Suspension from work

Helen1993

I have been given a letter of suspension in work today with immediate effect and I'm not quite sure where to go from here. I have been advised that I'm not allowed to speak with anyone that works for the company or any customers of the company. I have just been told to wait untill I hear from the lady who is dealing with it but that can be as late as next Friday. I'm not part of a union as far as I'm aware and I'm not sure if I should be seeking advice or where to seek advise from. I've never faced a disciplinary action before so just in need of some advise as to who I should contact to help me with my case.
Thanks in advance

Savvy_Sue

if you have legal cover on your home insurance you could try that. You could also try CAB.

I presume you have been told why you've been suspended. Decide what your response to that is: you did it, you didn't do it, you did it but you didn't know you shouldn't have done it.

Comms69

Suspension ‘should’ be a neutral act.

I presume there’s been a complaint.

Helen1993

Yes, I was asked about what took place and a statement as such was wrote out and then about an hour later I was given the letter. On the letter it states I have been suspended for the following reasons
- Wilful neglect of safety precautions or Company safety and/or security policies
- Serious breach of Business conduct and Ethics Policy – misuse of company assets, facilities, equipment, supplies and name


I don't have legal cover as I'm still living at home with parents. I'll look into CAB now.

I'm just really struggling to understand how this has been made into a massive situation, the event that I am being suspended for happened in June.

TELLIT01

Helen1993 wrote: »

I'm just really struggling to understand how this has been made into a massive situation, the event that I am being suspended for happened in June.

When the event took place is irrelevant. It may be that it has just come to light. If you have acted as claimed, put your hands up and give any explanation for you actions that you can.
Do not, under any circumstances, say to the employer that you don't understand how it's been made into a massive situation. That would suggest that you think it's trivial and they clearly don't.

Ja7188

Presumably you know exactly what you did that constituted a breach of the guidelines you mention above? It so, worth sharing this if you're comfortable doing so...

Helen1993

Tellit01 - Yea I know not to say that. I held my hands up and said yes I did do it and I didn't think of the bigger picture or consequences.

Ja7188 - I opened up the store an hour earlier, still sticking to the same procedures, in order to get set up for a big charity cake sale we were having. And my colleague does beauty on the side and she did my sister's nails in said shop while I set up the tables etc. In hindsite I know now that this shudnt of happened but like I said, I wasn't thinking at the time, and other colleagues have drank alcohol on the premises before after working hours and nothing had been said.

Ja7188

What are they unhappy about - that you unlocked the store an hour early, or that your sister was inside the store outside of official opening times?

Colleagues having drunk alcohol on the premises is surely irrelevant in this context - this case is about you, not them, and it may not even be against company policy unless they actually get drunk.

Helen1993

I think it was the fact that she was in there outside of working hours and that's what she was getting done. I was off work on holidays and came back and was asked to explain how the day came about and I explained and nothing else was said until about 1 hour later I was handed a letter told to read and sign it and to get my things and leave and hand over my keys.

marliepanda

Usually having colleagues in a store after hours is okay in some circumstances. Having a third party isn’t, unless approved.

lisyloo

We can only guess why this is a big deal - perhaps there is an insurance clause you’ve over stepped.
Whatever it is it’s a big deal to someone and you need to eat humble pie and tell them you recognise it’s not your place to break the rules or decide which ones aren’t a big deal.