Attacked at work - now a cover up.

Windmill

too much information

SarEl

I don't see that you have any choice. You cannot refuse to go to work. Well you can - but you will be dismissed. There is no reason to suppose that this will happen again, but if you don't want to go back then it would seem sensible to resign rather than wait to be dismissed.

Emmzi

As SarEl says.

What kind of support were you hoping they would offer? Have you asked for it?

whitewing

I am not surprised you are scared. Who actually views the CCTV? Is it monitored all the time or mainly viewed after an incident? Could you see security and ask if they can keep a closer eye on you.

Maybe you could also speak to Victim Support (horrible name). They may have some ideas of how to make you feel safer.

I do think you have to make a decision about leaving your job or not, but as you have been there six years, it would be a shame to leave. Would you feel safer anywhere else? (Having said that, leaving may be the right decision for you but talk it over first with someone who understands).

EMDR therapy is supposed to be good for people who have had a traumatic experience. Maybe see if work will pay for a session or two of that.

Brodie_mummy

Surely they should have offered you counselling also if you feel that badly stressed you should seek a doctors line then they cannot order you back to work or dismiss you .
Hopefully everything works out ok for you.

anamenottaken

Brodie_mummy wrote: »

Surely they should have offered you counselling also if you feel that badly stressed you should seek a doctors line then they cannot order you back to work or dismiss you .
Hopefully everything works out ok for you.

There isn't a right not to be dismissed when you have a sick note from a doctor.

dickydonkin

Windmill wrote: »

I work as a cleaner in the housekeeping department for a large hotel group. I've been there 6 years.

Last month, I came across someone that I now know was trying to steal a tv. I didn't play the hero but asked them what they were doing, thinking it may be a contractor doing work with it. For my troubles another person hit me from behind over the head and knocked me out. I was also attacked while I was down as I have all the bruises still .I was took to hospital and let out later that day. I took the rest of the week off and then went back to work the next week. The Police were called at the time but did not catch them.

I found out from maintenance that the robbers had used a master key that opened all the locks. The key was took from an open safe in the GM's office. As the all the locks are electric it registers when and who opens each door. They also told me that they had come back and opened doors the same week I returned to work. They also told me that they had various emails from the GM concerning thefts and to get quotes to fix the cctv and tighten security up in other places. The Police have said it's an inside job.

(I know there is a lot of "they" above but I get on really well with maintenance and they are disgusted it happened)

I have spoken to the GM who insisted that there had been no thefts at all and they had no idea how a master key was used.I told the GM I'm in fear it will happen again and was scared and left work.

Work have since then told me I need to come back. What do I do? I don't want to go back and get hurt again and it is really stressing me out

I would certainly ask your employer what additional precautions are being put into place to avoid a repetition. You - or indeed anyobody should not have to go to work in fear of being attacked or injured.

In the type of work you do, there should be a lone working policy and this should identify the procedures that are in place to protect you and your staff - this may now need to be reviewed.

Explain that you do wish to return to work - but you are (understandably) still concerned. Hopefully they will be able to reassure you.
Good luck!

ohreally

Ensure the incident is documented.

Contact DWP and ask this to be recorded and make an accident declaration, DWP will write to the employer asking for their input, so ensure its recorded.

Inform the employer you need assurances that adequate support mechanisms are put in place to safeguard your wellbeing and minimise a repetition from occurring.


Were you off sick or did you take annual leave?


ETA: Note pg 2 re non-consensual acts of violence http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cais18.pdf. Your manager needs to act and now.

dickydonkin

ohreally wrote: »

Ensure the incident is documented.

Contact DWP and ask this to be recorded and make an accident declaration, DWP will write to the employer asking for their input, so ensure its recorded.

Inform the employer you need assurances that adequate support mechanisms are put in place to safeguard your wellbeing and minimise a repetition from occurring.


Were you off sick or did you take annual leave?


ETA: Note pg 2 re non-consensual acts of violence http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cais18.pdf. Your manager needs to act and now.

This should have been reported online to the HSE's incident contact centre within 10 days of the incident occurring.

If the above quote is alluding to an 'over three day injury' in respect of RIDDOR - it is totally irrelevant whether the employee took leave or was off work because of the injury.

If the injured person was unable to undertake her normal duties for three days (excluding the day of the injury) then the incident would be deemed as reportable - even if the injured person was not due to be at work on those days.

In any case - as the OP was knocked unconscious - this would automatically require the incident to be reported.

ohreally

dickydonkin wrote: »

If the above quote is alluding to an 'over three day injury' in respect of RIDDOR - it is totally irrelevant whether the employee took leave or was off work because of the injury.

I fail to see the point your attempting to make. I alluded to nothing but was implicit re non-consensual act of violence experienced at work.

I made no reference to over three day injury in any way shape or form.

EconomicsGirl

I'm so sorry for what you've been through and can understand you being scared.

If you feel unable to go back to work I would go to a doctor and get signed off from work - they may also be able to refer you to a therapist if you feel this would help. You can get dismissed whilst being off sick but you would also be within your rights to get a legal firm to pursue a personal injury claim against your work for failure in their duty of care to you, there is a time limit on this though. I normally don't agree with this but it seems your employer is doing nothing to help you and it was clearly an inside job. Another thing to consider is, is there anyway you would feel safe working there again e.g. could you clean at a time other people are there or clean with another cleaner and then propose this to the employer. Personally if they can't ensure your safety I'ld ultimately leave.