So...I've been suspended from work. PLEASE HELP!!

SavingSassy

I work for a very large company and we would do this the same as has been done. You wouldn't invite someone to an investigation hearing by letter, you also don't have the right to have someone accompany you at this stage - you would be getting advanced warning of what is happening and try to get your story straight!?!

I wouldn't personally take disciplinary action if any of my staff did this - just a chat about how it's not acceptable. It does sound like it could be an accumulation of other things unfortunately.

ohreally

SavingSassy wrote: »

I work for a very large company and we would do this the same as has been done. You wouldn't invite someone to an investigation hearing by letter, you also don't have the right to have someone accompany you at this stage - you would be getting advanced warning of what is happening and try to get your story straight.

Perhaps your employers HR staff could do with a refresher. Of course a letter of invite is sent out for an investigation, how else is the employee to know what is being investigated?

Why shouldn't the employee get their "story straight", as this process can be frightening for the uninitiated or is it only management who should have the opportunity to discuss before the meeting.

Undervalued

ohreally wrote: »

Perhaps your employers HR staff could do with a refresher. Of course a letter of invite is sent out for an investigation, how else is the employee to know what is being investigated?

Why shouldn't the employee get their "story straight", as this process can be frightening for the uninitiated or is it only management who should have the opportunity to discuss before the meeting.

Sorry but SavingSassy is quite correct.

Perhaps your post does not read the way you intended as it seems to contradict your earlier comments.

Even when there was a statutory disciplinary process to follow (there are now only guidelines) there was no right to be accompanied at an "investigation" or any laid down rules as to how one should be conducted. Nor was there any requirement to give advanced notice. Those rules only applied to a disciplinary or grievance hearing and any subsequent appeal.

Which is pretty much what you said yesterday.

ohreally

Undervalued wrote: »

Perhaps your post does not read the way you intended as it seems to contradict your earlier comments

The post was sent from an iphone however I've re-read and I'm not sure of the point your making

A letter of invite would be sent to the individual under investigation. I agree re right to be accompanied at this stage.

Perhaps something washed over or I failed to be understood, its not the end of the world.

[Deleted User]

leanansidhe_in_the_original_post_of_the_thread wrote: »

Then he asks if I will need another person with me for the meeting

SavingSassy wrote: »

you also don't have the right to have someone accompany you at this stage

Undervalued wrote: »

no right to be accompanied at an "investigation"

ohreally wrote: »

I'm not sure of the point your making

Seems to be a lot of misunderstandings on this thread.:eek:

Energize

I'm afraid that just because you don't remember it doesn't make it unfair. Your memory of the event is moot, what matters is whether you did it or not.

GoldenShadow

The investigation will happen now you have been suspended. The meeting you had wouldn't have been an investigation so you wouldn't have needed to be given relevant notice. Not according to the company I worked for.

In my experience company's use the breaking of rules like this to get rid of people who are less desirable to keep on. It's the easy way to get rid. You broke rule x, this is gross misconduct, off you hop.

If you are on CCTV doing this, the fact they have pulled you up on it probably means they want you gone. Some companies will let you resign during the process, ie. you can resign or we look into this further and go down the disciplinary route/gross misconduct route.

Having worked in retail for three years I have always been very careful never to break these kinds of rules. People get sacked for it all the time,

ohreally wrote: »

For the sake of argument, suppose the cctv image shows you dipping into a bag of something, can the employer show that this constituted a breach of one of the policies, how do they know you didn't purchase this elsewhere or even from your workplace the day previously?

I think your looking in the wrong place for your problems - the lack of qualifying service may be your biggest concern and the employer may simply choose this route if dismissal is in their mind.

Retail company I worked for clearly state you must have a signed receipt for anything consumed in store and it is an emoloyee's obligation to produce this as and when requested. No ifs or buts.

Bonfire_Bride

whitewing wrote: »

I do think you need the opportunity to have a copy of the footage so you can seek advice.

I would still add the job to my draft CV (it is fairly common for graduates to have temporary jobs while jobhunting so it would probably come across as that).

If you do get let go, I'd get some some distance between this job and future graduate jobs by doing some temping jobs and volunteer work. Most, but not all, companies would only check 2 recent references, or maybe a tutor and a recent job, so you could potentially benefit from the experience without giving full facts unless asked.

Speak to ACAS, both about your defence and also about how to handle this situation in future job applications.

Don't let your disappointment over your degree grade and this incident define your future - you still have a lot of great experience behind you and your attitude going forward is what will determine your success and happiness in life.

Depends what role you would be hoping to get. My employer went back 7 years! :eek:

Be honest...if you try and wiggle out of something, you will only get further into a pickle. Were they supportive during your period of absence?

Hope this goes well for you. If it doesn't...please don't worry, this is not the end of your career - I'm sure the police wontbe called either.

Good Luck!

dippy3103

I can't add to the discussion re disciplinary action, but what I can say is that in the unlikely event the company contact the police, the police will almost certainly suggest this is an internal matter & disciplinary. The police have got real crime to be dealing with.

Good luck.