have been suspended from work and need some advice please?

gigi7

Hi all, ive only ever posted on this forum once before, hopefully ive posted in the right place!

I have a few issues with my current work situ, as mentioned in title i have been suspended.
Just a bitof background first. Apologies as this might sound very vague, but i have to be careful about posting online, and i cant afford to get into more trouble lol

I have made a mistake at work which has had a major consequence. Before I did this, I asked a senior member of staff (my line manager) whether it was ok to do this particular thing or not, and was told it was fine. (it was to update a small detail for something) Anyway a couple of weeks later, something happened which was an indirect result of me changing this detail,(by indirect i mean other things have also lead to the same action happening done by others, but what i did basically had a 'helping hand' in it) and I have been suspended under investigation. I have had various meetings explaining everything, how it happened and answering the same questions at work. The line manager I referred it to beforehand has denied that i asked her at all. I have no proof to show that I did ask first, however I have mentioned that they could probably see on CCTV me showing her the relavant paperwork a few minutes before I updated this particular item on the system. As far as i know they have not taken this into account. So on paper, all there is is me changing the detail on my own accord.

As a result, i have been suspended under investigation for gross misconduct and have a disciplinary hearing in a few weeks.

I have been looking to leave this job for about a month before all this happened, and especially now that i know a senior member of staff has not been honest and knows that ive involved her in this, I really dont want to go back at all. It's highly likely that they will dismiss me at the hearing, though I will be upset at being out of work, but given the situation, I wont be devastated that I dont work THERE anymore.

What I'm worried about and would like some advice on is referencing in the future. I have contemplated handing in my notice now, but they can still say on a ref that i resigned during investigation or suspension. So that is no better than saying i was fired really. Is it likely that I will always have to give this employer as a reference, or can i give a previous employer. Can potential new employers request a reference from where I work now even if I dont use them as a reference?

I've been thinking about handing in my notice before hearing, but I'm not allowed on company property, and im not 100% sure if I can hand in my notice while under investigation and due to attend a hearing.

I know it will make it look like im guilty, but I ahave no intention of staying there now, and even if I get off on a final warning, you can imagine it will be awful if I've dragged a senior member of staff into it and have basically been called a liar. With some companies, this being one of them, its just a losing battle if I try to stay and clear my name etc.

Sorry about the length of this, just thought id try to give as much detail of the situation, without giving too much away lol, so if anyone has advice , you know as much as you need to hopefully.
The main questions I have really, is can I get out of using them as a reference in future, and is it worth it to just quit now, as im more than likely going to be dismissed at hearing. If they give me a final warning, and I hand in my notice at hearing are they likely to take my notice with immediate effect or would I have to work it.

I know that no one can give a definite answer as to what I should do , or what can happen, but maybe someones had a similar situation or knows generally how these things go. Hopefully someone can help me Thanks

mrcow

You would have to work any notice period if you were to resume working once the investigation is complete.

You don't have to use them a reference unless your new employer specifically asks for your previous employer as a reference (some will, some won't).

What's confusing is that you seem alomst 100% certain that you'll be sacked, but you say what you did was minor. Are you not allowed to alter account details in your job? Is it actually gross misconduct? If so, you would surely have been aware when you committed it?

gb12345

gigi7 wrote: »

The main questions I have really, is can I get out of using them as a reference in future,

If I was a prospective employer and you refused to give your previous employer as a reference (particularly if you'd been there a while) - it would make me wonder what you were trying to hide and whether you really were a suitable candidate.

gigi7 wrote: »

and is it worth it to just quit now, as im more than likely going to be dismissed at hearing.

I would also view a reference that said "left pending investigation for gross misconduct" as just as bad as if you were dismissed.

What would you tell a prospective employer at interview if they asked you why you left your current job?

ohreally

gigi7 wrote: »

The main questions I have really, is can I get out of using them as a reference in future, and is it worth it to just quit now, as im more than likely going to be dismissed at hearing.

Have you considered raising the option of a compromise agreement? May be a solution for exiting with an agreed reference.

gigi7

mrcow wrote: »

You would have to work any notice period if you were to resume working once the investigation is complete.

You don't have to use them a reference unless your new employer specifically asks for your previous employer as a reference (some will, some won't).

