Just been dismissed for Gross Misconduct :(

PupPup

I got dismissed yesterday for gross misconduct.

Now, basically I did commit gross misconduct - on 8 occasions I went home early and declared otherwise on my timesheet. I was found out because we swipe around the building and so they checked my swipes and found they were different to my forms.

I have Asperger's Syndrome and severe depression (made worse by the job) and the manager has had it in for me from the beginning. He's been waiting for an excuse to get rid of me and sadly, I gave him a reason

My mitigating circumstances seem to have been ignored and other staff have been asleep on duty (also gross misconduct) and gone early/come in late with no punishment. I feel that the decision to dismiss me was made before the disciplinary procedure was initiated, and that it was dragged out over the best part of a month in order to increase my distress.

I can't go into further details because of the employer and having signed certain documents preventing me from doing so. I have written a letter of appeal, but in honesty I don't really want to go back to the job after the way they've treated me.

My main problems are that I have debts (appointment to see CAP on 18/10/12) and rent to pay. I live alone in a 2-bed flat, so sadly HB and Council Tax Benefit won't cover everything and I don't think I can get JSA for 6 months as I was dismissed for GM. I have nowhere to go and am going to end up homeless

I had an interview for a job last Friday, but because of the security clearance required, it's likely I won't get it now because of this incident.

Does anyone know anything I can do? I'm already applying for every job I'm capable of doing and putting in my appeal, but is there anything else I can do? I may get up to 2 more pay packets, but once this runs out I'll have no income and no way of staying in my home.

I'm trying hard not to fall back into a fit of depression, but holding it together is difficult right now and I don't know where else I can turn.

Thanks if anyone has any advice, or even just replies so I know I'm not alone :')

PupPup

HurdyGurdy

I think the usual first question that gets asked when people post this kind of question is "how long have you worked there", followed by "are you in a union".

PupPup wrote: »

I got dismissed yesterday for gross misconduct.

Now, basically I did commit gross misconduct - on 8 occasions I went home early and declared otherwise on my timesheet. I was found out because we swipe around the building and so they checked my swipes and found they were different to my forms.

I have Asperger's Syndrome and severe depression (made worse by the job) and the manager has had it in for me from the beginning. He's been waiting for an excuse to get rid of me and sadly, I gave him a reason

My mitigating circumstances seem to have been ignored and other staff have been asleep on duty (also gross misconduct) and gone early/come in late with no punishment. I feel that the decision to dismiss me was made before the disciplinary procedure was initiated, and that it was dragged out over the best part of a month in order to increase my distress.

I can't go into further details because of the employer and having signed certain documents preventing me from doing so. I have written a letter of appeal, but in honesty I don't really want to go back to the job after the way they've treated me.

My main problems are that I have debts (appointment to see CAP on 18/10/12) and rent to pay. I live alone in a 2-bed flat, so sadly HB and Council Tax Benefit won't cover everything and I don't think I can get JSA for 6 months as I was dismissed for GM. I have nowhere to go and am going to end up homeless

I had an interview for a job last Friday, but because of the security clearance required, it's likely I won't get it now because of this incident.

Does anyone know anything I can do? I'm already applying for every job I'm capable of doing and putting in my appeal, but is there anything else I can do? I may get up to 2 more pay packets, but once this runs out I'll have no income and no way of staying in my home.

I'm trying hard not to fall back into a fit of depression, but holding it together is difficult right now and I don't know where else I can turn.

Thanks if anyone has any advice, or even just replies so I know I'm not alone :')

PupPup

PupPup

I'm not in a union and I had been working there since February 2011, so 17 months I think that is?

PupPup

Torry_Quine

You can apply and indeed should for JSA right away. They will ask how the job ended and contact the employer to see if the accounts agree. they can sanction for up to 26 weeks but while investigating you will receive JSA.

You will probably only be paid until the date you were sacked ie yesterday.

persa

PupPup wrote: »

I'm not in a union and I had been working there since February 2011, so 17 months I think that is?

PupPup

Well, you'll have basic employment rights, which includes not getting fired for no reason whatsoever, but your employer has given you a reason and it does sound like gross misconduct.

Do you have any friends or family who could you help you out, even if they don't live nearby? If you're facing homelessness and it's just you on your own, couch surfing with friends in a completely different town isn't as crazy an idea as it might be for a parent with 3 kids.

elsien

There is some advice here on what to do if you do get sanctioned - you could try contacting them beforehand for advice.
http://www.goodadvicematters.co.uk/index.php/jsa/the-nasty-world-of-the-jsa-sanction/
Also if your immediate concern is more about how you are going to manage, you might get more responses by posting on the benefits bit of the forum.

blossomhill_2

PupPup wrote: »

I live alone in a 2-bed flat, so sadly HB and Council Tax Benefit won't cover everything and I don't think I can get JSA for 6 months as I was dismissed for GM. I have nowhere to go and am going to end up homeless

Sorry to hear about your problems PupPup, you say you live in a 2-bed flat - is there any chance of downsizing to a one-bed, a studio or even a bedsit in someone else's house for a lower rent? I know being jobless might be a bit of a barrier to taking on a new place but it may be something to look into

Are you getting any support for your Asperger's ?

PupPup

Sadly I don't have any friends and my family can't do anything much to help.
I've been stupid and done a stupid thing, but I thought apologising and making up the hours would be enough for them to just give me a final warning instead of instant dismissal.
As I say, I can't give too much detail, but I've been intimidated by the manager & other cleaners, mostly around my mental health issues. But there's no evidence except my word. My main problem is how I'll find any new workand what I can do I the meantime.
Thank you all for your help
PupPup

Ps. Sorry for any dodgy formatting, on phone now.

somethingcorporate

I cannot see this being recommended above but could you rent out a room?

May not be ideal but in the short term if you take in a lodger it may help cover your costs.

PupPup

@BlossomHill

I have been looking to move before this happened, as my rent was too high for what I was earning, but as I've got no savings I need the deposit from this flat to put down on another.
There is a slight chance that I may be able to move in with my grandmother for a short period, but it's not a definite. Also my contract is until April, so i think that I'm legally liable for rent until then or until a replacement tenant is found.
I don't get support for Asperger's atm, but it's something I'm working on with my GP.
PupPup

PupPup

somethingcorporate wrote: »

I cannot see this being recommended above but could you rent out a room?

May not be ideal but in the short term if you take in a lodger it may help cover your costs.

The two issues with this are permission from the landlord and the difficulty in obtaining contents insurance (have shared with non-relative/non-partner before & had problems). Also my mental state and autism make it hard for me to want to share with a stranger. But thanks for the advice
PupPup