Suspended from work, where do I stand?

[Will1988]

Hi all,

 

I'm looking for some advise on where I currently stand. I assume for legal reasons I can't name the company I work for but their a huge media corporation who have been in the news as of late...

 

When coming into work as part of my shift I was called over at the entrance gates by a supervisor. He told me that I would be going to see the manager (after he finished his cigarette) I ask what for and he said he could not say anything. I then said that's unfair but he just replied with sorry. When I finally got to the meeting I was ask if there was any problems last night. (I work nights) I replyed with nothing major, just a few machine issues that I resolved. The manager then put a calculator on the table which was broke. He ask me if I knew anything about in which I replyed yes. I admitted I had broken it and would replace it. I was then told to my shock that I didn't seemed bothered but I was already shaking like leaf just being in the meeting.

 

I was then told I would be suspended to clear my head and that I will need to give a statement to the supervisor afterwords.

 

The supervisor said he had a few questions to ask me but said I do not have to anwser if I dont wish too. I agreed to answer and to be compliant with the situation. By this time I was already in tears and finding it hard to talk. I was asked if I broke the calculator to which I replyed honestly with yes. I then told him how I broke it and that my intention was not on purpose. During the meating wit the supervisor the manager phones him to find out more as to why it happended. I was the told I would be asked personally question which again I could refuse. I agreed again and continued further on. I was asked if I had personal problems at home which I don't. I was asked if I had any anger issues which I replyed yes in my childhood. I lost my mother due to illness which affected me while at school. At this point I could not hold back my tears any more and burst out crying. I stricly said that I do not want this to be an excuse because I know that is not case to be. It was just the stress I was under with the situation and the reminder of my past, which upset me more. At this point my supervisor appologised for upsetting me and said the meeting was over.

 

I was then taken back to see the manager which he just stated that the situation will be investigated and I will be contacted shortly. I was told not to contact anyone at work while this takes place. I was escorted off site and this is the last I've heard.

 

Since last week I have not been able to eat or sleep and feel as low as I have ever been in my life. I feel that everyday is the longest day and all I can think is the worse. I only live with my father but I'm too scared to upset him and put him through what I'm going through. He got me the job there and I would hate to let him down over something like this. I have booked an appointment to see my GP as I feel so depressed and stressed with it all.

 

I really don't know what to do right now, I want to contact work but I've been told not to speak to anyone but I also want to tell my dad but don't want to upset him.

 

Do I have the right to ask whats going on and if I have officially be suspended on gross misconduct terms?

 

I apologise for the ever so long essay but I just feel it's best to explain the hole situation.

[RachelMD]

How long have you worked there?

Did you break the calculator on purpose, or was it an accident?

What type of calculator was this? Is it valuable, or just a standard, cheap calculator? (if you can find the type, or something similar, and post a link that would help).

 

This all seems hugely disproportionate, that's why I ask what type of calculator it was. Even to break something intentionally isn't such a big deal.

 

Are there other issues at work? Anyone dislike you, any grievances?

Are they looking to make redundancies?

[Sidewinder]

Are you in the GPMU? If so, have you spoken to them?

 

Much would seem to hinge on the manner in which the breakage occurred. If through a relatively simple accident, then that is one thing, but throwing it against a wall would be entirely different.

 

If they are classing this as Gross Misconduct (as it could be with misuse of company property) then they are within their rights to suspend, although from your account they have been a little remiss with correct disciplinary procedures.

[Sidewinder]

Are they looking to make redundancies?

 

Having just lost a huge chunk of business, quite possibly!

[RachelMD]

Having just lost a huge chuck of business, quite possibly!

That's what I was thinking.

 

:attention::attention:

ATTENTION EVERYONE

 

RACHEL'S ABOUT TO MAKE A JOKE

 

Suspending someone for breaking a calculator just doesn't add up.

[honeybee13]

Groan, that was terrible, Rach.

