Seemingly major problem at work...

Affliction · 18 Nov 2009 at 12:12

Thanks for the advice all

I got a letter this morning, unfortunatly it didn't reveal any new information

It's essentially just a long winded version of what I was told on monday, confirming I'm suspended for 4 days with full pay, while they conduct an investigation.

To quote from the letter:
"The suspension is a precautionary measure and is not a disciplinary penalty and is in place pending the investigation of a serious allegation made against you."
Yay.

Meh, time to contact CAB

Affliction · 18 Nov 2009 at 12:21

Stelly said:
Right,

My mates the HR director within GM, and he said its illegal to suspend someone without them knowning the reason for suspension.

That's also what my Dad's manager said, although I suppose it could be different for schools?

Affliction · 18 Nov 2009 at 12:45

Just noticed as well, on the direct.gov website:

Suspension from work

While the disciplinary or dismissal issue is being looked into, your employer may be able to suspend you. You should be told why you are being suspended.

If your employment contract allows you to be suspended without pay, your employer can do so, so long as they are acting reasonably. If your employment contract does not say that your employer can do this, your employer may still be able to suspend you, but with pay. To make it clear that this isn't a punishment, the suspension will be on full pay in most cases.

You keep your employment rights while suspended. If you don't get the right pay you may be able to make a claim to an Employment Tribunal for 'unlawful deduction from wages'.

While suspended, you may be told not to talk to other employees, customers and/or suppliers. If this stops you defending yourself, it may be grounds for appeal. It is up to you whether you listen to this but your employer may take further disciplinary action if you don't.

[[Page Link]]

Affliction · 18 Nov 2009 at 13:01

sanaxe1 said:
"A good man always knows his limitations" - Harry Callahan

It would appear you do not

Hilarious.

shifty_uk said:
Probably already been asked but do you deal directly with students or simply maintain the networks/computers?

Mainly maintaining the networks and computers, there are obviously (rare) occasions where I would be in a classroom fixing a computer while there's a lesson taking place, but generally If I have to be in the class to fix the problem, I wait until break/lunch, or until schools finished, I try to have as little contact with the students as I can to be fair.

Affliction · 18 Nov 2009 at 13:12

lowrider007 said:
"4 days with full pay"

ummm, that doesn't seem very long, I'm still dubious as to whether this is actually anything to do with a student, hopefully it isn't.

I hope you're right.

As for the 4 days, that's confirmed suspension.

Later in the letter it states:

"Suspension will be for as short a period as possible, but will be sufficient to allow a thorough investigation. However, should the suspension continue beyond 14 days, you may request a meeting to have the suspension reviewed."

One would imagine from that that I'm deffinatly suspended for those 4 days, but they can suspend me for longer if they need to?

Affliction · 19 Nov 2009 at 11:58

Stretch said:
Have they told you what the problem is yet?

Nope, still haven't heard from them

mrk said:
It's not impossible, just highly unlikely but...it COULD be a surprise birthday party for you and they need you to not be there while they shift in all the props so you don't see

I think positive at all times

I do like your thinking, but my birthday was last month

Affliction · 19 Nov 2009 at 15:38

Well, I FINALLY got a phone call, all be it just to say I need to go in tomorrow morning for a meeting to discuss the matter.... I shall keep you all informed

Affliction · 19 Nov 2009 at 16:21

Benny06 said:
Sounds silly but as suggested take a witness or record the audio if you can. You don't want to forget what was said or exactly what you've said either.

Recording the audio sounds like a good idea to me. Only question is, do I have to inform them I'm doing so?

Affliction · 20 Nov 2009 at 12:52

Well, I'm back, but minus a job....

Essentially, what happened was a yr 10 girls decided to shout out in a lesson that her mate slept with me, and the teacher reported it.

Thankfully, she admitted it was a lie, so I'm not getting arrested.

BUT because of this, and because I know a couple of the 2nd year 6th formers (I'm only 19, before anyone gets the wrong idea), they decided to give me the choice of being dismissed for inappropriate contact with 6th form students (the 3 I know I was friends with before I even started working there, and the school knew that when they employed me), or resigning with a clean record.

So, essentially, I've just lost my job for doing nothing wrong at all.

Affliction · 20 Nov 2009 at 13:08

Stretch said:
That sucks. I what bassis do you "know" the 6th form students?

The couple I know are friends of friends, so occasionally we're all out having a drink together, but apart from that, and saying hi if I see them out and about or what ever, there's nothing more to it. No relationships or anything like that.

Affliction · 20 Nov 2009 at 13:23

Stretch said:
Tell them you won’t resign, and if they dismiss you'll take the matter further.

I'd rather resign and seek legal advice, than refuse to resign and be given the boot with a mark on my record, to be fair.

Affliction · 21 Nov 2009 at 11:47

Dolph said:
How long have you worked at the school? That would determine somewhat the options that you have if you choose to persue it, as you have very little protection against unfair or constructive dismissal in the first year of employment.

Exactly 5 months =\ And I was on a 6-month probation =[

Spoke to the CAB, they said while I may be able to get legal help on this, they wouldn't reccomend it because of both my age, and the fact I was still in my 6 month probationary period. Which I suppose is a good point, given that if I do get a lawyer involved, the school will most likely say that I was still on probation, so they could get rid of me for pretty much anything

Affliction · 22 Nov 2009 at 16:21

stockhausen said:
Uhhh, no, I don't think so, reread the relevant posts.

As I understand it, the guy has been invited to resign without any stain on his character, has taken up the offer and had not completed his probationary period anyhow. Probably wisest to mark it down to experience and quietly to move on rather than fanning the flames.

That's pretty much the long and short of it.

Resigning with no mark on my record and putting it down to experience seems a good option to be fair, mainly because, If I do take legal action against them, they could quite easily mark it on my record, sell the story to the papers etc, which would just make the situation worse than it already is.

Although, saying that, I'm still in two minds about it, so obviously put that it was forced on my letter of resignation, just incase I do decided to 'take them to the cleaners'.

Affliction · 24 Nov 2009 at 15:02

Thanks for the advice, all.
I did hand in my resignation (making sure it stated that it was forced), just to avoid getting a mark on my record.
I have, however, taken the advice of a few of you, and contacted Grumbledook on Edugeek, who's reffering the details to the relevent people in the county council LA etc.

I shall let you know what's going on