What To Do? Advice Please

FuzzyDF

Dear All,

I am after some advice. I started a new job 7 weeks ago. At the time of the interview I was told that this small company was thriving and exceptionally busy. The company is run by a married couple, I won't go into too much detail but it deals with medical issues and the director is a doctor. These are the 'problems':

Two employees have walked out

The phones hardly ring and we have only received a handful of cases

I set up a twitter and Linked Inn account to try to generate a bit of marketing, last week I was angrily accused of 'hacking' into the director Linked In account and following "the competition", a bit difficult to hack the account as the director changed her password after I had completed her profile

I have not been trained and sent an urgent letter to a hospital (I was advised to do this by a colleague) the director shouted, and I mean shouted at me in front of what colleagues have remained. This felt belittling and caused me upset

The directors keep saying that "Eastern Europeans cannot be trusted" and say other pretty nasty things. I have an Eastern European surname and my father came to the UK with the British Army during the WW2. I shouldn't have to justify that but it's not pleasant hearing these things.

They are recruiting for more staff (God know why) and have asked me to phone prospective candidates "to get a feel for them" when I asked what that meant they said they don't really want foreign accents picking up the phone. I spoke to one of the candidates who had an excellent CV and a good telephone manner which I informed the managers of. They asked if she had an accent and I said "yes, a pleasant Indian accent" they instantly shredded the CV. They are Asian themselves. I just don't understand.

The so called doctor instructed one of the junior employees to phone a hospital to enquire about a patient and their funding in the guise of the patients girlfriend. She was incredibly uncomfortable doing this.

I could go on and on but essentially I feel anxious as they are unapproachable; if I could walk out tomorrow I would. They are overtly racist and bullying. I feel that the Doctor is acting very inappropriately by getting staff to lie (and other things which I am sure the GMC would not be happy with).

There is no HR department "they deal with HR but have not got a clue".

Do I take them to a tribunal? I really don't know what my options are. I would like these people to be exposed to stop others from joining this awful company.

Janetta

Hi Fuzzy,
What a mess, unfortunately you haven't been there long enough to secure permanent position - as they can get rid of you before the two year period in which you could have taken them to a employment tribunal.

Having only done 7 weeks this could be viewed as probationary and they could terminate your employment, without giving you notice if you " upset the apple cart".

Whilst it's tempting to complain (they sound awful ) they don't seem the sort who will change amend or alter anything for you.

Just leave for your sanity or try to find another job quick if you can.
If you have to stay - then keep a diary of events, would not recommend tape recording, complaining etc as it's not worth your energy or time - but if you do be prepared to be fired.

Remember if you write to the general medical council, they will require facts of what happened & the impact of what happened etc ( see online disciplinaries cases dealt with)

You have been hood winked into a job in which your employers as you have wrote appear to have no idea on .....

Chin up & keep applying for jobs to get out.

tomtontom

Find another job. Forget tribunals and half baked reporting, just focus on getting yourself out of there.

FuzzyDF

Thank you both.

I'm just one of those people that want to see justice for other employees (not monetary compensation).

Incredibly vile people. Job hunting as we speak!

TELLIT01

In this instance you need to look after your own interests. If other employees are willing to be walked all over that's not your problem, although it shows you are a decent human being in that you do care.

27col

"What to do".
You don't need any advice. You know exactly what you should do. Look for another job.and stop worrying about the others. They should be looking as well. By the sound of it.

asajj

I'm a "foreigner" myself and I can say most of the times, foreigners are more racist. To me I wouldn't let this go without a fight(I'd report them firstly) but it is not for everyone so you can just go and find another job as suggested.

FBaby

Not clear what the business is, but if it involves sending urgent letters to hospital, the rest of what you describe is incredibly worrying in terms of their meeting professional requirements. Is the company registered with relevant bodies?

I personally would look for another job asap and do a bit of research as to whether they are operating legally. If not, I would make phone calls.

agrinnall

As FBaby says, if they are operating (no pun intended) in the medical field then there's a fair chance that there will be a regulatory body that can take action if they are breaking rules and/or the law. I'd say there's a good chance you would be offered whistleblower protection if you do report them while you still work there which might make it more difficult for them to sack you before you find another job.

CIS

As a Dr any conduct is regulated by the General Medical Council - http://www.gmc-uk.org/concerns/making_a_complaint/23361.asp?WT.ac=MCNO140122