Stress at work - hard drive removed.( Londg post)

janb5

terra_ferma wrote: »

Taking unauthorised leave is very serious. Do you mean that you took time off without informing your line manager? And that you dealt with your dentist appointment and your window emergency from your computer while at work?
Even if you felt you were owed the time off you should have informed your manager. As a Union rep you should really know better.
You can't really claim you are being victimised, they seem to have very good grounds to investigate you.

Ok I thought you were heavy handed when you said as " a union rep I should know better" we do not always deal with all scenarios. I apologize for responding in kind.

janb5

paulofessex wrote: »

Hi Janb5

Reading your original and subsquent posts it is my opinion that it would be fair to say that the employment may be over, either by your choice or not. Realisticly would you really want to return back to work within that enviroment. Although saying that these days we can't afford to just leave jobs.

Your job of course as you know is not just a job, its a profession, career etc so it is my view that your best move now would be about damage limitation in order to limit any potentail issues when applying for future posts i.e. references.

Annoying as it may seem, l wonder if you have considered the pro's and cons of being dismissed, possibly for gross misconduct, depends on your terms of contract, compared to leaving on health issues or other grounds you may think of.

May be worth speaking with the union rep, however l would be stating to him in no uncertain terms that you want to meet at least a week before the meeting to both discuss issues and then use the hour before the meeting to discuss plan of action.

I wish you the very best of luck with this situation

I totally agree with what you have said but of course if it is gross misconduct that will effectively bar me from applying to another Trust. I have been qualified for 30 years so it isnt easy.

I have emailed the rep to say that I do think it is essential that we meet prior to the hearing so I am stuck if he thinks it isnt necessary.

prowla

By "hard drive", do you mean computer?

janb5

Yes the hard drive was taken - not the screen.

terra_ferma

janb5 wrote: »

Ok I thought you were heavy handed when you said as " a union rep I should know better" we do not always deal with all scenarios. I apologize for responding in kind.

What I mean in this context is not that a union rep should be an expert of every aspect of employment law and loopholes, but have an understanding of basic principles of an employer/employee relationship: one can't just go off and do their own thing during working hours without the employer's knowledge and consent. (god forbid if another worker had asked your advice on this).

By what I think is even more important is that anyone covering some kind of public office should show some integrity (but I'm probably naive I know...)

prowla

janb5 wrote: »

Yes the hard drive was taken - not the screen.

Ah, you say hard drive, but I think you mean computer.
A hard drive is usually hidden away inside the computer and looks like this:
So when you say they took your hard drive, I'm thinking that they opened up your computer and took the above component out.
It might be worth confirming the terminology you use if you do go to a formal meeting, as it could make you look better...

Debt_Free_Chick

janb5 wrote: »

Policy says to use internet during break time ( all of half an hour!) or before/after work.

And was this what you did?

I would also argue that I dont get a break so that if I read my emails then I`m getting some time back.

By definition, you must be on a break if you're using the internet. Or do you have fixed times for breaks?

ellie101

prowla wrote: »

So when you say they took your hard drive, I'm thinking that they opened up your computer and took the above component out.
It might be worth confirming the terminology you use if you do go to a formal meeting, as it could make you look better...

I didn't think that for second. It's obvious that they are taking away the PC/hard drive to get information off it.

OP, wouldn't worry about the terminology, they are getting the info off the hard drive anyway. In the grand scheme of things that is the least of your worries.

ellie101

Why is everyone taking the OP apart? I know it's the internet but c'mon. Coming across as nasty and spiteful. They may have made some mistakes (and they seem pretty minor) but nothing constructive is being offered. Are you perfect at work?

ellie101

OP, have you access to legal advice through the union? From my experience, it's not always fantastic, but worth a chat to see if they can offer you advice. If not, get a lawyer if you can afford it.

Also, I guess as a rep you know enough about bringing someone to all meetings with you? In last company I worked in you had automatic right to request someone, not sure how law works generally.