Witness staying quiet

1886

I'm a team leader at work, responsible for three employees. In a nutshell, two of the employees have worked for us for 18 months and the third employee only five weeks

The newest employee was suspended yesterday with allegations of bullying by the other two. He has been pushing one around and threatened to punch him. I wasn't there at the time

Another employee told me today that two weeks ago he saw the guy who has been suspended pushing the person he threatened around but said he's not a snitch so won't say anything

I don't know whether I should mention this as statements are currently being written by the two lads who have made the claims. If I'm going to mention what I know to my manager it needs to be soon as there will be a meeting but is there any point as the witness said they don't want to get involved?

I feel I should as I'm the TL

Thanks

gettingtheresometime

I wouldn't as it's only hearsay.

Stick to the facts.

silverwhistle

1886 wrote: »

Another employee told me today that two weeks ago he saw the guy who has been suspended pushing the person he threatened around but said he's not a snitch so won't say anything

"Snitch"? Is this school we're talking about? Ask the witness at what stage he'd be prepared to be a witness - after ABH or GBH, a serious beating or what?

shortcrust

I would. Without hesitation. You're reporting the fact that this chap told you the info. That's so obviously not hearsay.

'I'm not a snitch' has always sounded pathetic to me.

Edit to add: You're not saying it happened, you're simply reporting what someone told you. That's not gossip.

Wyndham

Hang on... an employee of only 5 weeks has been suspended (not asked about, not given a verbal warning, but suspended) because of something someone else said that didn't have ANY other witnesses?

shortcrust

Wyndham wrote: »

Hang on... an employee of only 5 weeks has been suspended (not asked about, not given a verbal warning, but suspended) because of something someone else said that didn't have ANY other witnesses?

Sounds like two people have made allegations and another person has come forward as a witness but doesn’t want to go on the record (I ain’t no grass!). Surely suspension pending investigation is reasonable given that threats of violence have been reported?

TELLIT01

You need to pass on anything which has been said to you which appears relevant to the situation. You aren't judging whether the information is accurate or not. It's down to higher management to decide whether to involve the person who spoke to you.

JReacher1

Five weeks into a job and 2 employees have complained about him threatening them, bullying them and physically assaulting them.

This guy is certainly going to get dismissed so I wouldn't worry too much about the third witness

Dox

JReacher1 wrote: »

Five weeks into a job and 2 employees have complained about him threatening them, bullying them and physically assaulting them.

This guy is certainly going to get dismissed so I wouldn't worry too much about the third witness

....or..... two mates who've worked together for 18 months don't like a newcomer and decide to gang up on him to get him fired. Unfortunately their dislike of the newcomer is based on colour/religion/creed/sexual orientation.... or the newcomer believes it is.

There is no minimum period of qualifying service to bring a claim for unlawful discrimination if the above holds good. Think about it before proceeding in haste.

xapprenticex

Dox wrote: »

....or..... two mates who've worked together for 18 months don't like a newcomer and decide to gang up on him to get him fired. Unfortunately their dislike of the newcomer is based on colour/religion/creed/sexual orientation.... or the newcomer believes it is.

There is no minimum period of qualifying service to bring a claim for unlawful discrimination if the above holds good. Think about it before proceeding in haste.

.....Or..... the new guy was bullying one of the other guys.

JReacher1

Dox wrote: »

....or..... two mates who've worked together for 18 months don't like a newcomer and decide to gang up on him to get him fired. Unfortunately their dislike of the newcomer is based on colour/religion/creed/sexual orientation.... or the newcomer believes it is.

There is no minimum period of qualifying service to bring a claim for unlawful discrimination if the above holds good. Think about it before proceeding in haste.

This is unlikely as in your scenario there was also a racist third person who witnessed this but didn’t want to make a statement.

One of the problems with this forum is people invent facts and despite no evidence offered you are now claiming this person was dismissed for being of a different race or sexual orientation. It is shameful.