Should I put in a grievance?

Katrina1981_2

Seen as I have posted regarding my partner this looks like a useful site for my personal concerns!

I worked for a company for 3 years in HR. I went on maternity leave in January and was due back a few weeks ago.

My manager spoke to me once duriing my maternity leave about my return date and I left feeling quite uncomfortable like she didn't want me there.
A couple of years ago I had a tough 6 months. My 8 year old daughter got shingles, I split with my ex, sold my house, new house was burgled etc etc ending up with me having depression!

My manager was not supportive one bit and was so eager to get me into investigations straight away. When my daughter had the shingles she asked if someone could look after her so i could work!! The doctor told me she had to stay indoors for 2 weeks. Anyway she put through disciplinary for it! Thankfully the main manager revoked it.

That is just to give you an idea of what she is like.

I handed in my notice 2 weeks ago, I had no phone call to say she had received it or anything. The next thing I know, one of the girls there told me she has done an exit interview saying I left because of childcare problems!! What the hell??

I went in for a meeting with a different manager who did a proper exit interview.
So I have now officially left, but should I take this further or will it just cause more grief for me?

Noctu

Personally? I'd make sure I got a reference from them, then take the b*tch for all she's got!

dmg24

I can't see what you actually have to complain about now, as you have chosen to resign. If you had issues, you needed to complain at the time.

I do think you would be causing problems for yourself if you instigated a grievance now. Also, I can't see that you would achieve anything, as you are already leaving?

Maybe best to put it down to bad experience, and move on x

Lorian

You quit two weeks ago and you partner is up for a disciplinary?

Wow, bad timing.

Katrina1981_2

dmg24 wrote: »

I can't see what you actually have to complain about now, as you have chosen to resign. If you had issues, you needed to complain at the time.

I do think you would be causing problems for yourself if you instigated a grievance now. Also, I can't see that you would achieve anything, as you are already leaving?

Maybe best to put it down to bad experience, and move on x

You have to understand that complaining at the time would have made it unbearable for me to work there.

As for achieving anything, the main manager their suggested I put in a grievance against her because of her attitude to the colleagues. I also know another another girl there is thinking of doing the same.

dmg24

Katrina1981 wrote: »

You have to understand that complaining at the time would have made it unbearable for me to work there.

As for achieving anything, the main manager their suggested I put in a grievance against her because of her attitude to the colleagues. I also know another another girl there is thinking of doing the same.

If you had complained and then been victimised for that reason, then you would have grounds for further complaint. Possible repercussions are not a reason for not making a complaint.

I do have sympathy, I've been in the situation myself, but procedures are in place for a reason.

You need to think about what you will achieve from making a complaint, not your colleagues.

The most you will gain is the satisfaction of knowing that action will be taken against your manager. However, you have no guarantee that this will happen. Equally, even if your grievance is proven, the sanction against your manager may be quite minor (e.g. more frequent performance reviews, written warning).

Looking at a worse case scenario, you could lose the possibility of a good reference. Even if you have a new job to go to, some employers check references going back several years.

What do you really want to achieve by your action?

HappyG1rl

Katrina1981 wrote: »

You have to understand that complaining at the time would have made it unbearable for me to work there.


As for achieving anything, the main manager their suggested I put in a grievance against her because of her attitude to the colleagues.
Let this manager fire their own bullets. You can't put in a grievance against the manager's attitude to colleagues - you can only complain about their attitude towards you.

I also know another another girl there is thinking of doing the same.

You haven't said the actual reason why you resigned. I'm a bit unsure what your grievance would be about - is it purely because she did the exit interview in your absence?

CFC

I am not sure what you would be raising a grievance about. Really, looking at it objectively, the only things you have posted do not appear to be ground for grievance.

One is that she conducted an investigation when you were away from work for two weeks due to your daughter's shingles (and she may well have been correct to do so, dependent on company policy - emergency dependent leave is not for looking after children for weeks and other statutory parental leave must be booked in advance. In my own workplace you would possibly have been on the carpet for unauthorised absence)

The other reason you give is because you felt she didn't want you back. Presumably she said nothing that indicated to you that your job had been withdrawn?

The gossip that you heard re an exit interview may or may not be correct. As for not getting a response to your resignation, that's fairly normal, there is no need to confirm the receipt of a resignation letter.

From what you say, it sounds to me as if she's just not a very fluffy person so she didn't 'make you feel loved' as we say in 'management-speak'. As you've been having a difficult time, you notice the 'lack of love' a lot more as you are naturally more sensitive.

I'm struggling to find what you feel aggrieved about?

atouchofwellness

Well you certainly got your timing wrong. Your intentions for grievance should have been conducted when you were dealing with the problem, now you have resigned officially so whats the point in raising the old issue? Again I hope you had enough evidence of what you speak. Please remember if you happen to encounter such an arrogant boss yet again then make sure you make your timing right for the complain and at the same time have ample proof to file a grievance.

ohreally

Katrina1981 wrote: »

I worked for a company for 3 years in HR.?

Do you mind me asking what your role in HR was? The development of events and your subsequent questions are a little strange for an HR (ex)-employee.