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

duchy

I'm another one who hopes the OP goes straight to HR this morning and I wish him luck.

Honestly I don't see he has any choice. Nasty situation but the best way to deal with it is in a professional and visable manner.

Anihilator

Surely has to be more to this and is a few discrepancies.

If the OP is so innocent and the manager so out of order why did no one except 2 back him....

wontfallforit

Anihilator wrote: »

Surely has to be more to this and is a few discrepancies.

If the OP is so innocent and the manager so out of order why did no one except 2 back him....

Whether the OP was innocent or guilty, I'm not surprised that most people scarpered. It's what people tend to do in the face of management throwing their weight around. Getting someone to stick up for you in the workplace is sometimes nigh on impossible, as they'd rather save their own backs. I've witnessed far less serious incidents in which "friends" refuse to stick up for each other, even when there's a very strong case for their support.

u264047

Well, The OP went quiet because he needed some sleep and is back now... from work, after being suspended by my line manager 2 mins after sitting at my desk...

Turns out that being off on Friday was a big mistake. The Sales Manager who I have mentioned earlier in my post decided to file his own grievance and allegations whilst I wasn't in. Oh, and he's thrown in a "sustained threatening behavior and verbal abuse" line in on there as well... just in case the drug allegation doesn't stick...

Now. I may have been firm with him in expalining my innocence and not taken kindly to him accusing me of being a druggie thus potentially screwing up my life. But I definately wasn't threatening... and i have a colleague to back me up on this who attending the investigatory meeting with me on Wednesday. Whilst I was there this morning, i demanded I have a drug test with Occupational health, offered to give blood, urine... whatever they needed... and they just stated that they need to follow the procedure. I also asked if The sales manager had been suspended or allowed to go around and get himself some people to back him up with these allegations. Turns out he's still strutting around the sales office with his God complex on....

As for the poster who suggested I wasn't a very nice person or had an attitude problem and therefore my colleagues maybe wouldn't be surprised by this allegation, you may have a grain of truth or two in there, I am a 24 year old, and I have quite a cynical, sardonic way about me, which does mean that on occasion, I may not play well with others, but I really think that this is beside the point. I am bloody good at my job and have nothing on my file whatsoever preceding this... (I have been known to get smashed at Xmas do's though, but never accused of anything of this nature)

It says in my Investigation letter that these allegations are considered Gross Misconduct and could lead to termination of employment....

Any advice on this please, you guys have been great so far, but I never even got a chance to see HR and make a big deal out of this from my perspective.

Thanks,
Matt

bristol_pilot

You need legal representation, this has gone beyond the sort of 'advice' people can give you on an internet forum. I would definitely file a grievance against the sales manager - this can be done from home by post, you don't need to go in to work.

If he has put in writing that you were on drugs I would sue for libel, but then I'm insured for legal expenses. Are you in a union at all? It's times like this when union membership is so worthwhile. Good luck.

ckerrd

You have been suspended while an investigation is being carried out.

You are being interviewed on Wednesday.
Remember that the person you are taking with you is there only as an observer of the meeting, nothing more at this stage

Before the meeting you should have been given the full reason for the suspension in order that you can have the opportunity to challenge any allegations made.

If the main allegation is that you used drugs you can, as you have, offer to submit to any tests. Because someone was sniffing hardly constitutes evidence. Do they have anything else to back up this accusation?

You could, I would think, reasonably argue that your robust defence of your position was a combination of the shock and alcohol.

Do not concern yourself with this manager or his behaviour at the moment, you need to be concentrating on yourself

Kirri

Go and see Citizens Advice too (especially if you are not in a union), ring them now as it may take a few days to get an appointment.

u264047

I went to Citizens advice this morning, they have offered me legal aid and an appointment with a legal advisor on Wednesday before I go to my hearing.

The general advisor there gave her frank opinion on the subject and said "well, it's all about them proving it with actual evidence otherwise you could sue them for libel"

Which gave me a glimmer of hope.

Do you guys really think I should hold any hope of keeping my job after all this is through? or should I have been looking in the Jobcentre an hour ago? getting prepped to sign up for JSA...

u264047

Well, My work colleague/friend was within earshot the whole time I was talking to this guy. He said to me "I heard you talking to him loads at I didn't hear you threaten him once" and he said he'd say that as evidence.

Apart from that "evidence", thats all I have... everybody else still hanging on at this point was on the dance floor, and not privy to this conversation.

I think maybe you mis-interpreted how I described my image... I am well spoken, polite and helpful at work (been there nearly 3 years by the way) I can be off sometimes but that is all, and as I have said, I need to sideline people to meet my targets and deadlines.

Thanks for gracing me with your upbeat reply anyway....different viewpoints are useful to collate.

ckerrd

Has your colleague who heard you, been questioned about this by those carrying out the investigation?