Colleague issue

Sambucus_Nigra

ceridwen wrote: »

Any speculation as to how HR are handling this is not constructive and as for conspiracy theories - Pftttt....(ie ignore them).

Agreed - most people who have no interest in how people work - feel free to bury heads in sand. For me - I like to look at how things work and that includes office politics. It's always important [to some of us] how things are handled and how people react.

I find the issue of not telling the OP to keep schtum quite amazing.

Just because you don't understand how people tick, is not my issue.

[You have to speculate to accumulate - them's the rules].

ceridwen

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Agreed - most people who have no interest in how people work - feel free to bury heads in sand. For me - I like to look at how things work and that includes office politics. It's always important [to some of us] how things are handled and how people react.

I find the issue of not telling the OP to keep schtum quite amazing.

Just because you don't understand how people tick, is not my issue.

[You have to speculate to accumulate - them's the rules].

I think O.P. is quite capable of working out for herself that its best to say nowt till this is all resolved.

As for workplace politics - I think my work colleagues would all soon inform you I have quite obviously worked out VERY WELL how they operate;):rotfl::rotfl:

MrRedundant

An interesting thread and one with so many aspects.

First point. At this stage what HR, he and the organisation are faced with is allegations and allegations with very little evidence or proof. It is important that neither party is treated unfairly even him. My personal opinion would have not suspended only him as it is despite the "neutruel" act argument anything but in reality. He now looks guilty to the office and looks that you are innocent. Please note I am not saying this isnt the case. It just looks pretty devastating for him. My view would be that both of you would be treated the same and asked to stay away until HR commenced the investigation and suspended him formally if the initial investigation suggested discliplinary would be required

Second point - I would be concerned that you have been discussing this with anyone in the office as it looks loaded. He probably now has a grievance as well that you are bullying him. From your point of view your allegations are your word against his; any he makes are substantiated.

Thirdly - Employment law has a different burden from criminal law. The police would investigate but its unlikely to go further.

Finally my view is that it will be very hard for the employer to deal with now. The exposure accidentally is probably thrown out by the e-mails and they will probably be able to take this forward and dismiss. That said your e-mails back and forward cloud the waters and If I was you I would be waiting for action to be considered against me personally too.

This is based on what you have said. It may be you have omitted some facts that will change this.

Sambucus_Nigra

ceridwen wrote: »

I think O.P. is quite capable of working out for herself that its best to say nowt till this is all resolved.

I think you are missing the [quite vital] point.

In that HR need to put a cap on it.

Whether the OP is capable of working that out is neither here nor there...esp as HR have not had a discussion and have not specifically requested the OP not to say anything. It's actually their role to manage a situation like this, it should not be left up to the OP to wonder what's going on.

Anyhow - I'm sure tomorrow they will swoop and get it all sorted out.

ceridwen

For right now - O.P. has had to summon up a lot of courage to report the guy in the first place.

I am inclined to think the most constructive attitude right now is "Say nowt - and take it one step at a time" for her.

I think it doesnt help to think - well they may do this OR they may do that.

We dont know and I doubt we will till after Christmas now.

gwen80

Again, I've only skimmed, so need to read back thoroughly, but I am keeping this information confidential and I had this status confirmed by HR with my investigation meeting today.

Secondly, I have heard no talk in the office of him being 'suspended'. From what I can gather, people are only aware that he is not in work. As it is the run up to Christmas, it's not unthinkable that somebody may take leave.

Finally, whilst I have participated in some email banter, I have never made explicit sexual suggestions or commented on anybody's personal appearance. MrRedundant, I already pointed out that there is chance I could come out badly from all this. It was a chance I chose to take.

Gwenx

ceridwen

..and be sure that you made the right choice Gwen.

There will always be comments/opinions that will "knock off balance" the person in the sort of situation you are in...thats life...unfortunately.

But the gal done good (ie you did right) so far. So - so far - so good.

hippygran

I can assure you, Gwen, that the police would persue this, and that they would indeed take it very seriously.

In my case, bacause of the rather large age difference, I thought they would find it all a bit laughable (he was only a couple of years older than my son - and I was not young when I started my family).
So I put off going to the police for over a week.

They were wonderful, the (originally male) officer who I spoke to initially was really good, then the WPC was also brilliant.
I was constantly assured that I had taken the right step, as the police firmly hold the opinion that without intervention this type of behaviour will almost certainly esculate.

MrRedundant: Far from it not going further, the perpetrator in my case, has ended up on the sex offenders register, and so will never be in the position where he will be able to bully people in this way again (ie be some poor girls manager!), assuming that companies check criminal records.

In my opinion if a company fails to do this, then they are being negligent. Certainly most companies which require any amount of cash handling, would do a CRB check before employing anyone.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

hippygran wrote: »

MrRedundant: Far from it not going further, the perpetrator in my case, has ended up on the sex offenders register, and so will never be in the position where he will be able to bully people in this way again (ie be some poor girls manager!), assuming that companies check criminal records.

In my opinion if a company fails to do this, then they are being negligent. Certainly most companies which require any amount of cash handling, would do a CRB check before employing anyone.

Ever heard of the Rehabilitation Of Offenders Act?

Most companies do not CRB check by the way & really do not have the need to.

Sambucus_Nigra

ceridwen wrote: »

There will always be comments/opinions that will "knock off balance" the person in the sort of situation you are in...thats life...unfortunately.

Oh give it a rest luv.