Hello all. The plot thickens on this one. I mentioned in my responses about the number of techs who have left because they can't work with this manager. One of them was in a supervisory capacity. He contacted me last night and informed me that this manager told him to try and 'trip me up'. He was also asked to do it to three others as well. He eventually became so sick of it that he stepped down as supervisor. He's going to do a bit of digging about specifics and get back to me. If his allegations can be proven, this manager is stuffed. I'll keep y'all informed. Thanks for the help so far.

Hi Stu. You are correct on all but one of those points. He did advise me that I could be accompanied, but I already knew that. I'm especially interested in the conflict of interest bit though. When I appeal this warning, I understand that he can't be involved, it has to go to another manager not involved in the disciplineries, also what about the actual warning letter.? I never received it (I'll bet next months wage that they are still sending mail to a previous address)

The turnover of staff since he darkened our doors two years ago is unreal. If I took this other less paid job, I wouldn't have got the FWW, but I'm staying put. I'm 52 years old and I won't be bullied or intimidated by him nor anyone else and I think that is where part of the problem lies. If he starts banging and shouting, I don't stand there wringing my hands, staring at my feet, I start banging and shouting back and he doesn't like it. I'm not confrontational by any means, but I know when I'm right and I will fight my corner.

Hi there. I'm going to have a look at ACAS tomorrow because I'm almost certain that an employer has to give you a lot more than two days from the notice of disciplinary to the actual meeting. I believe he has to send you written confirmation first. As to a company handbook..? I'm convinced that this firm make it up as they go along. They've been taken to tribunal several times and they have lost every single time, but I shall look into that in depth when I start back on Monday.

Ok.. I'm a motor mechanic and I'll try not to use technical terms. The first warning was over a battery on a customers car. The customer complained that the battery was flat and brought the car back to us. The next morning I went out and the car started fine, suggesting to me that the battery was okay and just needed charging. I checked the battery for amps draw (to see if anything was draining the battery) that test proved okay. I next checked the charging system and that too was okay, then I put the battery on charge overnight. The customer came to pick the car up the next day and started kicking off because we didn't replace the battery. We bought a new battery for it and sent him on his way, then the inquest started. I was asked what tests I had done so I told him all the above, he then asked if I'd drop tested it to see if it was holding it's charge. I told him that I didn't because we didn't have a proper tester, and besides, I maintained that the battery was all right. He said that I'd failed to follow workshop procedures and was giving me a formal written warning. There is no workshop procedure, this clown works in hindsight. We only replaced the battery because this was the customer from hell, rude, arrogant and demanding. So to sum up, I said the battery was ok, he said that I didn't check it properly, but to issue a written warning over a battery is harsh to say the leas.

Yes it is the same manager

Hi Guys. In November last year, I received a formal written warning for the most trivial of offences. It basically boiled down to a difference of opinion between my manager and myself. I didn't officially appeal against it because I thought it too laughable to bother with at the time, plus I never actually received the letter (still haven't) On Wednesday 11th January, I was suspended from work pending a disciplinary on Friday 13th January. This is for an unrelated, but (in my view) equally minor offence. At today's hearing, he first of all asked me if I'd received the letter that he'd sent on the 11th. I replied that I hadn't (probably still in the post yet) My manager carried on with the hearing regardless, I put my case and he added his perspective. The upshot of it was that he wanted me to move to another job within the company, a job I don't want and a job that attracts less pay. I refused that offer so basically he's issued a final written warning (I bet I don't get that one either) This warning I am definately going to appeal. This manager hands out written warning like confetti, and for the most trivial reasons. I have worked for this company for six and a half years, and up until November, my work record has been exemplary. On both occasions, I believe that he hasn't given me enough time to prepare my defence properly (two days and no formal letters) On both occasions the problems have been a difference of opinion between him and me. I am now fearful for my job because all it will take is another minor offence for me to lose it. Has anyone got any tips on what to put in this appeal letter.? Also given the timescales and the lack of any formal letters, how do I stand legally if this thing goes to a tribunal. Thanks for any advice. Alex

Thank you all for your help thus far. I shall send them an SAR this week and will post again when I have got some results. Much appreciated, thank you.

Thanks for the posts so far, much appreciated. Some rough sums indicate that they have taken about 17.5% of my net earnings on both occasions. I guess that my next step is to request that they supply me with every piece of correspondance from 2000- to date. It staggers me that they can simply plunder your wages simply on the basis that they believe that you owe them this amount, without giving you the opportunity to prove that this is not the case. Keep the tips and pointers rolling folks, and thanks again

Hi all and Happy New Year. In November, my employer was sent an attatchment of earnings order from my local council relating to a property that was repossessed in 2001. The order was issued in 2001 and it came out of the blue. I have had absolutely no notification of these arrears despite never leaving the borough and have paid council tax to them ever since in my present property. The only thing I can remember from 2001 is that I was off work for eight months with depression, which is how I came to eventually lose my home. My question however is this.. Although I understand council tax is not statute barred, can they use an enforcement order issued in 2001 where there has been no contact from them for nearly ten years. They have taken £300 from Novembers wage and a further £200 from this months which totally wiped Christmas off the map and has left me virtually penniless now until the end of January. They gave me absolutely no opportunity to dispute their figures, they slapped the order on and took the money. I would be most grateful for any advice Thank you.