What's confusing is that you seem alomst 100% certain that you'll be sacked, but you say what you did was minor. Are you not allowed to alter account details in your job? Is it actually gross misconduct? If so, you would surely have been aware when you committed it?

Hi, sorry I'm still new to this not sure if I reply directly to you this way lol.

The mistake I made was a minor, but it was sort of a knock on effect, one other person (i think im not 100% sure) also made a mistake with the same account, and so on so forth. But there was a major consequence after. It's so hard to explain without going into specifics, which I cant do incase I get into more trouble for posting about it online. Basically, if nothing had happened after, it would have just been a small mistake something they would brush under the carpet, but what has happened has been linked to the fact I updated a detail. I am allowed to change certain details, provided i follow the right procedure. In this case, I wasn't 100% sure which was the right procedure, so I asked the manager, who OK'd it. (as I said above, the manager is saying i didnt show her anything, whether shes denying it for her own good or she genuinely cant remember I dont know) I have always asked senior members of staff if ive been unsure of a certain procedure, and have only ever gone through with something if ive been told its ok to do so, so when this happened I did what I would normally do and thought it was ok.

mrcow

In which case, I'd fight tooth and nail as what you have done is not gross misconduct and it would be really unfair for them to get away with tarring you with that, when what you did was exactly what you were told to do!

macman

Why would you need access to the company premises to hand in your notice? You simply write to them giving the required notice of your resignation.
Your current suspension does not prevent you from giving notice if you wish to.

FBaby

I would advise you to fight it. I've been in the same situation and fought the disciplinary so that in the end, they could only give me a final warning rather than dismissing me. I lost all faith in the organisation, but in the end, decided to stay as I couldn't find another job with the same advantages. As it happened, the people involved all moved out, the new people knew nothing of what had happened and after a couple of years, I was promoted. It is now all behind me.

What you need to do is focus on policies. Did you receive training to input the information you put on the system? Were you expected to know what you did wrong? Even if you asked your manager and she denies you did, she can still be responsible rather than you, because they might consider that she should have asked you to pass it by her first or she failed to provide you with some sort of training. She could very well the one in trouble.

fannyadams

references these days are usually:
"yes he/she worked here from x date to y date"
nothing more, nothing less.
I'm told (by a friend who worked in HR until 2 years ago) that they don't even need to say why you left (unless it's a child protection issue I think)

ermine

I did what I would normally do and thought it was ok.

Provided you can say this in good faith, stand your ground and take it through the normal disciplinary procedure. Let's take a look at your options:

1) you hand in your notice - you are now out of a job, out of money and out of options

you don't hand in your notice - have you been suspended on pay - in which case there are now three outcomes :

2) They find against you after some weeks, well at least you have a few weeks pay and some time to investigate alternative employment

3) they find in your favour - or at least insufficient evidence against you

4) they offer you a compromise agreement to go quietly and not cause them any trouble. This is the time to talk reference, though it may only be a factual reference, ie xyz worked here from date 1 to date 2

2,3,and 4 are all better than 1 to my view. Don't give up before going through due process unless you are suspended without pay.

Obviosuly if you have any union representation then for God's sake take it up.

Cutting and running would look like an admission of guilt to me, and you close off your options. They may not look great at the moment but there seems to be something to play for. Good luck!

pinkshoes

ermine wrote: »

Provided you can say this in good faith, stand your ground and take it through the normal disciplinary procedure. Let's take a look at your options:

1) you hand in your notice - you are now out of a job, out of money and out of options

you don't hand in your notice - have you been suspended on pay - in which case there are now three outcomes :

2) They find against you after some weeks, well at least you have a few weeks pay and some time to investigate alternative employment

3) they find in your favour - or at least insufficient evidence against you

4) they offer you a compromise agreement to go quietly and not cause them any trouble. This is the time to talk reference, though it may only be a factual reference, ie xyz worked here from date 1 to date 2

2,3,and 4 are all better than 1 to my view. Don't give up before going through due process unless you are suspended without pay.

Obviosuly if you have any union representation then for God's sake take it up.

Cutting and running would look like an admission of guilt to me, and you close off your options. They may not look great at the moment but there seems to be something to play for. Good luck!

^^ this!!!

Fight it, and stand up to the lying supervisor!