grievance hearing, who to take

missprice

Hi all

I have rasied a grievance at work. no problem with that
went to a meeting this afternoon to discuss it and took another employer with me.(this person employs me in another post for a completely different role and he owns his own company)

17 minutes after starting, it was stopped by the company I have the grievance with. apparently the area supervisor was intimidated by the person I took with me, he never spoke and took some notes.dunno why thats intimidating but fair dos

Are they trying to delay (its been ongoing for a month now)
the area supervisor told me I can go back tomorrow with either another employee from the same company or a union rep
are they trying to get me alone? I will stick up for myself but even I need someone in a meeting this big (read serious)

I am not with a union although considering it for future events
I cannot get someone that fast anyway, so i said later this week or maybe next, will they see this as me delaying now?

can i take a solicitor with me?

AFAIK I have 6 months from date of grievance to start a ET, is that right?

many many thanks from the frustrated one

scooby088

I wouldnt think that you would be able to take a solicitor in with you, but the company offered you the chance of another employee or a union rep, basically they are there only as a witness and making sure that procedure is followed as they will not be allowed to speak on your behalf. If i were you i'd be speaking to acas.

missprice

cheers scooby
not a member of ACAS
but about to be

DVardysShadow

What they may be trying to do is to put you off stride for tomorrow. In your position, I would write a short note to them outlining what happened - probably no more and no less detail than you have given here - and ask for a week's adjournment to sort out your witness.

ACAS is a gov't agency, not something you join.

missprice

DVardysShadow wrote: »

What they may be trying to do is to put you off stride for tomorrow. In your position, I would write a short note to them outlining what happened - probably no more and no less detail than you have given here - and ask for a week's adjournment to sort out your witness.

ACAS is a gov't agency, not something you join.

:embarasse I just been on ACAS website and found out its not a union

am struggling to find someone who can (will be allowed to) go with me.

plenty of people have offered but no one is union rep
ah hecky its getting me down now
ta for replies so far

midnight_ninja

I'd still talk a work colleague in with you as a witness if you can't get a union rep , then at least they can be witness to whatever occurs

emmell

I think they were right in not allowing someone from outside the company to accompany you in the meeting. You don't have to have anyone with you, but I think if you do it has to be a union rep or someone who works with you. Also I don't think you can join a union and expect them to represent you straight away.
ML.

pinkshoes

You can just take any colleague with you, they don't have to be a union rep. They're just there to take notes and listen. I would also advise recording the dialogue then scripting it afterwards.

I made a stupid mistake of not taking someone to my grievance recently, and the management got away with lying through their teeth, and even turned it round to make me look bad based on my boss' version of lies, despite rejecting the grievance based on one person's word against another's!

yellowduck_2

you generally have to be a union member for a certain length of time ( i think it is around 3 months) before they will represent\accompany you. I think they may give verbal advice if you join whilst you are having problems at work.

Debt_Free_Chick

missprice wrote: »

Hi all

I have rasied a grievance at work. no problem with that
went to a meeting this afternoon to discuss it and took another employer with me.(this person employs me in another post for a completely different role and he owns his own company)

Do you really mean that you took another "employer" with you? Does the person you took work for the company you are raising a grievance with?

You seem to be a little "stressed" about taking someone else with you. It's not essential that you do so as this is meant to be a fair hearing and not a kangaroo-court.

I can understand that it can be a stressful experience, but the process is meant to be fair and conciliatory - not advosarial or judgemental.

The law only gives you the option of being accompanied by a colleague or a union rep - not a solicitor (as the process is meant to be pre-legal proceedings) or any other "legal representation".

What does your employer's grievance policy say?

the area supervisor told me I can go back tomorrow with either another employee from the same company or a union rep

This is what the law requires you - it's correct

can i take a solicitor with me?

No - unless your employer agrees to extend your rights beyond what the law requires.

AFAIK I have 6 months from date of grievance to start a ET, is that right?

Let's not go there just yet. The Grievance Procedure is meant to reach a mutual agreement and to resolve differences - not to build a foundation for legal proceedings.

Are you sure you have a valid grievance? Just checking .....

missprice

emmell wrote: »

I think they were right in not allowing someone from outside the company to accompany you in the meeting. You don't have to have anyone with you, but I think if you do it has to be a union rep or someone who works with you. Also I don't think you can join a union and expect them to represent you straight away.
ML.

The join the union thing was for any future problems of this kind, not for this one. sorry if i didnt make that clear

there is no union for us (cleaners) or for the company

none of the work colleagues will go with me they are too scared for their jobs, and yes i have repeatedly told them it cant be held against them, but they dont/wont believe me. cant make them.

this is why i have the problem

I agree its not meant to be adversarial, but going by the 17 mins i was in yesterday its going to be.

i am slightly stuck and i really dont want to attend alone.
awww poopy poopy poopy

oh and yes its a valid grievance, times and dates of bullying and patronising behaviour, discrimination etc

cheers people you are all ickle luvvies