Suspended from work please help

DVardysShadow

SarEl wrote: »

Sorry - but I absolutely would not agree. The OP lied - even if it was by ommission. By all means speak to the union and tell the truth to them so they can advise you. But it is very simple. They asked you questions and you did not tell the truth (or the whole truth - the differnnce is slight). If they find out the whole truth then you are screwed. Would you believe someone who had a chance to tell the truth, said they would and were happy with the people there - and later said the opposite only after being caught lying??? Does anyone actually think an employer is going to believe anything but the worst if they catch an employee in a lie during an investigatory meeting? I know that "legally" suspension is a neutral act and blah, blah blah - and the entire world knows that suspension means that they are investigating something that they take very seriously and may result in you being dismissed. Is this going to help your "financial difficulties"? I doubt it. You are quite possibly on a one shot for saving your job. Whatever they have accused you of, I notice you are not screaming your innocence from the heavens... Do not compound whatever stupidity you may have committed with lying about it - or being economical with the truth. You stand in much greater danger than your OH finding out the truth. She, at least, may forgive you eventually...

All very well. But this does not give a way forward.

I would suggest take advice from the union and consider having another meeting with management with a union official present, stating that OP felt unhappy about discussing in front of the note taker because of the domestic angle.

Not a good place to be, better to have objected to the note taker in the meeting, but now we are on to damage limitation.

SarEl

DVardysShadow wrote: »

All very well. But this does not give a way forward.

I would suggest take advice from the union and consider having another meeting with management with a union official present, stating that OP felt unhappy about discussing in front of the note taker because of the domestic angle.

Not a good place to be, better to have objected to the note taker in the meeting, but now we are on to damage limitation.

I indicated the way forward in post #7 - go back and tell the truth before they find out.

And there is no right to have a union rep present at an investigatory meeting. Management may agree to a union attending such a meeting - they do not have to.

DVardysShadow

SarEl wrote: »

I indicated the way forward in post #7 - go back and tell the truth before they find out.

And there is no right to have a union rep present at an investigatory meeting. Management may agree to a union attending such a meeting - they do not have to.

At the very least, going back and stating the discomfort with the note taker should be done with the union rep. Regardless of whether the investigatory phase is reopened or the union official admitted.

MikeTee

Would it in your opinion by wise to confirm that I didn't appreciate the full seriousness of the meeting which resulted in me being suspended. The meeting was called to discuss the position but did not in any way suggest it could result in suspension, although I am not sure whether they needed to state that fact at the outset. However had they done I would have requested a change in the note taker and not made ommisions

Thanks fr your help so far everyone

MikeTee

Hi all I'm still in a quandry about what to do re my post directly above has anyone any thoughts? As an update I'm waiting for my union to call me back.

Thanks

McKneff

All I can suggest is wait till your union rep rings you and take it from there
Your comments in post 15 seem like common sense but wait for the phone call.
Good luck

ohreally

Do nothing for the time being. Wait on TU getting back to you.

Were you informed of the purpose of the original meeting? The meeting should either have been to inform you of suspension or it was the start of the investigation process - not both.

MikeTee

I received an email request saying I needed to attend the meeting entitled "go through working time, hours owed" with the content being

"although we have had recent informal discussions regarding your working time, I need to go through it with you more formally so you can understand all the concerns.

At the very end of the meeting I was informed that I was suspended for 2 weeks while they do further investigations.

SarEl

They do not have to inform you that the meeting may lead to suspension - in fact they may not know that until they have your answers to their questions.

ohreally

Perhaps were going to agree to disagree on this one as well then.

To do as i suspect you're suggesting, simply puts the employee in the predicament of being interviewed (lets assume) without support/ representation present, and management going on a fishing expedition with little or no facts, while the employee builds their case for them through poor procedural understanding.

OP, please be aware that the purpose of the investigation may not be to establish fact but to build a case against you which may result in your dismissal, (disciplinary outcome permitting).