Rep not returning calls-pre-sacking meeting next week, HELP!

urban_spirit

Has anyone experience that can help please?

I'm about to be sacked for disability sick absence at work, I have a final meeting with a senior manager next week to gather evidence but I cant get hold of my rep. I left messages two weeks ago asking my rep to contact me, rang again last week, and again yesterday but still no contact (rep is in work).

I rang head office yesterday to ask them to contact rep-although head office were quite @rsey with me they sent rep an email to prompt contact, and explaining about the meeting next week.

I have to confirm my attendance at this meeting in writing, meet with the rep to bring up to speed, find out why my grievance has not been dealt with, and prepare for this meeting next week.
I have no idea what to do. This is an upsetting time anyway-never been sacked from a job in my life and it's a big thing for me-and the actions of the rep are making me feel so under pressure I feel like i'm going to explode.

I need a presence at the meeting, as well as helping me fight my corner, I have a medical problem with my memory, so need support in there. I don't know what to do-I am lost.

scottishlass

Does it have to be your rep thats present or can you take a friend/relative instead? That way you could concentrate on preparing instead of worrying about the rep etc.

rjm2k1

I think you need to calm down and explain the situation in full. If they are sacking you for disability sick absense then surely they are opening themselves up for some serious trouble with an employment tribunal? As far as the rep is concerned, I assume that means you are in a union, therefore contact the union directly and get them to send someone else to help you.

urban_spirit

scottishlass wrote: »

Does it have to be your rep thats present or can you take a friend/relative instead? That way you could concentrate on preparing instead of worrying about the rep etc.

It does have to be a rep from the recognised union who attends with me.

urban_spirit

rjm2k1 wrote: »

I think you need to calm down and explain the situation in full. If they are sacking you for disability sick absense then surely they are opening themselves up for some serious trouble with an employment tribunal? As far as the rep is concerned, I assume that means you are in a union, therefore contact the union directly and get them to send someone else to help you.

Calm down-and how should I do that? Will being calm magic a supportive rep?

Yes they are leaving themselves wide open, but thats not the issue here.
I HAVE contacted union head office - see my first post. My rep was the only one available and experienced enough.

cazziebo

Unless the company are being unco-operative - and they should be bending over backwards to demonstrate co-operation to keep themselves squeaky clean in this situation, then they should accept a postponement for a reasonable cause.

Put the request in writing, and suggest a date not too long in the future, or at least give a date and time when you will be able to supply a date. Buys you more time to catch up with the union rep.

Good luck

(and it shouldn't be a pre-sacking meeting, the outcome should not be determined at this stage)

rjm2k1

urban_spirit wrote: »

I HAVE contacted union head office - see my first post. My rep was the only one available and experienced enough.

Ok, I assumed from your first post that you were talking about your employers head office rather than your unions. I would get back in touch with the union (why are they being @rsey?) and explain that you have been unable to contact your rep and need someone else to come, they should have and be able to send one of their own staff rather than just a rep. Ask for a postponement as mentioned above, in writing so that you can organise representation.

urban_spirit

cazziebo wrote: »

Unless the company are being unco-operative - and they should be bending over backwards to demonstrate co-operation to keep themselves squeaky clean in this situation, then they should accept a postponement for a reasonable cause.

Put the request in writing, and suggest a date not too long in the future, or at least give a date and time when you will be able to supply a date. Buys you more time to catch up with the union rep.

Good luck

(and it shouldn't be a pre-sacking meeting, the outcome should not be determined at this stage)

Thanks cazziebo.
I had to postpone the first meeting as I wasnt well enough to attend(i'm off at the moment) - the senior manager was annoyed because it was inconvenient and threatening to make a decision without my evidence if i'm 'too ill' to attend the next one.

If I put the request in writing it won't get there in time unfortunately.

And yes, it definitely should NOT be a pre-sacking meeting, but my manager informed me months ago that the outcome had been decided. Thats partly what the grievance is about thats not being dealt with.

urban_spirit

rjm2k1 wrote: »

Ok, I assumed from your first post that you were talking about your employers head office rather than your unions. I would get back in touch with the union (why are they being @rsey?) and explain that you have been unable to contact your rep and need someone else to come, they should have and be able to send one of their own staff rather than just a rep. Ask for a postponement as mentioned above, in writing so that you can organise representation.

I have been back to union head office and asked for one of their staff to represent me and what they do is refer me back to local reps.

I dont think i'll be able to postpone this meeting (see above post) and if I write, it wont get there in time.
I dont know why there being @rsey with me - ???

urban_spirit

The rep just rang. He's not available next week so cant represent me and was the only one experienced enough.

He was meant to be looking into why my grievance hasn't been looked at (they have to deal with the grievance before any meeting can take place) but hasnt done that.
He met with my previous rep (rep1) to get my original documents (medical and formal evidence) - rep1 taken them home and shredded them. I cannot believe it. They should not have left the workplace after rep1 photocopied them, let alone been shredded. If they were finished with rep1 should have returned them to me.

This union representation is unbelievably poor.

lindens

I have been through something similar ( tho not as serious as yours sounds) and it's upsetting when you feel like the union are not on yourside.
My union rep was on holiday when my date was given so I just wrote and asked for another date. In the meantime I panicked a bit and decided to contact another rep, luckily our union website has a list of all the contactable reps and their superioirs, and theirs etc etc. so I just contacted my reps boss and she calmed me down and went through the options. is that an option for you? If yours is a nationwide union, they are usually just split into geographical areas, maybe asked to be put through that way?
It doesn't matter if your boss is annoyed, there are set procedures he has to follow such as giving you enough notice, offereing you different dates within reason etc etc.
Good luck with whatever the outcome