 

HB x

[RachelMD]

I thought it was one of my better ones.

[Will1988]

Hi Rachel,

 

I've worked there for over 3 years now. I didn't break the calculator intentionally, It was a cheap and basic one which always got buttons stuck or failed to respond to key input. I tried to remove the button that was lodged but the side cracked on the case.

 

About a 2 years ago I had a grievance with another manager. He would always pick at me for things. For example, I left my bag on a table which I didn't know was not allowed and he shouted at me to remove it. The following day my work colleague had his bag in the same spot and he didn't even get pulled when the manager walked passed it. I was then urged to make a complaint as my work colleagues where witnesses as to how he spoke and treated me. I went to management to complain about it as I felt I was being victimized. Since then he has always spoke to me with politeness but I know he still holds a grudge about it.

 

I work for two manager's. The one who suspended me I've never had a problem with and get on well with, but the owner of the calculator... well you've guessed it, was the one who I made a complaint about...

 

There has been no words of redundencies in my department as I work on the engineering side of things. With the way things are on Sundays, There is a big gap in work so I would understand if they where thinking about.

Edited August 2, 2011 by Will1988

[Will1988]

Are you in the GPMU? If so, have you spoken to them?

 

Much would seem to hinge on the manner in which the breakage occurred. If through a relatively simple accident, then that is one thing, but throwing it against a wall would be entirely different.

 

If they are classing this as Gross Misconduct (as it could be with misuse of company property) then they are within their rights to suspend, although from your account they have been a little remiss with correct disciplinary procedures.

 

Hi Sidewinder, I'm not in the GPMU. There is a long history with unions and my company which can causes problems but I will look into it.

 

I'm 99% they will class this as gross misconduct for the reason you stated.

[RachelMD]

Well this seems ridiculous.

An ordinary calculator being broken, even if it were deliberately, is not reasonable grounds to suspend someone pending disciplinary action.

 

I'd suggest putting in a formal grievance as this stinks of harassment.

[Will1988]

Would it not be deemed as ''misuse of company property/equipment'' meaning gross misconduct?

 

Who would I put a formal grievance too? the manager who owns the calculator? I know it's his but I don't that he has personally found it and said something to the other manager. The thing is I put in the bin and the only person who knew it was there was my work partner. My gut feeling tells me he was asked where it was and said what I told him the night it happened.

[RachelMD]

Did you 'misuse' it? Sounds like it was knackered anyway.

It's just wholly disproportionate. Wrecking a piece of machinery costing thousands to repair? Yes.

 

You need to complain to the manager of the person who's brought the disciplinary.

[Will1988]

I can't help but think they won't see it that way. It will be more like ''If you broke that what else will you break''

 

I will contact a work supervisor tomorrow then to find out the actual ground I'm standing on with all this.

[Will1988]

Hi all, I just wanted to give an update on the current procedings of my issue. Just looking for opinions and a bit more advice now.

 

I had my meeting today. Went prepared with my evidence and put across my case. I stood by what I had said and put more forward they was not expecting. I complained that the issue seemed to be more then just a broken calculator and stated that the other company want me out. I work for a company who work for a client (there machines/software)

 

Beofre I even put my case across they stated that the client does not want me working there.(proves my point they want me out) I said strait away this is unfair as I've yet to give my defence. I then went on saying that about 4 months ago my father recieved a phone call from a rep who works for the client saying, ''they want me out and that if i ever make a complaint about one of his managers again he would dirt my name around the trade'' My dad was good friends with this chap until he made these threats.

 

I was told that my employee has to respect their clients wishes and if they don't want me working there they cannot not do anything about it. There other options they said they have is alternative work in the building or dismissal for (SOSR) i.e. client pressure.

 

Can this be a fair statement to make for means of dismissal and if I was to take this to Tribural would I have a good case with the threats that were made against me?

 

I should find out the outcome tomorrow but as it stands it's just his word against mine and he was not even witness to the incident.