Possible Dismissal for Gross Misconduct

DrWhoFanatic2016

Hi so the long and short of it is i have a disciplinary tomorrow at 3pm over "Inappropriate conduct at a work social function and verbal abuse". Basically i never drink and was extremely drunk and rude.

There's a reasonably high chance (70-80%) i'll get dismissed for gross misconduct even though i've never had a single problem/disciplinary matter there.

Where do i stand in regards to jobseekers, getting another job reference wise or would i just be better off handing in my resignation?

Thanks

daytona0

Best thing to do is play it by ear and see what the outcome is...

Though why would it be gross misconduct? Seems a bit harsh especially when they held the work function at a place which served alcohol!

I would be very apologetic and explain the circumstances. Usually you'll end up with a warning and will live to fight another day.

piglet25

Is this a follow up to the 'coming on to the boss' post?

nimbo

piglet25 wrote: »

Is this a follow up to the 'coming on to the boss' post?

Nearly spat juice over my phone. Haha.

Bogalot

daytona0 wrote: »

Best thing to do is play it by ear and see what the outcome is...

Though why would it be gross misconduct? Seems a bit harsh especially when they held the work function at a place which served alcohol!

I would be very apologetic and explain the circumstances. Usually you'll end up with a warning and will live to fight another day.

It's reasonable to expect adults to be able to drink responsibly. Unless he was being held down and forced to drink, responsibility lies solely with the OP here.

The Jobcentre will ask your employer why you have been dismissed. Gross misconduct will result in a sanction.

As for the likelihood of dismissal, in what way were you rude, are we talking an accidental comment or an outright rant? Length of employment?

agrinnall

DrWhoFanatic2016 wrote: »

Basically i never drink and was extremely drunk and rude.

There seems to be a bit of a discrepancy in this statement: if the first part is true then the second part can't be right. Sadly I suspect that it's the first part that you've got wrong.

TELLIT01

Reading between the lines, or being less pendantic, (take your pick) I assumed the OP meant they normally don't drink.

maninthestreet

So what did you do and/or say when you were p*ssed that got you into trouble??

inglorius

The only way I can see you escaping this is if you can mitigate if your employer laid on a free bar all evening at this social function so you could argue that this behavior encouraged staff to drink to excess. If the person taking the disciplinary is also the person you verbally abused then I would start looking for a new job now.

Masomnia

inglorius wrote: »

The only way I can see you escaping this is if you can mitigate if your employer laid on a free bar all evening at this social function so you could argue that this behavior encouraged staff to drink to excess. If the person taking the disciplinary is also the person you verbally abused then I would start looking for a new job now.

Personally I wouldn't suggest trying to shift the blame here. OP alone is responsible for what he said and how much he drank and taking responsibility will reflect better. If anything I would have thought that trying to blame your employer for your actions will only encourage them to sack you!

I agree with the previous poster who suggested you are extremely apologetic, it won't happen again etc and plead your case, and hope for a written warning.

If you've got long service with no previous issues then bring that up. You've said it was a company do, but who else witnessed it? If no one else then that might count in your favour; ie you haven't brought the company into disrepute. Was it just between you and one other person? Have you apologised to the person involved? Are there any other personal reasons that might have impacted on your behaviour? (Without making flimsy excuses!)

In terms of jobseekers/Universal credit it probably would result in a sanction, but I'd suggest you claim ASAP as it can take time for the claim to be processed and you may be entitled to something.

I woudn't suggest resigning either. You probably have a notice period, so they do not have to let you go straight away and they could hold the hearing and dismiss you anyway if they are so minded. You may as well plead your case and hope they don't dismiss you and you can move on from it. Reference is up to them, as long as it is truthful they can disclose why you were dismissed, or they could decline to give one. ETA: If you resign they could state in a reference that you were resigned with a disciplinary pending, which is little better than being dismissed really. In some regulated roles they will be obliged to state this.

lewishardwick

I think a lot will depend on what was said.

Inappropriate conduct could mean anything, from being too drunk to groping the CEO during the conga! Verbal abuse could be wide open to interpretation.

Unless you clearly know your actions on the night, expect to be in for a shock.

I would be jotting down what I remembered from the night/incident(s) involved and formalising an apology. It might not do you any good, but it might help sway their minds to accept a resignation rather than kick you out...