JSA - Sanction or Not????

Mad_as_Hell_3

Any advice greatly received - long time reader, first time post.

I started a new job 2 weeks ago. On my first day I wasn’t given any formal induction nor was I given any health & safety policy – which I understand is required by law.

I was just given a desk and told to get on with the work (similar to work I had done before so had a general grasp). There was one aspect of the job that I did not have much experience in, which I told him at the interview, and he said I would be trained. I realised quite soon into the first day my boss was very arrogant and was going to be difficult to work with.

By day 2 in the job with no training he came into the office and asked to see the work I had done. He had given me a project to work on covering the exact subject I needed training in. I had done the best I could with it but there were a couple of mistakes due to lack of understanding – he was never available by the way as always out of the office. He berated me in a very aggressive manner and in front of 2 other members of staff. I was so humiliated and upset that I resigned and walked out. It is a small company and he is the only director so nobody else to turn/complain to.

I now realise that going to work for this company was a huge mistake and is the most unprofessional company I’ve ever had the misfortune to come across. I am desperately trying to find other work and have claimed JSA (interview next week).

My question is will my JSA be sanctioned under the circumstances and the fact that they broke the law in not giving me a health & safety induction and the way I was treated?


Thank You

Mr_Falling_Star

Mad_as_Hell wrote: »

Any advice greatly received - long time reader, first time post.

I started a new job 2 weeks ago. On my first day I wasn’t given any formal induction nor was I given any health & safety policy – which I understand is required by law.

I was just given a desk and told to get on with the work (similar to work I had done before so had a general grasp). There was one aspect of the job that I did not have much experience in, which I told him at the interview, and he said I would be trained. I realised quite soon into the first day my boss was very arrogant and was going to be difficult to work with.

By day 2 in the job with no training he came into the office and asked to see the work I had done. He had given me a project to work on covering the exact subject I needed training in. I had done the best I could with it but there were a couple of mistakes due to lack of understanding – he was never available by the way as always out of the office. He berated me in a very aggressive manner and in front of 2 other members of staff. I was so humiliated and upset that I resigned and walked out. It is a small company and he is the only director so nobody else to turn/complain to.

I now realise that going to work for this company was a huge mistake and is the most unprofessional company I’ve ever had the misfortune to come across. I am desperately trying to find other work and have claimed JSA (interview next week).

My question is will my JSA be sanctioned under the circumstances and the fact that they broke the law in not giving me a health & safety induction and the way I was treated?


Thank You

Possibly, I don't think the Health and Safety induction is much defence (as shoddy as it was of them) for leaving

The walking out is a bit more problamatic, I will have a think and come back to you

GlasweJen

You walked out after 2 days? Yeah you're probably facing a sanction, would have been different if you'd requested the training in writing and been denied but you just waltzed out without any thought of the consequences. Could you really judge how good/bad the workplace was in less than 2 shifts?

Mr_Falling_Star

This website gives more Information

http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/jsa/justcause.asp

Mad_as_Hell_3

Thanks for the very helpful link Mr Falling Star.

One of the reasons in your link that a sanction may not be imposed is "You will have just cause for leaving if you can show that the job's terms and conditions were so unsuitable that you could not reasonably be expected to stay. Again, you will need to show that you have taken steps to resolve the problem. You will have just cause if your employer fails to comply with some aspect of your contract of employment and you left shortly after starting work. In these circumstances, decision makers are advised to obtain a copy of the contract of emplyment."

My contract of employment states that the company health & safety policy will be explained to me on my engagement. As they failed to do this, would this be a sufficient reason?

dmg24

No, that would not be sufficient on its own. You have highlighted the parts of your quote which support your situation, and chosen to ignore 'You will need to show that you have taken steps to resolve the problem.'

Amistoso_2

sounds like you went there for 2 days, didn't like the place and walked out, and now your looking for excuses to get you off your JSA being sanctioned, and that's how the JC will probably see it too, I'm pretty sure you will get a sanction for this as you never gave them a chance to act on your request for training...

Mad_as_Hell_3

Amistoso wrote: »

sounds like you went there for 2 days, didn't like the place and walked out, and now your looking for excuses to get you off your JSA being sanctioned...

You are wrong!

I have condensed my account of the situation down so as not to be identifiable - there are a lot of other matters but I cannot post them on here. I have my full account ready for the JCP so it will be they who decides - maybe I should have just waited for my appointment in the first place and not come on here.

Mr_Falling_Star

Mad_as_Hell wrote: »

You are wrong!

I have condensed my account of the situation down so as not to be identifiable - there are a lot of other matters but I cannot post them on here. I have my full account ready for the JCP so it will be they who decides - maybe I should have just waited for my appointment in the first place and not come on here.

Don't worry, I am not often on here as a lot of people rush to judgement over reasonable questions like these.

Mad_as_Hell_3

Mr_Falling_Star wrote: »

Don't worry, I am not often on here as a lot of people rush to judgement over reasonable questions like these.

Yes it seems some people automatically jump to the wrong conclusion - I'll certainly think twice before coming on here again.

Amistoso_2

just telling it like it is, sorry if it's not what you want to hear, but that's how they will likely see it.
less than 2 days is not long enough to give the place a chance.
You posed the question do people think you will be sanctioned, I answered honestly and from my experience working for JCP, you won't always just be told what you want to hear on MSE I'm afraid