Facing disciplinary action - HELP!

nimbo

MissDVL wrote: »

If I was going to be prosecuted over the matter, surely they would have had me arrested by now?!

where are the new jobs based?

if they are with vulnerable adults or children, safeguarding policy would suggest that they will have to make future employers aware of the inappropriate relationship, which may be why they're taking it further...

You may only be 'admin staff' but you broke the rules of the workplace.

they may not prosecute but you may still need to get legal advice / union representation. look at you home insurance policy - it may be included.

safeguarding policy is in place to protect vulnerable people such as prisoners - you broke the rules, and may have to suffer the consequences - moving jobs to avoid this happening is not the grown up way to deal with this.

good luck

Funky_Bold_Ribena

MissDVL wrote: »

Thanks for the vote of confidence, I assume from this comment you have never made an error of judgement before?

They are fully aware which makes it all the more confusing as to why they are bothering with a disciplinary when they could easily just dismiss me for gross misconduct, unless they have very little evidence and are hoping they will glean more from me at the hearing...

A - no - I've very much kept the old knickers on when it comes to professional relationships.
B - because it's a safeguarding issue and they HAVE to. Obviously.

MissDVL

nimbo wrote: »

where are the new jobs based?

if they are with vulnerable adults or children, safeguarding policy would suggest that they will have to make future employers aware of the inappropriate relationship, which may be why they're taking it further...

You may only be 'admin staff' but you broke the rules of the workplace.

they may not prosecute but you may still need to get legal advice / union representation. look at you home insurance policy - it may be included.

safeguarding policy is in place to protect vulnerable people such as prisoners - you broke the rules, and may have to suffer the consequences - moving jobs to avoid this happening is not the grown up way to deal with this.

good luck

No, neither of them are with vulnerable people. I haven't decided to move jobs because of this, I was already leaving and this has been sprung upon me.

Funky_Bold_Ribena wrote: »

A - no - I've very much kept the old knickers on when it comes to professional relationships.
B - because it's a safeguarding issue and they HAVE to. Obviously.

Ahh yes, but again I am sure you have been squeaky clean in every other area of your life

Thanks for the 'obvious' advice, however having never had any issues with my employment in the past the 'obvious' procedures for these kinds of things aren't all that 'obvious' to me.

Tiddlywinks

MissDVL wrote: »

Sort of....we provide drug and alcohol treatment to offenders in prison. However I am office-based so do not provide any treatment to the prisoners as such, just deal with referrals.

The prisoner in question is no longer a client at the prison I work at, and our relationship started after he moved away, but obviously the fact that he is still a serving prisoner is the issue.

You are employed by a charity which supports the vulnerable... The fact that this chap is still serving out his sentence makes this pretty darn serious.

You don't just allow yourself to stumble into a situation such as this... If he moved away, how on earth did you manage to start a relationship?

I can't see how you could explain away such a massive error of judgement to your future employer... assuming they ask why your reference is less than glowing from your current employer.

Torry_Quine

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

You are employed by a charity which supports the vulnerable... The fact that this chap is still serving out his sentence makes this pretty darn serious.

You don't just allow yourself to stumble into a situation such as this... If he moved away, how on earth did you manage to start a relationship?

I can't see how you could explain away such a massive error of judgement to your future employer... assuming they ask why your reference is less than glowing from your current employer.

I agree, this was a huge error of judgement! :eek: How quickly it ended will also go in her favour. I just don't see how this happened as he is in prison.

This is something that could effect you in the future if you need a disclosure certificate for a job or volunteering.

Funky_Bold_Ribena

MissDVL wrote: »

Ahh yes, but again I am sure you have been squeaky clean in every other area of your life

Thanks for the 'obvious' advice, however having never had any issues with my employment in the past the 'obvious' procedures for these kinds of things aren't all that 'obvious' to me.

This isn't about me, but yes I have kept a very clean slate professionally, it's easy to do...most of us manage to do it.

I work with vulnerable people every day, by the way.

And it's not my fault that you can't see the obvious staring you in the face...you don't have to have had any issues in the past to work out that they have to follow procedures when it comes to safeguarding.

prowla

Torry_Quine wrote: »

You could resign but then any reference could say that you resigned while suspended.

The OP has already resigned, which is why they are working their notice.

MissDVL

Funky_Bold_Ribena wrote: »

This isn't about me, but yes I have kept a very clean slate professionally, it's easy to do...most of us manage to do it.

I work with vulnerable people every day, by the way.

And it's not my fault that you can't see the obvious staring you in the face...you don't have to have had any issues in the past to work out that they have to follow procedures when it comes to safeguarding.

Again, I didn't mention professionalism, I'm sure your personal life is blemish free too. And you're right, it isn't about you, so I think maybe the snidey comments should be kept firmly in your head, rather than shared with a forum whose sole purpose is to help others? FYI, sanctimonious is spot on

prowla wrote: »

The OP has already resigned, which is why they are working their notice.

Yes this is true, but I'm not sure whether I can resign again with immediate effect in order for the disciplinary action to cease. I mean, I know I CAN physically do this but unsure how my reference will reflect the situation?

prowla

Of course rules are there to prevent dodgey happenings and legalities being compromised.

But, assuming that the meet was mutual and purely personal and the person is not vulnerable/under age/etc., then I can't see anything morally untoward with it.

In terms of re-resigning, I think the employer could stick to the letter of their contract, unless you could come to an agreement.

debrag

MissDVL wrote: »

Hi all

I'm currently suspended on full pay pending investigation (won't go into details but I know I'm in the wrong.)

HOWEVER, I am also currently 4.5 weeks into a 6 week notice period, which I personally extended due to the fact my new job does not begin until 9th August. My current job only required me to work 4 weeks' notice, which ended last Wednesday.

I am due to attend a investigatory hearing on Wednesday to plead my case, but I know full well that I will be dismissed whether I attend or not.

I'm seriously worried that my new job offer will be retracted when they get the reference from my current employer saying I was dismissed.

My question is - can I end my notice period with immediate effect, considering I have already worked the notice required of me? I have already spoken to Acas who have said that if I do this any disciplinary actions will be ceased as I am no longer employed by the company.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
D x

You handed in your notice before getting a reference?