was side with everything the first manager had stated in my dismissal. I dont feel the investigation was fair and impartial.

Whats eating me so much is that i KNOW i didnt do what im being accused of , its actually something really serious that WOULD warrant dismissal but i honestly didnt do it.

Thanks again

Indo77

Joanne,

Please ignore Anihilator. He is a known troll. Search any of his posts and similar feedback emerges.

joanne_d_3

Thanks for the warning Indo , i had kinda realised there was something a bit not right with Anihilator !

Things are just getting worse now , my ex employer is now trying to add other things to his reasons for my dismissal. At first (and in the letters he sent to me ) he had cited just one particular reason and now in the appeal investigation booklet i have received he has added on another 3 incidents/mistakes that led to my suspension and then dismissal.

This is going to tribunal and i didnt think he could do that , i didnt think he could start mentioning faults/problems now that he hadnt mention earlier. Am i right ?


Thanks joanne