Released from voluntary position - help!

mountainofdebt

liverpoolste wrote: »

I understand, but I hadn't approached it as though it was an official word - I just went back into the office and said to her "Oh you won't guess what's happened - I've got some goss to tell?"

to me this was your biggest mistake.

The way you seemed to have approached the issue was totally wrong imo - if you felt that your ex may cause trouble then the issue should have been raised in private on a formal basis - otherwise the issue should have been mentioned when there were no visitors around .........its one thing to talk about personal issues when its just staff around, totally a different situation when there are external visiors, regardless of how well you know them or the advice they've given you

The other thing I would be wary of is meeting cliente outside working environment - sounds like a recipe for disaster in any organisation imo.

Sorry but I do think you've blown it.

liverpoolste

mountainofdebt wrote: »

The way you seemed to have approached the issue was totally wrong imo - if you felt that your ex may cause trouble then the issue should have been raised in private on a formal basis - otherwise the issue should have been mentioned when there were no visitors around ..........

Yes in hindsight, the way the office is set out in open plan I just told my team leader. I wouldn't have told the 2nd in line as she would've then had sufficient ammunition to build a catalogue of 'markers' against me which could get me in trouble before Feb 1st.

PLUS, a malicious allegation of an affair which is totally unfounded deserves the time and attention it's due - hardly any!

It seems and I was told by several members of staff in there that the 2nd in command was gunning for me like some kind of witch hunt as she was seething I'd gone above her last time when I requested a move to the mentors.

I just hope when/IF I get an opportunity to speak to the Chairman without the 2nd in command intimidatingly looking at me, I can come across as eloquently as possible without playing any sympathy card. I am gutted but can't/won't tell him that as he's accustomed to those tricks all the time with people pushing their luck!lol

Diplomacy and tact is hard to find when you've had the confidence kicked out of you!

Thanks everyone - your comments are wholly appreciated :A

liverpoolste

Fire_Fox wrote: »

....... certainly not when you have been let go, and not when you have been let go for being overfamiliar with the staff.

Do you mean the girl I was alleged to have the affair with? As I thought if a team got on it's a bonus if they communicate above and beyond the workplace as you trust each other more and know your colleagues will always aid and assist if ever needed? Or even just improves the overall working environment as we all do know each others issues and can counter-act any negative ones if so.......

If you meant my team leader - I had to tell her definitely as I didn't feel it necessary nor trusted anyway to tell the 2nd in command. I was trying to stay off her radar remember after the Chairman rubber-stamping my move only a fortnight ago!lol My team leader would have then been privvy to my situation should anything worse hppen like my ex contacting the workplace all the time.......

NOW, as it turns out my team leader hasn't as yet approached the Chairman to tell it how it was because she's fearful of her position now he seems to be telling people to clear off out the office!

Gutted about that, so proves a point when you think you have friends in the work place.....

Savvy_Sue

liverpoolste wrote: »

Just an outlet - been going along with one of my clients! :beer: But we're that close to them now we treat some as friends. We all have work mobiles (which I still currrently have but not treating that as a security blanket as that would be false hope) to contact/be contacted by our clients/mentees.

Eye opener too - I'm 31 and haven't been out in years. Brought back some much missed enjoyment and lifting my spirit at a really bad time. I know alcohol is a blocker to real situations and can cloud your best judgement but if I wasn't going out I'd probably be wanting to jump in the Mersey (no joke either!)

The blurring of distinctions between 'clients' and 'friends' is about the scariest thing you can do in the workplace, IMO.

Especially going out drinking with ex-offenders, again, IMO.

ESPECIALLY if you drink when you don't usually drink!

However, since I don't think ACAS are going to be much help to you - they might, if you had a firm offer in writing for a Feb start - it MAY be worth contacting your local CVS for specific advice about volunteer grievances. Google CVS plus your local town / county.

liverpoolste

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

The blurring of distinctions between 'clients' and 'friends' is about the scariest thing you can do in the workplace, IMO.

Especially going out drinking with ex-offenders, again, IMO.

ESPECIALLY if you drink when you don't usually drink!

However, since I don't think ACAS are going to be much help to you - they might, if you had a firm offer in writing for a Feb start - it MAY be worth contacting your local CVS for specific advice about volunteer grievances. Google CVS plus your local town / county.

I do take on board everything you say and yes maybe drinking isn't the best option but at the minute it was a better option than feeling depressed. Was in the doctors coincindentally yesterday and he prescribed medication but IMO I need to deal with my problem head-on and address them, not mask them with chemicals but that's purely IMO... Past couple of days though really has opened my eyes and I can empathise with others who take drink/drugs to forget stuff. You see I'm teetotal, hate drugs and even smoking!lol

** Past couple of nights when I have gone out it's been Smirnoff Ice as I can't stand that masculine beer/lager taste!haha **

As for the job offer confirmation. Yes I do have that letter confirming I would be a mentor I'll get on Google now.

