Employer ruined my life advice on tribunal please?

paulineb_2

vicxzy wrote: »

Thanks for your replies.
I did not put grievances in about the more recent events as it all happened so quickly within a week I was a bit shell shocked especially with our bereavement too.
Ive claimed under sex & disability discrimination, They tried to get rid of me firstly because I was pregnant then because if my Post natal depression I also complained about Unauthorised deductions without explanation from my salary despite my enquiring (I have email proof) . Failure to pay notice pay. Failure to pay redundancy pay. Refusal to pay holiday pay.
I had to put the claim in quickly with the fees coming into place today I am in the union but they've been less than useless the last few years & my rep is off on AL for 2 weeks head office say they can't help I need to speak to my rep.
X

You could claim for constructive dismissal as well, but be aware that tribunals do look at whether you tried to resolve things, ie raised a grievance. It would have been better if you had gone off sick and tried to deal with it from then but thats hindsight.

You also dont need a rep to represent you at tribunal, theres fab advice on ACAS website, I represented myself at tribunal

They also arent obliged to give you a reference, no employer is legally.

vicxzy

Thanks for your help everyone I meant to say I have also claimed for constructive dismissal, my hands were tied about going off sick as they landed this on me the Tuesday before I was due to be made redundant on the friday anyway in order to get out of paying me redundancy they knew their vile treatment would drive me out whilst I was so vulnerable & I just wasn't strong enough to get through it.

My GP advised me not to attend the formal disciplinary hearing as I was due to leave a few days later anyway & I felt it was clear they had already made their minds up about the case, it has since come to light that they followed me for a number of weeks & spied on me in my home in their efforts to try & get rid of me. They have admitted this to the union!
I know it's a hugely complicated case I doubt (and hope!) that nobody here will have been through any actions quite so strange & desperate by their employer to force them out
Be nice if anyone could tell me any success stories after bad treatment though?
When I called job centre plus earlier they said I won't be able to claim as because my employer withheld my salary for 5 months jan-may this year I haven't paid enough NI contributions despite the fact I've paid NI for the last 18 years

vicxzy

You are right I am very grateful to be away from them I just think the last 18 years of my career & hard work have been left in tatters because of them it's also ruined the first 3 years of my daughters life it's very hard to move on from it I feel I need some form of closure

paulineb_2

Believe me, I could write a book about what my ex employers did to me. Hate mail to my home, my number being given out to tenants of the supported accommodation project I managed, meetings with said tenants about me when I was off ill, threats, I was almost assaulted on two occasions, involving all my staff to make up stories about me to get sacked. Going into work every day to receive offensive letters from a junior member of staff to me, on the company headed notepaper.

Horrendous treatment over a period of about 18 months which got much worse when I complained and then they sacked me.

Thats the abbreviated version. You wont be able to claim cont based JSA but you should be able to claim income based JSA unless you live with someone who has a healthy income

There is life after being treated like dirt in the workplace, doesnt feel like it when you are slap bang in the middle of it, but there is.

Lots of people get bullied and harassed in the workplace, millions all over the world, just that when you are going through it, it feels like its you and you only.

paulineb_2

Closure takes time. Took me a long time but I literally woke up one day and thought, Im not angry anymore.

Do whatever it takes to get you through, exercise, medication if you need it and its fine if you dont, counselling

Its horrible, but it hasnt ruined your life, I thought it had mine and Ive been through crap in 4 or 5 jobs, not just one, but you get through it and in my case, out and did a complete career change

These days, I work for myself and Im so much happier

vicxzy

That is disgusting Pauline! So sorry to hear they did this to you did you take any action over it? My boss threw a bin full of my own vomit over my head when I was pregnant in order to 'Teach me a lesson' for being sick in the office bin

vicxzy

They said I can't get income based JSA as my OH works full time even though its minimum wage & barely covers our rent let alone feeds the children

Southend1

vicxzy wrote: »

Thanks Southend.

You're welcome. Hope it all works out for you in the end.

Keep us updated.

Best of luck

paulineb_2

vicxzy wrote: »

That is disgusting Pauline! So sorry to hear they did this to you did you take any action over it? My boss threw a bin full of my own vomit over my head when I was pregnant in order to 'Teach me a lesson' for being sick in the office bin

Yes I did, but thats another long story, however time heals everything and you come out the end a stronger person for it.

paulineb_2

vicxzy wrote: »

They said I can't get income based JSA as my OH works full time even though its minimum wage & barely covers our rent let alone feeds the children

If they have as you say refused to pay you over the last 2 years you could also claim for illegal withholding of wages at tribunal as well.