Would you call a grievance meeting for this?

kelly_borntoshop

Ask your supervisor to call you in future should he/she need you, note that request in your diary.

Up to you but you could always give him/her your mobile number whilst asking?

Mrs-Robinson

SuzyZ wrote: »

Who exactly is your main boss here? Or manager? Seems boss and HR tell you one thing but over ride Supervisor.

My main boss is THE boss. The guy i called today. I can't give actual names out. When i say supervisor/manager i mean my immediate boss - my line manager, the guy i'm supposed to go to immediately.

When i say HR, well that's the people relations person we have on site.

When i say boss - that's the string puller, the one who owns the company. There's two of them actually, but they sing from the same hymn sheet.

As for overriding - i'm not sure what happens there. My supervisor seems to get his wires crossed quite a LOT. As said in my initial post, it's not the first time he's actually MADE SOMETHING UP. I've busted him on well more than one occasion. Unfortunately i can't physically prove this, so it's a waste of time me mentioning that. The most recent being only yesterday where he said the boss accused me of something. FFWD a bit after an argument & he said the boss never said it like that & that it must've been him (supervisor) phrasing it wrong - he apologised. This is a bad habit he has.

As HR and boss I'm guessing gave you final warning (what for by the way?)

They did. It was an unrelated matter which i'd rather not put on here tbh. No offence but i don't see how it'd help.

then you take orders re your Rota from them.

I do. Years ago i had a warning (no i'v enot had a load of them despite it seeming like it now) for not following my supervisors orders, so my instruction was to follow all reasonable requests from my supervisor.
If my boss says on Weds that i'm off, but my supervisor (in theory) was to say on Friday i'm in, then i would take it as they have used him to pass on a message of a change & that i should follow the order. Failure to do so will be disciplinary time.
So the way i see it - i should follow the most recent order from a manager - be it my line manager or the boss.

Funky_Bold_Ribena wrote: »

a - your co-worker should tell the supervisor that if they want to contact you, to call you themselves.

I know what you're saying & i'm not being argumentative, but what they/we should do & what we think is right are 2 different things. Nobody wants to risk a warning for not following a reasonable request. The only way we dare not follow an order would be if it was for example, jump off that building there.

No way should a member of staff contact another member of staff to tell them to
be in when they are not in - that's what the 'supervise' in 'supervisor' means.

I've told the co-worker this now. Thanks.

b - if you are being asked to come in by your supervisor directly, then why is their manager and HR over-ruling them? Are they not reading who should be in or not in from some rota?

I have no idea & this is the basis of my thread ...... why has today happened the way it has? Why is supervisor saying i should've been in when he was instructed otherwise? Did he have an instruction from someone? Was he just trying to cause trouble? Is there another reason?

This is the reason i am asking should i raise a grievance or not - to find out why today happened & how to stop it happening again.

As if i just go & see management/HR informally, i feel they'll brush it under the carpet or tell me to go away.

SuzyZ

Mrs-Robinson wrote: »

There's a long backup story with this so i'll post the jist first & then quote the background story for those who wish for more detail.

JIST: I'm on a final warning so can't put another foot wrong. Years ago i was also signed off work for stress as people were making stories up about me (unfortunately you'll only ever get my version i'm aware). After i was signed off this virtually stopped.

We work weekends on a rota system. It's not set in stone, but this weekend i was down to be OFF. My supervisor was going mad at a co-worker for my mobile number as he said i should've been working.
Cue me basically crapping myself big time that i'm now going to lose my job. I call the boss direct who says i'm off work & doesn't know what i'm calling about & why i've been told this.

It's not the first time my supervisor has made things up (unfortunately i can't prove this, so waste of time there). I want to be taken seriously about this but feel without a grievance hearing it'll be brushed under the carpet. I want to know what they'll do about it & why it happened. I don't want it happening again. I'm not so much as mad at my supervisor, just confused as to why this happened.

I'm aware that just ignoring this whole thing is an option, but I don't fancy crapping myself every other week!! I know life isn't fair, but why should i go through that?

BACKGROUND STORY:

Two more questions.

Are you in a union?

How long have you been working there?

SuzyZ

Mrs-Robinson wrote: »

My main boss is THE boss. The guy i called today. I can't give actual names out. When i say supervisor/manager i mean my immediate boss - my line manager, the guy i'm supposed to go to immediately.

When i say HR, well that's the people relations person we have on site.

When i say boss - that's the string puller, the one who owns the company. There's two of them actually, but they sing from the same hymn sheet.

As for overriding - i'm not sure what happens there. My supervisor seems to get his wires crossed quite a LOT. As said in my initial post, it's not the first time he's actually MADE SOMETHING UP. I've busted him on well more than one occasion. Unfortunately i can't physically prove this, so it's a waste of time me mentioning that. The most recent being only yesterday where he said the boss accused me of something. FFWD a bit after an argument & he said the boss never said it like that & that it must've been him (supervisor) phrasing it wrong - he apologised. This is a bad habit he has.

They did. It was an unrelated matter which i'd rather not put on here tbh. No offence but i don't see how it'd help. I do. Years ago i had a warning (no i'v enot had a load of them despite it seeming like it now) for not following my supervisors orders, so my instruction was to follow all reasonable requests from my supervisor.
If my boss says on Weds that i'm off, but my supervisor (in theory) was to say on Friday i'm in, then i would take it as they have used him to pass on a message of a change & that i should follow the order. Failure to do so will be disciplinary time.
So the way i see it - i should follow the most recent order from a manager - be it my line manager or the boss.

