What level of proof for gross misconduct

marliepanda

Nicki wrote: »

Two of the letters had definitely been opened. The first was out of the envelope completely and left with a stack of other mail. The one today had been opened and didn't have enough glue left on the flap to stick it back down so although it was in the envelope it's unlikely it went through the mail that way. I'm confident that my belief the mail has been tampered with is reasonable but not sure whether that's enough to form a reasonable belief she did it

Ive had envelopes that don't stick at all, and when Ive licked them, theyve stuck even less.

Luckily they were birthday cards which i was giving in person, but no reason posted mail cant have a rubbish envelope.

Just send a letter to yourself from a "friend" telling you how generous are for planning on offering your nanny a 20% raise. See if she perks up...

iammumtoone

Is there something that is worrying her about the change of school? For example could she be worried she could lose her job over it? Maybe she won't be able to take the child to the school you have in mind for some reason.

If she has worked for you for three years with no issues, gets on well with the children and you are confident the children are safe and happy with her then I would try to get to the bottom of this so she can continue her employment.

sangie595

Nicki wrote: »

Two of the letters had definitely been opened. The first was out of the envelope completely and left with a stack of other mail. The one today had been opened and didn't have enough glue left on the flap to stick it back down so although it was in the envelope it's unlikely it went through the mail that way. I'm confident that my belief the mail has been tampered with is reasonable but not sure whether that's enough to form a reasonable belief she did it

I've had loads of mail like that. I don't have a nanny. You would be amazed what goes through the mail quite adequately. And now we are down to two letters, which "may" have been opened. Go to a tribunal with that and you will be slaughtered. To be honest, I think your suspicion seems rather flimsy. If you don't trust her now, then your only realistic option is to pay her off. But you do not have sufficient evidence to support your belief.

Nicki

Thanks Sangie. I'd hoped you'd respond and I take on board what you've said.

pinkshoes

I'd go with a lockable letter box to prevent access, or basic CCTV to catch her in the act!

You could send yourself some interesting looking letters, perhaps containing UV ink inside one, so a UV light would tell you if she read it...

Spendless

What about a word with your local post office about the state your mail is coming through the letter-box in?

That's if you know and have a local post office it comes from. I mentioned to mine once about post going missing (my P45!) and it turned out our regular postie was on maternity leave and they had people not used to the route.

If I'd been at my old house though and the mail coming from the town centre, I'd have had no chance of shedding any light on a problem.

Would the kids be home when she opens the mail, if she does? Are they old enough/able enough to tell you?

happyandcontented

Do you know why she may be doing this? If I had such suspicions I would also be wondering if she was searching drawers and/or other personal documents so the obvious solution a lockable post box wouldn't really address the issue for me.

This is a trust issue and if you can't trust her then I don't think you have any alternative but to try to end her employment.

lovinituk

Spendless wrote: »

What about a word with your local post office about the state your mail is coming through the letter-box in?

That's if you know and have a local post office it comes from. I mentioned to mine once about post going missing (my P45!) and it turned out our regular postie was on maternity leave and they had people not used to the route.

If I'd been at my old house though and the mail coming from the town centre, I'd have had no chance of shedding any light on a problem.

Would the kids be home when she opens the mail, if she does? Are they old enough/able enough to tell you?

It would be better to talk to Royal Mail about the post seeing as the Post Office have nothing to do with delivering it

bouicca21

If I were steaming open envelopes, I'd make sure I sealed them back up with some glue.

Ozzuk

There are many type of covert cameras available, if you think this is happening, set a few up.