Suspended pending dismissal for Gross Misconduct **UPDATE**

usa1

I am sorry.
I didn't like the sound of your old workplace.

123helpme123

Thanks for the comments guys. I won't be appealing. More down to the fact I can get along 'ok' on just my partners income, albeit very budgeted. I also actually don't want to work for them anymore. If they had have given me a warning I had already personally made the choice to resign anyway.

I'm pretty disgusted that after 3 1/2 years they have actually sacked me by letter. They have a bad reputation in the sector there in, now I see why!

My now Ex-line manager (the nice one that although has been kept out of it all, but still been supportive) has called me and asked me to go for lunch with him Thursday to talk about it. He mentioned something about other people he would be happy to recommend me too for work. I also have a feeling I may be able to get him to agree what sort of reference he'll be giving me. Therefore honesty is the best policy, but he can then push my other skills forward too l. I'm pretty confident the reference won't be a complete pile of sh*t assuming it comes from him.

I asked HR what they would list in a reference. They said they would only put dates and that I was dismissed. So again, 3 1/2 years for that. The HR lady's words were 'if they call us, we'll tell them everything'. She was clearly implying I would lie! Ah well!

Feel much more positive and... Free!

Yes I'm now broke, but heck, I'm smiling for the first time in months!

Thanks for all the support x

jobbingmusician

Firstly I'd like to thank you for the tone of your thread throughout - it really does sound as if you made a genuine mistake, or wrong turn in life, and have learnt from it. I just wanted to comment on a couple of things you said, in the help it might help you to see another side of things, which might actually help you to feel a tiny bit better.

Firstly, you said

123helpme123 wrote: »

I'm pretty disgusted that after 3 1/2 years they have actually sacked me by letter. They have a bad reputation in the sector there in, now I see why!

Actually, although I know it feels dreadful, from the POV of fairness and good practice this is the BEST thing they could have done. What they SHOULDN'T have done is to come to an immediate decision after your hearing. What they HAVE done is demonstrated that they really took time to think about the hearing rather than doing anything in an inconsidered way. So, sadly, leaving you hanging on for a decision is the best thing they could have done.

123helpme123 wrote: »

!

My now Ex-line manager (the nice one that although has been kept out of it all, but still been supportive) has called me and asked me to go for lunch with him Thursday to talk about it. He mentioned something about other people he would be happy to recommend me too for work. I also have a feeling I may be able to get him to agree what sort of reference he'll be giving me. Therefore honesty is the best policy, but he can then push my other skills forward too l. I'm pretty confident the reference won't be a complete pile of sh*t assuming it comes from him.

The lunch is really really good news. It's the sort of thing to bring up at interviews. 'I was dismissed because I made a mistake, but left on very good terms and actually had lunch with my manager after I left, to discuss my future'. Be aware, however, that HR might insist on writing the reference.

123helpme123 wrote: »

I asked HR what they would list in a reference. They said they would only put dates and that I was dismissed. So again, 3 1/2 years for that. The HR lady's words were 'if they call us, we'll tell them everything'. She was clearly implying I would lie! Ah well!

Honestly, she might have been trying to help you. It is common practice to issue a bland reference, but for people to 'tell all' if a phone reference is taken up. I honestly wouldn't take this as implying she'd think you'd lie

You have a great attitude - do let us know when you get a lovely new job. :beer:

pinkshoes

Sounds like the dismissal could have been a blessing in disguise!

I worked for a horrible company (project work was awesome, so I tolerated the evil management) who tried to force my hours (illegally) back to full time, as they were so short staffed (due to people leaving thanks to their lousy management and poor treatment of people). They expected me to just kick up a fuss and just accept the new hours, but instead I quit and changed career.

My replacement left after 3 months, and his replacement lasted 2 days!
I guess lousy business management get their comeuppance eventually...!

I wish you the best of luck with your future career, and admire your positive outlook.

kazzah60

Op
I think your decision is sound
my hubby was dismissed by a former employer the reason given was
" conduct "
yes- conduct- not gross misconduct - just conduct !!

his employer was a small charity where he had been employed for 11 months and basically he was expected to "fudge" facts to a grant provider about the success rate of the project he was managing

he refused to do this and was dismissed by the Chief executive and escorted off the premises - he was so embarrassed about it
he appealed to the trustees of the charity ( complete waste of time) and he struggled to get another job ( although his age might have been a factor as he was 55)

he began proceedings for an employment tribunal as a good friend of ours who was an employment lawyer was disgusted with the behaviour of the charity and was convinced hubby was dismissed for whistle blowing about the "fudging of reports"

they dragged the ET date out for MONTHS - even claiming at one point that the CEO was in hospital having suffered a MASSIVE stroke from which he was unlikely to recover - only for me to read his wifes facebook page to discover he had had a fairly innocuous problem with high blood pressure and they had booked a recuperative walking holiday in the south west!

