Dismissed on sick leave due to false allegations

boopopps

Thanks guys for all the advice. I was asked if I wanted representation in the meetings and disciplinary, either union rep or colleague. I am not a union member but will be after this. Also colleagues will not get involved, I had been there 15 mths and in that time had seen 3 senior members of staff accused of things, investigated and sacked. I had just began to find out what they were capable of and planned to move as soon as I was well and strong enough. (No one knew this though). Everyone is scared to get involved in case they are next. The company is a huge global American owned one and are ruthless, they also attend tribunals when called to, they never compromise before hand. So I know I am in for a bad time with this. I did ask if a family member could attend with me as I was ill but they refused this.

I think it came about as payrises were frozen for the 2nd year running. The individual accussing me was not happy about this last year. I think she looked to monitor the situation. Although they say no payrises, certain individuals still get them. I had a good appraisal before going sick, and it so happens I got an increase!!! Management says that it does not make her situation any better or worse how she found out, so why would she say I told her. However I believe it does make situation worse and told them so. Theft of info is worse than being told. The figures she as spouted out I was not even aware of as I only work with minimal data to complete recharges. It makes no differece though, in their eyes I'm guilty. I am finding it hard to cope. No one wants to employ me now. I have experience in large blue chip orgs and have passed all my exams first time. I have many letters after my name but these no longer mean a thing because of this.

I spoke to a solicitor over the phone as I was real unwell to begin with. SHe said I had a case but it would cost me £7-10k. I do not have this money. I only have enough funds to keep a roof over my head for next 3 mths. She advised me to check my home contents insurance as I could be covered for legal costs. Thank god I am. However the insurance company have given me a solicitor in cardiff when I live in wolverhampton. They knew about the situation before I was dismissed. When I was dismissed on 1st March I notified them and sent them all details and copies of all the paperwork they needed. I was told that they need to analyse case and will only take it on if I have a 51% chance of winning. It is now over a month and I still do not know if they will pursue to tribunal. I've been told I should know now by 7th April. The clocks ticking and they are not helping.

If I could get a job I would just get on with life but this has ruined what was a really good career for me. I face financial ruin, loss of professional status and am under councilling and treatment from a psychiatric nurse.

DVardysShadow

Do you have evidence of colleagues not wanting to attend with you? As they refused family and you had no one attending with you, I think it may have been dealt with 'correctly' but not fairly.

I know you are under a lot of stress, but you need to get yourself well and thinking clearly, because although these people have a fearsome reputation they are no more than bullies with a lot of front. As it appears to be your salary which this individual knew about, personally I don't think it would be a dismissing matter even if you had told her. And I think you have grounds for a grievance for her accessing your details, although I think you may be too late in the day to take up this aspect.

Perhaps you could consider postponing your illness to deal with this? If you win, you will have no need to return to being ill and if you lose, you will be better off than you are now, because you will be dealing with certainties? It's a bit hard I know ....

boopopps

Hi,

It wasn't just my salary it was all of management team!!

Other thing is, in middle of disciplinary they presented me with new evidence. The day before my disciplinary, the temp whose covering maternity leave for another member of our dept suddenly made a statement and said I had made an outburst about my manager saying what he earned and that I was on less than half. This was a month after the allegation made by her friend!! Its false, and the figure quoted as my managers, well I am not on less than half of it. They did not give me time to prepare a defence on this additional evidence, they told me to read it and comment on it. When brought this up with them they denied it and said they offered an ajournment. I even brought it up at the appeal, but they say I'm lying. They have missed things out of the notes to the meetings too, things that would help me. I told them and the say the notes are only intended to be a flavour of conversations. They did not get me to sign the disciplinary notes to say I agreed with them though.

I do not have evidence of people not wanting to attend, they will not get involved, I have no one to stand up for me. Everyone keeps out of it in fear of being next.

DVardysShadow

boopopps wrote: »

... I do not have evidence of people not wanting to attend, they will not get involved, I have no one to stand up for me. Everyone keeps out of it in fear of being next.

The 'I like you, I think I will kill you last' school of management.

Would you consider taking them to a tribunal?

boopopps

If the solicitor comes back and says they will take it on then yeah. The insurance will then cover the cost. Without the help of this I do not think I could. Some people go it alone but 4 managers and 2 false witnesses against me, they would probably wipe the floor with me.

karatedragon

I would have got the union involved.

lynzpower

karatedragon wrote: »

I would have got the union involved.

Op has already said she isnt a member of the union.

DVardysShadow

boopopps wrote: »

If the solicitor comes back and says they will take it on then yeah. The insurance will then cover the cost. Without the help of this I do not think I could. Some people go it alone but 4 managers and 2 false witnesses against me, they would probably wipe the floor with me.

Not necessarily, if you focus. The false witnesses are intimidating, but less so if you actually get them to stand up and repeat their lies. Remember that they only told their lies because they are lacking in moral courage. They will fear being put on the stand more than you will!

boopopps

Actually the one of them is a temp and will be leaving in june. If a tribunal comes to fruition, by the time it does she will be left. If she does not attend then will the tribunal not take their word as true?

DVardysShadow

I don't see that it follows, one way or the other. Her late testimony to the internal investigation is fairly damning. If you have a means of contacting her after she leaves, she may be more open.?