problems at work-

[Dons2008]

Hi Rainbow

 

Wow you certainly have been through the mill.. You deserve a medal for what you've gone through

 

OK from what I can see you look like you have a good case for bullying and/or discrimination or even sexual harassment.. According to Employment law and ACAS guidelines, you should have received a letter detailing why you are being brought to a disciplinary hearing, and the date, time and place, and also the fact that you are entitled to be accompanied by a colleague of your choice or an accredited Trade Union official... Do you have this?

 

You should collect all evidence to back yourself up at the hearing - ie, statements from any colleagues who heard the comments made to you, dates and times of incidents; Sickness notes/letters/appointment cards from your GP/Hospital... Payslips showing Holiday deductions/payments etc... Any letter informing you of changes to your contracts - and of course new contracts that may have superceded your old contract and reflected the changes made (for your hours reduction).. If you have these, then your next move would be to raise a grievance as Ell-enn said above. Your employer has to deal with your grievance in line with their procedures outlined in your contract so be sure to read up on that and seek advice from C.A.B. also to make sure everything is being done correctly by your employer.

 

Keep a written record of everything that happens, in a numbered/bulleted format (as this may form the basis of a witness statement you would rely on if this should escalate to a Tribunal - hopefully it will not, but it's best to have everything in writing so that you can keep on top of things esp. with C.A.B.)

 

A friend of a friend was being racially and sexually harassed by a senior male colleague in a blue chip consualtancy company here in London and she kept a note of every incident/remark/person witnessing everything - the evidence she had prior to her disciplinary hearing (for poor performance - related to the harassment she suffered) was insurmountable and she walked away in November with 3 months' severance pay and a good reference.

 

So do not give up, I hope some of the info is of some help to you.. You have come this far and I hope things turn out ok for you..

 

Keep posting your progress

 

Dons2008

x

[Dons2008]

Rainbow99 -

 

PM'd u.

[Dons2008]

I PM'd her regarding the more sensitive side of her situation (sorry if I caused offence I thought some things were better said between girls)

[Dons2008]

Allwood - if you re-read the original post Rainbow99 mentioned pregnancy.

[Dons2008]

That's ok - none taken (I have skin like a Rhino!!!) Rainbow sounds like she's been through the mill and I thought I would give her some 'girly' support and words of encouragement (I am a caring Piscean )

[Dons2008]

Hi Rainbow99 hope you're ok today

 

As you are going through the hearing, the person chairing the hearing will read out any allegations made against you and ask you if you understand.. They should take you through the allegations - one by one - saying that on X-day you did X and Y.. and talk you through the rest of the procedure.

 

You should be given a chance to answer to each allegation and explain how the incident happened, and admit or deny the allegation. There will normally be somebody from HR there taking notes (these should come out to you as minutes of the meeting at a later date) The points you would expect to be addressed in the disciplinary are the points they have made you aware of, these being your minor errors which you touched on the other day.

 

In your grievance letter, you should outline exactly as Demon x Slash has stated, ie, whats happened, how you were treated and they should write you an acknowledgement letter and invite you to a meeting to address your grievance. You need to check your contract to see what the procedure is regarding this, and also try to get an urgent appointment with the C.A.B. to get the contract checked out and make sure your employer is acting within the guidelines laid down.

 

Apart from that, I would ask anybody at all in the company - even if you may not be friendly with them, doesn't matter, just get somebody in there with you... in capacity as a witness, this way if there is any attempt of a cover-up or to back you into a corner (as I mentioned before) you have a witness to verify you.

 

You definitely have a good case, I hope any of the above helps.

 

Dons xxx

[Dons2008]

Rainbow99

 

Its been a while, how are things? Hope you're ok - please let us all know how you're doing

 

Dons xx