the lies they told were unbelievable - BUT the reason I am telling this tale is this;
18 months after he was dismissed ( for reasons of CONDUCT!)

there was a report in our local paper that the charity was under investigation by a major grant provider ( you might have bought a ticket which contributed to their funds!) and also the local council who part funded them - all funds had been immediately withdrawn due to "discrepancies" with the monies allocation and reporting procedures

MY dear hubby felt SO vindicated - he knew they were asking him to commit fraud and when he wouldn't play ball they fired him - BUT it has all worked out for the best now- about 2 weeks after the old employer closed down - he got a great new job with a fantastic new employer and has never been happier

I wish you well - you ahve been measured in your comments - you have been honest about your shortcomings and failings - you DESERVE some good luck - and I am sure it will come your way
best of luck

123helpme123

Thanks guys

I know they have followed their procedures and done everything 'correctly', its just a horrible way to end working with several people for such a long time. Such is life!

Yes, I'll be using the lunch meet as a way to show how 'resolved' the situation is and I'm extremely confident I'll get a very good reference from him. He seemed genuinely upset when I informed him. He's also happy to assist me in finishing off an NVQ 3 I'm almost done with, so that says a lot

I've got an appointment with the Job Centre along with a call this morning about some temp work which may be available shortly. For day one of being unemployed it's looking good!

I've amended my CV to reflect myself better, updated my Linked In (I have a lot of connections so may as well use them!), got a JSA appointment, created 6 covering letters for the usual jobs I apply for which can be amended to fit. Other than registering with every recruitment agency nearby, I don't think I can do much more other than apply for everything?

I generally shy away from recruitment agencies as nothing ever seems to turn out to be quite as promised... but I shall keep an open mind!

[Deleted User]

Hope lunch went well OP and glad to see you won't be long in unemployed hell-sie!

Best moto for me , from a onetime grumpy accountant I used to make mad!! he was kind when he said this and over a decade it's seen me through

"Those that don't make mistakes are the ones who do nothing"

123helpme123

Hello all

Well - I met with my line manager for some lunch. It went really well and he has submitted his resignation and will be leaving in about 3 months, partly because he dislikes the company and also due to the way they have treated me! He also informed me that several other people in the team have resigned and also 'want out'. I don't for one second that its all down to me being dismissed, but it is rather nice that it isn't just me who they have treated so badly!

In even better news, I went for interview this morning and have got a two day trial starting in a week! Its a area I have some experience in but not a lot. I've been totally upfront and honest and they still want me!

I'm now in the process of looking for something that maybe suits my skills a little better, but at least I've secured a decent chance at a job!

In the meantime, I had my JSA meetintg who informed me that I only needed to apply for 3 jobs a week for my 'entitlement'! I'm shocked at how little you have to do to enable you to get benefits! Either way, all has turned out well so far

I also, after a discussion with my line manager. submitted an appeal to my previous employers, on the basis that their decision was too harsh given the mitigating circumstances and have asked them to review the situation. They have put themselves in a difficult position as they didn't supply me with minutes of the investigation meetings until the day of disciplinary. So ideally, I would like them to withdraw the dismissal and allow me to resign with immediate effect (obviously I haven't told them this).

So there we go! And to think its only been 4 days since I was dismissed...Who would of known! :rotfl:

I also had some real health issues all relating to stress (stomach ulcers, spot breakouts etc) which have all really died down and I've had the all clear on my stomach ulcers from the doctor too!

Thanks to every single one of you that supported me through this and gave me a bit of hope. It really kept me focused and rather than sitting and crying over spilt milk, I've focused on getting back into work and working with the reasons I was dismissed rather than focusing on them.

Once again, a massive THANKYOU!

Dovah_diva

I've read the whole thread and think you have conducted yourself with dignity throughout. Your honesty about your mistake and the lack of whinging and buck passing has been so refreshing. This attitude is now paying off in spades. Your old company don't appreciate what they've lost and it is very much their loss. Thanks for the update and I wish you all the very best for the future.

DCFC79

123helpme123 wrote: »

In the meantime, I had my JSA meetintg who informed me that I only needed to apply for 3 jobs a week for my 'entitlement'! I'm shocked at how little you have to do to enable you to get benefits! Either way,

I bet most people will apply for more just to get off Job Seekers.