Help Needed-Suspended from work

MD23

Hi guys i am in serious need of advice as I was suspended from work yesterday and as I have never had any problems before at work i have no idea what my rights are and whether this is likely to lead directly me being sacked. The letter i have received from HR has pinpointed 3 things, 2 of which I have no idea what they are referring to until my meeting with them, and they appear to me to just be fillers for the main issue which is 'concerns about the sexual nature of e-mails being sent through the company system'.(I know the emails that they are referring to and they have no photos or anything like that and they are not to a member of staff, in fact they are to my girlfriend. I have absolutely no idea whether this could be serious enough for me to be dismissed and i was hoping somebody could advise me if that is the case. can i really be dismissed without ever having had any previous disciplinary issues?

The letter I have had also does not advise me that I am entitled to bring somebody along with me, which i believe is the case, so i would appreciate if somebody could confirm that for me.

Googlewhacker

the first question that will be asked is 'what is the company policy on internet use at work?'

MD23

honestly i have no idea, but as they are a multinational company i am guessing that the policy will be extremely stringent.

bendix

Obviously depends on the exact nature of those emails, but if you're using work computers and - more importantly - a work email address to send sexually charged emails to your GF, then you're toast.

MD23

My other concern is that my boss will look to use this to push me out as the my younger assistant is looking to leave the company as she has gained qualifiations to support her bid for a position at my level, and my boss knows she is losing one member of staff she may drive to make me that person rather than my colleague.

Judas

Have to agree with above. Any sexual content be it written, picture whatever is likely to be dismissal.
Most companies wouldnt want a staffmember thick enough to do it.

MD23

bendix, so you think that i am going to be fired?!?

Googlewhacker

MD23 wrote: »

My other concern is that my boss will look to use this to push me out as the my younger assistant is looking to leave the company as she has gained qualifiations to support her bid for a position at my level, and my boss knows she is losing one member of staff she may drive to make me that person rather than my colleague.

Try not to worry about it but you need to find out the policy to see how much wrong you have done.

If you have done it then all you can do is hold your hands up and grovel, if this is not good enough then make sure they do things correctly procedurally wise

lucylucky

Get a copy of the rules re internet use. Should be easy to do.

Depending on what you did it may "only" be construed as a minor offence and you will get a warning, however if it is gross misconduct then you will be shown the door.

If you have been invited to attend a disciplinary hearing you are entitled to a colleague or union rep to accompany you.

lucylucky

Another thought - don't go accessing this site asking for info from your work PC - that might be against policy too.

MD23

Hi guys, thanks for the help, I have been told that initially it is just an 'investigation hearing' does this change anything?

I am going to get in touch with work and ask if i can collect a copy of the internet useage policy.