Alleged Gross Misconduct

CraigD

I have been suspended from work on full pay following an incident on April 4th. I work as a delivery driver and collided with a parked car on a night shift. I checked the car for damage and seeing as there was minimal damage (a few scuff marks on the rear corner of the vehicle) I admit I left the scene without leaving insurance details. I have only been in the job for three months and had another incident where I reversed into a parked vehicle in which case I exchanged insurance details.

I was called into the store managers office at the start of my shift yesterday and handed a letter informing me I was suspended until further notice. My manager handed me another letter inviting me to a meeting tomorrow to discuss my alleged gross misconduct. The letter specified that this wasn't a disciplinary meeting. It also stated I could take a Representative with me. I have left a voicemail at my Union and contacted a colleague as a possible rep.

Can I be dismissed immediately if I am found to have committed gross misconduct?

Torry_Quine

You could be dismissed even without gross misconduct as you have only been employed for three months. so the fact that they are investigating is a good sign in my opinion. If found to be gross misconduct then yes you could be dismissed instantly.

Denning.

You committed a criminal offence using company property on company time.

Torry, it's not a good sign at all. Large organisations have set procedures they need to follow regardless of how long someone has been at the company.

paulineb_2

CraigD wrote: »

I have been suspended from work on full pay following an incident on April 4th. I work for a Supermarket as an Online Groceries Delivery Driver and collided with a parked car on a night shift. I checked the car for damage and seeing as there was minimal damage (a few scuff marks on the rear corner of the vehicle) I admit I left the scene without leaving insurance details. I have only been in the job for three months and had another incident where I reversed into a parked vehicle in which case I exchanged insurance details.

I was called into the store managers office at the start of my shift yesterday and handed a letter informing me I was suspended until further notice. My manager handed me another letter inviting me to a meeting tomorrow to discuss my alleged gross misconduct. The letter specified that this wasn't a disciplinary meeting. It also stated I could take a Representative with me. I have left a voicemail at my Union and contacted a colleague as a possible rep.

Can I be dismissed immediately if I am found to have committed gross misconduct?

Id be very wary of taking at face value a letter saying something isnt a disciplinary and then in the next breath mentioning GM

Please dont go into any meeting without a rep, if a rep cant make it, ask that the meeting be postponed until they can.

fruitedeli

Can you be immediately dismissed for crashing a company vehicle into a stationary car and trying to evade accepting responsibility? Yes, and your employer will be hard pressed to act showing employee accountability to the public. Time to start job hunting. Might I suggest you don't find another large vehicle driving role...? This time it's a parked car, but next time it could be a human being.

CraigD

Thanks for all the replies. All comments taken on board.

PHILANTHROPIST

CraigD wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. All comments taken on board.

Hi Craig - By the sounds of it you have been invited to an "investigation meeting" which along with being suspended is a "neutral" act. Based on what you say, disciplinary proceedings may well follow post the investigation phase.

At the investigation meeting you will most probably be asked to comment upon your version of events etc regarding the incident. The meeting will be minuted. You should also take minutes. Do not let the investigator harass you. If need be, ask them to speak slowly in order for you to reply clearly as well as take full and comprehensive notes. Employers have been known to take rather one-sided notes and related minutes.

Be careful that you do not say anything that you may regret later. Do not lie, but if you feel a question is a rather leading one, ask that you be given it in writing and then make a fair and reasonable request that you reply within say 24-48 hours.

Given that you have only been employed for less than two years then the outcome may sadly be inevitable. If, other than the incident you describe, you are well thought of, your employer may give you a written warning. I presume you have a clean disciplinary record so far.

I would also consider calling ACAS via link below. For the main part they offer helpful guidance :

http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2042

Best of luck.

PHILANTHROPIST

.. and BTW, forgot to clearly answer your question.

Yes, an employee can be summarily dismissed (ie without notice) for a proven act of gross misconduct.

Lioness_Twinkletoes

PHILANTHROPIST wrote: »

If, other than the incident you describe, you are well thought of, your employer may give you a written warning.

Considering this is the second vehicular incident in a mere three months - and he committed a criminal offence during the second incident - I would suggest he is not going to be particularly well thought of by his employer. Nor is he a very good driver.

Time to start job hunting.

PHILANTHROPIST

Lioness_Twinkletoes wrote: »

Considering this is the second vehicular incident in a mere three months - and he committed a criminal offence during the second incident - I would suggest he is not going to be particularly well thought of by his employer. Nor is he a very good driver.

Time to start job hunting.

If you had read my entire post, rather than quoting a mere extract, you will see that on balance I agree with you.

It does not look good.

CraigD

Thanks PHILANTHROPIST