I know what you're saying & i'm not being argumentative, but what they/we should do & what we think is right are 2 different things. Nobody wants to risk a warning for not following a reasonable request. The only way we dare not follow an order would be if it was for example, jump off that building there. I've told the co-worker this now. Thanks.


I have no idea & this is the basis of my thread ...... why has today happened the way it has? Why is supervisor saying i should've been in when he was instructed otherwise? Did he have an instruction from someone? Was he just trying to cause trouble? Is there another reason?

This is the reason i am asking should i raise a grievance or not - to find out why today happened & how to stop it happening again.

As if i just go & see management/HR informally, i feel they'll brush it under the carpet or tell me to go away.

Thanks makes it more clear. Sorry but say you want CLEAR instructions in writing and ask them to make it clear who gives you instructions, it seems very confusing from here.

Otherwise to my eyes you'd get confused again. Over who tells you to do what when.

Mrs-Robinson

SuzyZ wrote: »

[/COLOR]
Ah didn't see this. Well I'd ask for more notice not Friday night.

We would all love more notice but unfortunately that wont happen. No offence, but this side of things is drifting a bit off topic, however to answer it - it's THE BOSS who says we'll find out last minute & believe me - there's no way you'll ever change his mind!

Funky_Bold_Ribena wrote: »

So you only panicked when your co-worker contacted you? You supervisor hasn't contacted you at all? And the Management AND HR have both confirmed that you are not in this weekend?

Correct. I get the impression that you've omitted "so what's the problem then".
This is what i'm concerned about - brushing under the carpet. Co worker has told me this evening that my supervisor kept on at them constantly - telling them to call me, text me. Have they done it yet? Do it now. Give me the number, is this the number, call them, text them, each time getting more & more angry.

Ificansocanyou wrote: »

Presumably then, your colleague called you stirring.

That is my guess - the only explanation i can think of, but i concede there may be OTHER reasons i haven't figured out.

This is why i ask should i raise a grievance or not - as i don't know why this happened.

Perhaps they get all the overtime if you're sacked?

There would be more overtime (i would imagine), though i could be wrong.

However, if by "colleague" you mean my co-worker & not my supervisor then you're 100% wrong (no offence).

Mrs-Robinson

SuzyZ wrote: »

Two more questions.

Are you in a union?

How long have you been working there?

Yes
10 years

SuzyZ wrote: »

Thanks makes it more clear. Sorry but say you want CLEAR instructions in writing and ask them to make it clear who gives you instructions,.

I know i'm not making it very easy, but i remember the last time i asked management for something in writing. Management being the bosses.

You'd think i'd just insulted their mother.

kelly_borntoshop

I wouldnt raise a grievance. 99% of the time they are disagreed with and you might come off looking like a trouble maker, after that they might find a reason to finally fire you.

I'd just keep a little diary in my pocket, pull it out and make little notes ;-)

and i'd definately be looking for another job...

Mrs-Robinson

On that note then - would you bring it to the attention of HR sort of informally - explain that i was contacted Saturday morning saying i should be in, but no idea why this would've happened.

Or would you just totally leave it?

I know you say look for another job, but in this day & age that could be tomorrow, but it could also be next year or more. In the meantime - things like this are not uncommon.

kelly_borntoshop

Mrs-Robinson wrote: »

On that note then - would you bring it to the attention of HR sort of informally - explain that i was contacted Saturday morning saying i should be in, but no idea why this would've happened.

Or would you just totally leave it?

I know you say look for another job, but in this day & age that could be tomorrow, but it could also be next year or more. In the meantime - things like this are not uncommon.

I would just totally leave it. If it's brought up apologise for crossed wires and leave it there.

However it would definately be the start of my diary. The diary I think will not only give you back up and clarity, it will also act as little wall of protection (from the vulnerbility you feel being on your final warning).

If you are actively seen to be taking notes as to your shifts and instructions then any supervisor or colleague won't be as hasty to make you the scapegoat - who knows whats in that little book!!

Don't make it as obvious when noting instructions as when noting shifts. When given an instruction your not sure about kind of go away but allow it to be seen that you are taking notes (if you know what I mean). Don't want to get anyones back up by shoving it in their face - just want to be seen to know what your doing!

If anyone asks - Its so that you don't forget anything!!

Mrs-Robinson

I know what you're saying.

However let me just say this...

The union advised i kept a diary after i told them i FELT i was being singled out for special treatment years ago by this very person (we generally get along these days, but there are moments, usually through childishness, but don't want to get too much into that)

I noted over the period of 2 years. Dates, times, who was there if anyone was, what was said.

It's the only time i've ever called a grievance, but after 2 years i called it on this person for bullying.

They investigated. Final decision - no action taken due to lack of evidence. Basically my little diary was worthless, despite it being true.

On the rare occasions that someone was present - when questioned they'd either 1) forgotten as it wasn't important to them 2) suddenly forgotten (as in don't want to get involved) 3) couldn't comment as to whether it happened or not.

This boiled down to my word against his - no evidence.

So my previous experience of keeping a diary is it's worthless as even when you're telling the truth, it doesn't matter.

I'm not knocking your advice as it's probably what i'd tell others in the same situation. I'm just saying i don't have a good record with the diary being effective.