Some Advice regarding suspension?

shauniebabe

Hi,

Just wondering if someone could give me some advice for my MIL!
Its slightly complicated so apologies for the long post. She works for a company that just over a year ago gave everyone 90 days notice and offered voluntary. Some people took it and as such the shop decided to stay open. She has been there 14 years and is one of only 2 staff left who is not family of the owner.

Since then the shop has continued to do Business but sales are slowish due to the stock not being as good as it was and a Primark opening nearby. Over the last 3 months the MIL has felt victimised and bullied in that the owner/manageress would say to her "its sad we wont be here next xmas" and similar whilst also doing sly things like having a works night out and saying no point asking you as you wont come on a saturday or making toast and offering everyone apart from the MIL.

Approx 3 weeks ago she asked the MIL if she wanted to go part time as she cares for her father but weve recently arranged care for this so the MIL said no.

Yesterday she got into work and the owner said she wanted to check everyones backs which she agreed. She had her bag checked and in the bag was 3 items that she purchased numerous weeks ago. She was accused of stealing as she pointed out shed paid for it and told her roughky when it was ( she remembers it was a dinnertime 5/6 wks ago as she needed change for the phone). The owner had a rant at her about how she couldnt believe that the MIL would steal from her and that she was one of the most trusted staff. She also said that over the last few years shes kept her on with medical and home problems when she could of let her go. She was later given the items back.

This morning she went into work and at 10 o clock was took in the back office and asked to look in the bag again. The same items were in there and the owner said she had asked the staff and no one remembered serving her with them. She regularly purchases from the shop 4/5 times a week. The owner then told her to go home and ring later.

The MIL has medical issues (including mental issues) and did not phone, instead spending the time in the Drs/Hospital after having a "turn". She returned from work to find a note written on a scrap of paper telling her not to come in and to return Friday at 10 am for a meeting that she can bring a work colleague to.

Obviously we can see she has been suspended pending a investigation, however we know that it has been done to get out of paying any redundancy. Especially seeing as she overheard the owner teling her brother that she was being finished on xmas eve as she had to have the biggest redundancy pay out!

So i was wondering if anyone could give any advice. She is going to see a soliciter tomorrow to see were she stands but we would like either a family member or soliciter to be allowed in at the meeting if only for health reasons!

Any Advice?

shauniebabe

Forgot to say it was also mentioned that because she is on minimum wage maybe she couldnt afford to buy everything.

Should she take in her Bank statements showing that shes got money?

dmg24

What kind of items are we referring to? Are these items that someone would normally carry in their handbag?

shauniebabe

Yes items you would normally carry around. However that is not the point, theyve been purchased and are only worth less than £6 if that!

dmg24

It is the point if she is unable to prove where/ when she bought them!

A pack of chewing gum in a handbag could be from anywhere and bought at anytime. Without evidence to the contrary, it would be impossible for the employer to say the item had been stolen from their store. Conversely, a diamond ring sold only in that store would be much easier to pinpoint as a valid or fraudulent transaction.

Maybe you need to look at this from the employers point of view before telling people what is or is not 'the point'? :rolleyes:

shauniebabe

Sorry Dmg just stressed!

When goods are bought in the shop they dont give a recipt to staff! Surely it is down to the employer to proof they items are stolen! The items could of come from other places but she is not saying that she is saying they were bought in the shop at a point 5/6 wks before. She is admitting that and saying she bought them but the owner is saying no one can remember her purchasing these items

In 14 years she has never been accused of anything yet when its coming down to paying redundancy this happens!

Surely it should be like the law and innocent until proven guilty! She is willing for the Police to come in and investigate if required!

olly300

Few points what exact health issues does your MIL have, please state here this as this may be really important.

Secondly get your MIL to telephone ACAS with someone like you there in the background and the call on loudspeaker. You mustn't talk at all during her phone call you are simply there to listen and make notes to stop your MIL getting confused.

Your MIL needs to explain the situation briefly this is:
1. That she has worked for her employer for 14 years
2. That she is suspended for alleged stealing
3. The employer does not give receipts to staff for purchases from the store
4. No one remembers her purchasing goods from the store.
5. What rights does she have?

ACAS are not interested in the alleged bullying or the other comments as that is hearsay. They are also not interested in long explanations as they don't have the time due to the volume of work they have. They also can only give simple advice over the phone.

shauniebabe

Thanks,

She has Depression and Stress disorder which causes her to suffer Panic Attacks and collapses.

Anihilator

From the employers point of view it doesnt look good and your MIL does seem to be a bit of a moaner and can't prove that items werent stolen and the employer is obviously making an effort to find out.

shauniebabe

More helpful advice annihlator.

Actually she isnt a moaner just telling it like it is!

Anihilator

shauniebabe wrote: »

More helpful advice annihlator.

Actually she isnt a moaner just telling it like it is!

Doesnt sound like it. But just to tell you how it is in the real world I will answer your thread in much more detail.