Help on gross misconduct

jennie-85

Basically, last Thursday, me and 3 other members off staff we're called in separately without warning to a meeting with the Director of our Company. He asked us if we were familiar with our email and internet abuse policy which I confirmed I was. He then presented me with emails sent and received (from the 3 colleagues who had also been called in), and asked if I could explain myself. Basically the emails were discussing another member of staff and if I am honest they were nasty. I apologised and said they were nasty and horrible and out of order. He said he wasn't there to discuss whether they are morally right or wrong he is just the 'email investigator' for the email abuse.

He said that he would come back to us within 48 working hours on whether or not discipliary action would be taken which would be carried out by the Regional Operations Director.

I was off work today and 2 members of staff were called in for their follow up meetings. One was told his was 'No further action' and another was told he had commited gross misconduct for bullying and has a further meeting on Thursday.

Now I am worried for my job. I have never been in trouble there before so will this go in my favour. Is it bullying of the other person does not know what was said?

Any advice would be appreciated.

DUTR

Bullying is serious, email and internet abuse is serious, sending jokes etc on the comapny systems is rarely tolerated anywhere, but it is not up to the IT guy it will be up to the directors etc, the IT guy just has to report it.
If you don't get dismissed then learn from the episode bullying is for losers!

bengalknights

I would agree with DUTR always remember that a nothing at work is private if need be most companies could access all your data browsing history etc if they wished.

You may be lucky and just get a written warning depending on how bad your emails are perceived.

Foggster

What is the difference between the comments made by the person who has "no further action" and the comments made by the person who will be receiving another meeting? In your opinion, are your comments closer to the first person or the second?

Googlewhacker

DUTR wrote: »

Bullying is serious, email and internet abuse is serious, sending jokes etc on the comapny systems is rarely tolerated anywhere, but it is not up to the IT guy it will be up to the directors etc, the IT guy just has to report it.
If you don't get dismissed then learn from the episode bullying is for losers!

lol that last bit reminded me of a safety campaign from the 80's

jennie-85

In my opinion both persons were just as bad but mine and the person who has been told it's gross misconduct have more emails between us. When I say more emails though, they have only printed off a selection. If they looked into more there would be many more employees and lots more emails from all parties I would have thought! The gross misconduct person has been in trouble before for a similar matter I believe whereas I never have!!

DUTR

jennie-85 wrote: »

In my opinion both persons were just as bad but mine and the person who has been told it's gross misconduct have more emails between us. When I say more emails though, they have only printed off a selection. If they looked into more there would be many more employees and lots more emails from all parties I would have thought! The gross misconduct person has been in trouble before for a similar matter I believe whereas I never have!!

When our internal investigators had a trawl, many were suspended, some didn't come back and were of previous clean character, so for now I wouldn't become too complacent until such time the management have decided if there is indeed a case for you to answer

FattyBettyBoo

My sister had something similar happen at her work. Those for who it was a first offence got either a verbal or written warning, and those who had previous disiplinaries were dismissed.

i'm not saying this is the case with your work but it seems that many public sector organisations and private companies are implementing their IT policies far more stricty now bugets are tightening - a lot cheaper than redundancies!

DizzleUK

Regardless of who else was involved, it is your participation that is under the spotlight and that's all you need concern yourself with. If you are guilty (regardless of whether the others are or not) you could end up out of a job. If you are lucky, again assuming you are guilty, you might get away with a formal warning.

And yes, it is still bullying if the subject is unaware it is happening.

If you are guilty and you lose your job, I'm afraid I have little sympathy for you. However, I trust (guilty or not) you will learn from the situation and won't find yourself in this postion again.

jennie-85

Thanks Dizzle, I know I am in the wrong and I am not looking for sympathy in this. I know it was a stupid, horrible thing to do and I work hard at my job and I am good at it. I made a stupid mistake and I am just looking for advice before I am back at work tomorrow.

hcb42

you will need to show some genuine remorse, and you might get off with a slightly lighter result..e.g final warning not dismissal etc.