Unfair dismissal - any ideas/comments?

jennimoo

Hello,

I've been reading threads on this board and there sound like there are some good bits of advice, so I thought I would post what I am up to to see if anyone has any ideas!

The gist is that after a period of depression and anxiety (caused by
work) I was made redundant. This was soon after being given a
permanant contract, and being told I was not working at the level of
my salary. Several jobs at the same level in similar roles have been
filled since, one of which I wasn't given the opportunity to apply for
(bosses son given it) the other I did not fit the person spec.

They argue I was made redundant due to changes in their business, which I dispute as eveything I did still has to be done.

I have completed the internal grievance procedure, but they feel that
they acted 'reasonably'. They have still failed to send a recording of the meeting, as promised, and have only managed to produce a transcript.

I have a date for an initial pre-tribunal hearing meeting, in a few weeks, and now wonder if I should have a solicitor, as due to the anxiety etc, the whole thing is often a bit much to handle, and I don't know how I will react to the situation, and seeing my old boss. I've sent details throught to a couple of places today.

All I want is for them to accept that things weren't right. Any ideas?

Jenni

Conor_3

You've got a tough job. They've said the position became redundant and that's very hard to prove otherwise. A person could be doing a job that seems to be the one you did but all they have to do is point out additional roles/tasks being done by that employee.

The fact you'd recently been given a permanent contract isn't of relevance neither is the fact that several "similar" jobs have been advertised and filled.

It's a solicitor/CAB job.

asea

get a solicitor, if you don't know the law it can be overly intimidating & difficult to represent yourself!! go to the CAB your local legal centre might to pro bono work for you. call ACAS they can give you free & comprehensive legal advice. good luck!

jennimoo

What I'm saying is they made me redundant due to my longterm mental health problem ie disability, rather than for the reasons stated by them. Still hard to prove I suppose.

ACAS are no use once you have put in to tribunal, as you can only talk to your case manager, not the helpline, and most mine is too busy!

I am trying to find a solicitor now, but really it is too late for that isn't it? I only have 2 weeks til the pre-hearing meeting. I don't really want to take things further because it upsets me, but feel I should on principle, as I know I was unfairly dismissed becasue they felt I couldn't do the job properly, they just didn't say this because it was a disability.

Just wish they had just said sorry when I first brought up the grievance, would have saved everyone a lot of money and hassle!

Conor_3

Yeah we know what you meant - them using redundancy as a smokescreen.

It isn't too late to find a solicitor.