i have spoken to ACAS - to be honest i didnt find the lady very helpful, i have looked and it says wherever possible the person conducting the appeal should be more senior, i honestly feel that it is all being manufactured to make it as difficult for me as possible. The first meeting was held in a public area where people could see me and a staff member walked in .... i know i am up against it as no one will speak out against the owners and to be honest i understand how they feel, many are young and it can be an intimidating place. Dont suppose an ET can take my feelings and perceptions into account !

I have an appeal meeting tomorrow after a dismissal ( unfairly !) I feel that this is a no hoper as the person taking the appeal is less senior that one of the owners who took the original meeting. How can he reasonably ( even if he wanted to) come to any other decision than to uphold the decision. If he goes against the family - where does that leave his role ??? I was part of the management team and i know that they were desperate to reduce costs and I feel that i have been treated unfairly as gettting rid of me was a quick cost saving. I did make a mistake which i admitted but after 14 months of working 6 days a week for almost a year with an unblemished record, i feel they have been really harsh, i feel its that my face doesnt fit. I think they had other options open to them but they just werent interested. There have been conduct issues with another member of management but this was swept under the carpet ( family friend) They have sent me the minutes of my hearing - which i dont believe are a true reflection of the meeting as parts i feel were important arent in there and there are some parts that just werent how they have been reported. I want to ask for the minutes to be accurate but not sure if i can do that. I had felt for weeks that i was being undermined and that one of the owners was grooming a less senior member of staff for my role. I am a grown woman with 22 years flawless work record and to have this on my record ( gross misconduct) will blight my career to say its upsetting me is an understatement. I am devestated, no one from HR called me at all in the 2 weeks that i was suspended to ask if i was okay. I know that going back there would be impossible but i guess i am just looking for some guidance or thoughts on the following ( sorry for the long winded rant - had to get it off my chest.) I have a funny feeling that they wont pay me properly or at all at the end of this month. a) can a less senior member of staff take the appeal b) what can happen if i take this to a ET - will employers see that as a further blight on my character. c) Can i ask them for a breakdown of what am being paid for ? d) Do i need to disclose this up front when I go for an interview or only when i am asked. Any thoughts greatly appreciated.