Help Needed-Suspended from work

MD23

LL, that would be tough as im suspended!

justanopinion

As said, it depends entirely on the policy. Having said that, it depends what the other issues raised were. I'm not too sure I would suspend someone for sending emails to their partner; guess it depends on the content. I'd only really suspend if it was clear that the person remaining in the office would cause more harm than good, or be detrimental to the company.

Process wise, the suspension should be on full pay and should not last more than two weeks, though that can be extended.

lucylucky

You are not automatically entitled to have someone with you for that type of meeting IIRC, however all of this policy with respect to your company should be documented and available to you. Whether that be in the form of a handbook or on an intranet.

You need to get all the relevant policies and make sure you read and understand them

lucylucky

MD23 wrote: »

LL, that would be tough as im suspended!

True - my apologies.

doh!

SarEl

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.

This may all be true, but you've given them the opportunity haven't you? What you have been told is absolutely true - any sexually explicit e-mails mau result in dismissal for a fist offence. But there is another relevant question (which may perhaps explain one of the allegations you don't understand) - when did you send them? Because if you compounded the first offence by sending them in working time, then that would also be an offence, on the basis that you are expected to be working and not sending e-mail of any personal nature. The two together would be walking straight into a serious, if not, gross misconduct allegation. So I would suggest that the grovelling advice might be well given.

maninthestreet

I have to ask, but what was the content of that email you sent to your girlfriend? On second thoughts, it's probably not a good idea to describe it's contents on a public forum.

Pete111

My Advice. (Assuming the reason for the investigation is as you suspect and the IT policy is stringent)

1) Listen carefully to issue being investigated
2) If appropriate, admit your culpability quickly
3) Apologise profusely
4) State that although in hindsight you see that it is against policy, you were not actively looking to breach company proceedure and have acted naively and unthinkingly.
5) Say that though you understand the company has a full right to view your emails, the emails were not intended to be viewed by anyone but you and your GF and you are highly embarrased that they have been
6) Reassure them that when sending the emails you were not putting work on the back burner (it will help if you can show you don't arrive/ leave on the dot each day here..)
7) Assure them that you fully understand that it is a serious issue and would never do this again.
8) Re-affirm your commitment to the company and that you hope this stupid error will not be seen as a deal breaker.

The above may give you a fighting chance. Depending on the content/policy however, they may feel able to dismiss you.

Personally I would give you a warning at worst, but we are quite chilled out where I work and many companies are tough on this.

bendix

MD23 wrote: »

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

Quite possibly, but as you havent divulged the nature of the emails it's impossible to tell.

I think the internet policy is irrelevant. It should be obvious to anyone that you don't use work email address to 'get fresh' with your gf. You're just asking for trouble. Most IT departments will have a filter which would pick up any emails with certain words in it.

Pete111, as usual, offers good advice.

You sound relatively young and - dare I say - naieve. If I were you I'd throw myself at the mercy of the meeting, say that you're terribly embarassed, have been a right plonker and realise in hindsight that it could be potentially embarassing for your employer too.

Take this approach and you should be ok - verbal or written warning at most.

omen666

I dont think you will necessarily lose your job over this and think that the majority of the above saying that are wrong to do so especially without full knowledge of the facts

First and fremost the company owns every email within the company.

Secondly did you ever sign a Internet/Email usage policy or sign for having been given one?

I work in IT and have restored loads of mailboxes and sifted through loads for this type of scenario. As they are a multi national company there will be a policy in use and this would also be inclusive of any Blackberry or smart phone.

I think you are in the milder end of the scale as you have not divulged any data via email nor have you ranted or rubbished the company to an outside source that could have an adverse effect.

What is important here is what you wrote, that way we can all gauge whats what

SarEl

omen666 wrote: »

I dont think you will necessarily lose your job over this and think that the majority of the above saying that are wrong to do so especially without full knowledge of the facts

First and fremost the company owns every email within the company.

Secondly did you ever sign a Internet/Email usage policy or sign for having been given one?

I work in IT and have restored loads of mailboxes and sifted through loads for this type of scenario. As they are a multi national company there will be a policy in use and this would also be inclusive of any Blackberry or smart phone.

I think you are in the milder end of the scale as you have not divulged any data via email nor have you ranted or rubbished the company to an outside source that could have an adverse effect.

What is important here is what you wrote, that way we can all gauge whats what

Sorry, I have to disagree - it is not just about what he wrote. It is also about when he wrote it. Even if there were no IT policy at all (and I very much doubt that is the case given the nature of the employer), if he was sending e-mails of the most innocuous but personal nature during working time then he was not working. That is a disciplinary offence in itself. I see little point in the OP telling anyone here what he wrote (other than for prurient interest) because what we think of the e-mails isn't relevant - it is what the employer thinks about them that will matter.