GF up on allegation of gross misconduct :(

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Hi guys, would appriciate a little advice here.

A little backgounrd first ,my GF works as a librarian/fill in teacher. She is on a perminent contract, whereas most of the other fill in teachers were on 1 year contracts. Now about a month ago, the ones on a 1 year contract were all told they wouldn't be renewed next year, and she was told she was going to be moved down a pay grade.

Now last week, she was called into the deputy heads office and told to go home until Tuesday where she is to be investigated into a charge of gross misconduct relating to missapropriation of school funds. What happened is that each month, the library purchase a small amount of books from a company. She is responsible for taking the money into a bank and paying the bill. This month, it had slipped her mind until her boss gave her a follow up letter the compay had sent. She immediately went to the bank and payed it and returned the reciept.

The next day, she was called into her bosses office and basically sent home until Tuesday when there is going to be an investigation meeting, where she will find out if she is to face the charge of gross misconduct (which will probably lead to dismissal). Now she has been there 2 years, and this is the first time the bill has ever been paid late, in addition, she is responsible for a £5000 anual budget that has always been run fine.

The ammount we are talking about is peanuts really - £38, and if you knew here, you would know there is no chance she would ever try and steal money. It is my opinion, that this is a case of constructive dismissal as they really wanted her out with the people who were all on one year contracts. She's really upset with them and is looking for a new job anyway. The problem is that if found guilty, it will severely damage her chances of getting another job in education because of the refference.

Any advice gratefully received :)
 
Advice? The only advice that's going to make any difference is seeking legal counsel..go to the citizens advice bureau then seek a solicitor.
 
as well... make sure her bosses are aware that she in no way accepts the charge and she will fight it to the ends of the earth.

She'll probably end up with a pay off
 
Slam62 said:
She'll probably end up with a pay off

If she is sacked for gross misconduct though, that will seriously make it difficult to get another job in education, which is what she wants.
 
starscream said:
If she is sacked for gross misconduct though, that will seriously make it difficult to get another job in education, which is what she wants.

Sounds like they're just trying to get rid of her considering that they didn't renew the other employee's contracts. Contact the CAB maybe?
 
Get on to her NUT/NASUWT rep, even if she joins retrospectively, you want someone behind you. They will also have experience with this sort of thing.
 
Can you really get dismissed for 'Gross misconduct' which is nothing but an honest mistake? Surely that's a case for unfair dismissal, it's a complete joke if you can get fired for doing something late - it's not like she stole the money, which is what misappropriation implies.
 
Union backing now, if it goes breasts up industrial tribunal from what you've said.
 
Sounds like a case of "constructive dismissal" to me.

(not that I am an employment lawyer, but I have had previous experience of failed disciplinaries against me, so spent a lot of time looking into it).
 
as others have said, unions and a solictor, the only way to move forward, let it be known that she/you are willing to see this though and will not give in, get public about it, send information to the papers (local may be interested).
 
Actually I'd ring her place of work and tell them you're calling from the local paper, regarding a call from <insert union name here> that backed by the union <gf'S name> is going to sue them for slanderous comments regarding her integrity. And constructive dismissal. Ask them for a quote.

See what they've got to say to that :D
 
kitten_caboodle said:
Actually I'd ring her place of work and tell them you're calling from the local paper, regarding a call from <insert union name here> that backed by the union <gf'S name> is going to sue them for slanderous comments regarding her integrity. And constructive dismissal. Ask them for a quote.

See what they've got to say to that :D

LOL :D
 
I'd advise making a lot of noise. It's pretty obviouse what they're trying to do. If they really had a problem with her forgeting to pass on the money they'd have made an issue of it when the boss gave her the follow up letter instead of leaving it till later.

Another reason to make noise is that news can travel between schools. If it's known in other local schools how she's been treated she may not be prejudiced for other jobs as badly.

Good luck Mrs Starscream.
 
The unions may not represent her. Almost certainly will do in a case like this but if she isnt a member then they "Officially" Insist that she is a paying member for six months. Its to deter people just joining to get represented then cancelling their membership. As I say she propbably will be represented but just be mindfull of it
 
Unfortunately, as she is is LCT (Library manager) and an unqualified (although she has a masters) teacher, she is not eligable for NUT/NASUWT membership :(

K.C. Leblanc said:
Good luck Mrs. Starscream
Thanks :) Miss Starsream for the moment though ;)
 
starscream said:
Unfortunately, as she is is LCT (Library manager) and an unqualified (although she has a masters) teacher, she is not eligable for NUT/NASUWT membership :(


Thanks :) Miss Starsream for the moment though ;)
shes your SISTER ASWELL?
 
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