Suspended from work

dlpfan2019

Southend1 wrote: »

They are unlikely to represent you on a pre-existing case but you really should join an appropriate union today to ensure you don't get stuck without representation in future! Not to mention all the other benefits of union membership.

Thanks I have done already now, lesson learned on that one!

dlpfan2019

Hi all,

I have received a letter today saying i have been suspended as funding meant for the charity from a Trust has not arrived at the charity, due to the nature of the investigation that will follow I have been suspended and will be contacted in due course

Does this mean that this is likely a criminal/ charity commission investigation now? I am still none the wiser as to what has occurred or is it the case that internal investigations will happen in the first instance?

Undervalued

dlpfan2019 wrote: »

Hi all,

I have received a letter today saying i have been suspended as funding meant for the charity from a Trust has not arrived at the charity, due to the nature of the investigation that will follow I have been suspended and will be contacted in due course

Does this mean that this is likely a criminal/ charity commission investigation now? I am still none the wiser as to what has occurred or is it the case that internal investigations will happen in the first instance?

It could do or it could just be internal. Only they can tell you that.

All you can do is wait. Suspension is (supposedly) a neutral act and it is of course costing your employer a significant amount of money, as they are paying your wages for no work. It is in their interest to progress the matter, either way, as quickly as possible.

If there is to be a disciplinary hearing then you need to be given reasonable notice and generally have an opportunity to see what evidence they have in advance, so that you can prepare your defence.

Only you know if you can do any preparatory work, in anticipation of a hearing, whilst you are waiting.

kazzah

I assume the Charity themselves have asked the funder why the funds have not been paid ?
or is it possible they think the funds have been paid and misappropriated?

jonnygee2

I assume the Charity themselves have asked the funder why the funds have not been paid ?
or is it possible they think the funds have been paid and misappropriated?

It's probably better for the OP to remain extremely vague here and not answer questions like these, and stick to questions about the employment process.

There could be an allegation of a serious criminal offence behind this.

dlpfan2019

Hi just to say I have had an letter now for a meeting on Tuesday which is a "fact finding mission" and if disciplinary proceedings are needing subsequently I will find out following the meeting

Is it me or is that slightly different from my original suspension/ letters?

I am assuming a fact finding interview is better than a disciplinary one?

Is there anything I should be concerned with a fact finding meeting or just be as honest as possible

TELLIT01

dlpfan2019 wrote: »

Hi just to say I have had an letter now for a meeting on Tuesday which is a "fact finding mission" and if disciplinary proceedings are needing subsequently I will find out following the meeting

Is it me or is that slightly different from my original suspension/ letters?

I am assuming a fact finding interview is better than a disciplinary one?

Is there anything I should be concerned with a fact finding meeting or just be as honest as possible

Fact finding should be precisely that - collecting the facts around the issue to see if there have been any breaches in working practice which would justify disciplinary action. If a potential issue has been brought to their attention, they have a duty to investigate.
I would certainly say simply be honest and explain the situation as you understand it.

dlpfan2019

TELLIT01 wrote: »

Fact finding should be precisely that - collecting the facts around the issue to see if there have been any breaches in working practice which would justify disciplinary action. If a potential issue has been brought to their attention, they have a duty to investigate.
I would certainly say simply be honest and explain the situation as you understand it.

Thanks that is what I am planning on doing,

Its funny how wide ranging the advice has been, have put this on two forums and been advised elsewhere to call them on Monday to determine if it is just an internal investigation ( not sure they have to tell me ) and to tell them you can only answer no comment if not and to delay until the external investigations have occurred

Contrary to that I have been told its highly unlikely to be anything other than internal at this point hence the fact finding meeting

I am content in as much as I know I have not done anything wrong so will go with the honesty is best policy unless you feel I should be asking about external investigations? I am not sure how you could do that without looking like you have something to hide!

ohreally

They'll set out on a fishing expedition with a view to going to disciplinary. Be on your guard.

dlpfan2019

ohreally wrote: »

They'll set out on a fishing expedition with a view to going to disciplinary. Be on your guard.

Its where the difficulty lies I suppose within being as honest as possible but not giving them something to jump on, its the vagueness of it all that bothers me more than anything

What further complicates the matter is that I have been offered another role, if I accept and serve notice while I am on suspension how do I make it so that it does not appear as an admission of guilt and if the investigation takes over a month - cannot see how- but can I leave and take a job while on suspension? Will my reference be okay as they have not completed a disciplinary etc

Am I better off letting them know on Tuesday that I have decided to leave but evidence it was offered to me before the suspension began?