EDIT:
CVS Liverpool
151 Dale Street
Liverpool
L2 2AH
Telephone: 0151 227 5177

anamenottaken

liverpoolste wrote: »

Next few days will really be a HUGE turning point in my life for sure. This is the rest of my working life hanging in the balance as it's a secure job for life which would take anyone to unexpected heights as the company mushrooms.

I've been an employment adviser (had different title but I imagine there would be overlap with the role in the organisation for which you worked). Employment advisers need to advise their clients there is no "job for life".

There will be other opportunties for you. Look at what you learned over the last few months and how that can inform your future.

liverpoolste

anamenottaken wrote: »

I've been an employment adviser (had different title but I imagine there would be overlap with the role in the organisation for which you worked). Employment advisers need to advise their clients there is no "job for life".

There will be other opportunties for you. Look at what you learned over the last few months and how that can inform your future.

As the company is seriously going for places I would've given blood, sweat and tears for life if I could have!

No job is guaranteed for life I agree. But, you know when you've had a job in the past and all since have never matched? Well my one (only one!) that I enjoyed was way back in 1998 and I really didn't think I'd find another satisfying job like that again. Obviously I've enjoyed jobs but not where you'd really sell your soul to the devil to protect it and the company!

I realise if it goes the way everyone kindly doesn't want it to, then I will have to explore other avenues and I'm perfectly capable of job searching. Just that for the satisfaction, quality of colleagues, the laugh, the salary and the satisfaction of genuinely helping people turn their lives around - will not be matched as that mix is SO unique it's impossible to match.....

Everyone fingers crossed!

Fire_Fox

liverpoolste wrote: »

Do you mean the girl I was alleged to have the affair with? As I thought if a team got on it's a bonus if they communicate above and beyond the workplace as you trust each other more and know your colleagues will always aid and assist if ever needed? Or even just improves the overall working environment as we all do know each others issues and can counter-act any negative ones if so.......

If you meant my team leader - I had to tell her definitely as I didn't feel it necessary nor trusted anyway to tell the 2nd in command. I was trying to stay off her radar remember after the Chairman rubber-stamping my move only a fortnight ago!lol My team leader would have then been privvy to my situation should anything worse hppen like my ex contacting the workplace all the time.......

I mean that the emboldened is unprofessional behaviour, regardless of what those with a permanent position might do: by your own admission you gossiped! PLEASE learn from this mistake, you are not part of the team until you have passed your probationary period.

liverpoolste wrote: »

Just an outlet - been going along with one of my clients! :beer: But we're that close to them now we treat some as friends. We all have work mobiles (which I still currrently have but not treating that as a security blanket as that would be false hope) to contact/be contacted by our clients/mentees.

liverpoolste wrote: »

I understand, but I hadn't approached it as though it was an official word - I just went back into the office and said to her "Oh you won't guess what's happened - I've got some goss to tell?" and that's when the other organisations person was asked did she want to hear/have an input? With hindsight I should've bitten my lip until she'd gone BUT I didn't feel uncomfortable telling the other person as we do know her pretty well. She actually gave some pretty good and reassuring advice too! I did ask for strictest confidence though also!

Loose lips, sink ships!

liverpoolste

Yeah I do see where you're coming from. I probably enjoyed my job that much and felt that comfortable I became complacent......

Savvy_Sue

liverpoolste wrote: »

I do take on board everything you say and yes maybe drinking isn't the best option but at the minute it was a better option than feeling depressed.

It scares me to think that you don't realise that alcohol is a depressant rather than an anti-depressant.

liverpoolste wrote: »

Was in the doctors coincindentally yesterday and he prescribed medication but IMO I need to deal with my problem head-on and address them, not mask them with chemicals but that's purely IMO... Past couple of days though really has opened my eyes and I can empathise with others who take drink/drugs to forget stuff.

I agree you need to deal with your problems. And empathy is a dangerous thing sometimes ...

liverpoolste wrote: »

You see I'm teetotal, hate drugs and even smoking!lol

** Past couple of nights when I have gone out it's been Smirnoff Ice as I can't stand that masculine beer/lager taste!haha **

When did the definition of 'teetotal' become 'not drinking beer/lager'? (Gosh I miss the 'confused' smiley!) How long have you been working with ex-offenders? Don't feel you have to answer that, but it still confuses me when I hear people say "I'm clean, I'm only taking x ml of Methadone now and I'm not smoking crack all the time, just pot".

Their boundaries are often blurred, which is why YOURS must be really clear and set in concrete!

BTW, I know not all ex-offenders have problems with drugs and alcohol, but enough of them do to make a very very broad generalisation possible!

Oh, and I'd remove those CVS details. A quick google and I could make an educated guess as to who you hoped to be working for.