Disciplinary Hearing - any thoughts?

katielouisemc

I'll try and keep this short and sweet:

My OH had problems with his new work boots hurting his feet but was refused new ones without a doctors note (couldn't get one - another story!). They also wouldn't let him wear his own that he bought. As a result he got sent home from work due to limping. His manager told him to see a podiatrist which he did and he was told he has nerve damage in his foot - basically the boots were too wide and too long for the size they were. The podiatrist wrote a letter to his employer and this is where the problems started.

The podiatrist put in the report that my OH had had the problem for 6 MONTHS instead of 6 WEEKS. The employer immediately picked up on it and my OH was hauled in for an investigation and told he faced a disciplinary hearing for gross misconduct! They said he failed to disclose the problem when he accepted the job which is 100% untrue but that was their opinion. My OH contacted his podiatrist and he sent an 'amended' letter correcting the mistake. He also attended an appointment with the company's occupational health who obviously couldn't say when the problem started but agreed with the diagnosis.

He went in for the investigation meeting today and was told the following:

The amended letter still said 6 months (incompetent or what?)
The occupational health from the company did not say the problem's been going on for 6 months - couldn't clarify
The podiatrist VERBALLY confirmed to the guy holding the investigation that it should have said 6 WEEKS.
They refused to answer why they hadn't looked at his medical records despite having permission

However.. despite this he was then told that they were forwarding him to a disciplinary because, and I'm quoting directly, they think my OH is lying. They've now suspended him and had him escorted from the premises until the disciplinary hearing next week. We're going to obtain his medical records which will show that he's never had medical attention for this problem and that the first instance was after he started working.

Surely the evidence they've obtained so far goes in my OH's favour - I don't understand why he's being put through this? If he's found 'guilty' so to speak he'll lose his job on the spot.

Anyone got any thoughts or advice?

hcb42

he needs to get the correct records before the hearing, preferably with a confirmation of the previous mistakes.

Heavy handed tactics, for a pair of shoes though .

katielouisemc

Yeah definitely.. I feel like it's all been blown out of proportion. If the podiatrist has spoken to the guy and admitted he made an error that should have been the end of it! Instead he was called a liar to his face - I can't believe the way they've behaved. His union rep says there's no way they could justify dismissing him, if they do he can appeal it but if the appeal is unsuccessful he can't even go for unfair dismissal because he's not worked for them for long enough. Complete and utter farce!!

Emmzi

I think this was discussed fairly thoroughly here

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3330382

what new questions do you have specifically so we can help?

katielouisemc

Right.. apologies, forgot about that post. I'll keep everything in that thread instead.