help. Xmas do... suspected of doing DRUGS!!!!!!

DVardysShadow

u264047 wrote: »

Well, I had my meeting today, all they wanted was my version of events. ...

Apparently the office apprentice girl has said I offered to get drugs for her a few weeks ago..but I think that they know this was a joke, I am very sarcastic (conversation was about how you can enjoy rock music WITHOUT drugs, however for dance/dub step music- her favourite, it was mandatory)

She is a bit dim though, and it not unknown for her to not 'get' jokes.....

Ah, understanding dawns! It looks like this girl may have got hold of the wrong end of the stick and gone to management, meaning that your card was marked. And now silly director has gone off on one on the basis of the office junior not getting a joke. Of course, silly director is going to look foolish if this version of events is accepted, so there may be a lot at stake for him to actually see you pushed out to excuse him from any need to feel embarrassed.

Well, that is my take on it. I'm short of ideas on how to handle it.

Zazen999

I knew he was on a hit list. Just knew it....

pineapple

But if he made others aware he thought you had a drug problem, he still acted inappropriately surely. Depends if you can prove this. If so, I would launch a counter complaint and they might just realise they have handled it badly and drop it. Oh and still get some independent advice. Now go have that glass of wine.

robredz

Hopefully HR will realise the dimwit was barking up the wrong tree, and the manager will be made to look foolish, hopefully this will not adversely affect you. It is possible that HR may not like the manager in question..... hopefully, so just play it cool and good luck. Try to enjoy Christmas and not worry too much, A******s are sent to try us. Keep the troll on ignore as he has been feeding royally across the forums

Kirri

Did you say you will be putting in a grievance and taking legal advice on incorrectly being accused of drug taking or that you would progress to tribunal procedures etc? I would have let them know just how serious I was as this is something that would not only affect your job there but future employment/career.
When did they say you would receive the outcome of the meeting?
It's horrible to have this sort of thing hanging over you/your family at Christmas.

rach29

u264047 wrote: »

I think i'll hold off on that relaxing glass of wine with my wife for a while.

Just think of this story if you are feeling low at any point through Christmas. Because I bet you'll still be feeling a damn sight better than me... :-(

Have it anyway Matt, your wife will hopefully be a great support to you at this time & she doubtless could do with a hug from you, and a bit of reassurance too.

I will be thinking of you at Christmas too, it's horrible to have something like this hanging over you at any time, but worse this time of year.

What was your union colleague's take on events today? Did you put forward your grievance, or are you waiting for a resolution first?
What did HR say about the Managers accusations?

As it stands, they are acting very properly & conducting a full investigation it seems. Did they give you any idea of how long they expect this to take? If you need a little something to warm your heart, I would say that a firm which handles HR issues this thoroughly will be utterly horrified at the unprofessional manner in which Mr Sales Manager accused you & spoke to other staff about his suspicions.

Keep strong & do your best to enjoy the Christmas break

trickytrolleys

havent read all of it, just OP's posts but I would seriously be enjoying christmas off - being suspended on full pay for something that will most likely come to nothing ?? Thats fab, you're getting paid to be at home !!

The manager sounds like a total kn0b, ignore him but (if it was me) I would be making it VERY clear that I would be taking legal action AGAINST him personally (and I wouldnt be joking either) - that'll !!!!!! him up!!

Good luck!!

pinkshoes

Chin up and definitely have that glass of wine!!

If it's any compensation, I had a cr*p day at work too and got a b*llocking for being 10 minutes late coming back from lunch (a supplier took me out - it would have been really rude just to up and run when the bill arrived!). What annoyed me most was that I'm usually the most punctual person in the office, and the other guy in the meeting turned up 20 minutes late for work, and left 25 mins early for lunch.

Fight this all the way, and don't give up! Hopefully all will turn out fine.

u264047

Again, can't thank you lot enough for following this and offering your thoughts.

Wife is also being terrific support, varying between being outraged and breaking down in tears. It's tough... don't really have enough experience in this sector!

I did indeed mention how serious I am taking this, throughout the interview I was calm and I did mention I would be taking this further with the Sales Manager as soon as I could.. I know that I definately won't have an answer before Christmas.

The girl in HR who is dealing with this likes me (or at least seems to) and we played pool together + helped her out at the Xmas do in question, and was also the one jobbed with putting a package together for my (now very unlikely) transfer to China.

Just hope she looks at it from both sides.

rach29

Did you ask your Union colleague about when best to put your grievance together? Personally I would get it in now. It shows you are serious and allows them to investigate both things at once.

Also the incident will still be fresh in the minds of those present (ie those Mr Sales Manager told that he had caught you taking drugs in the toilet)

You never know it might even gain him a nice New Year suspension of his own (I have a secret cruel streak)