can i be fired?

[ben oseman]

hi guys, i was witness to a fight outside of work which involved a collegue. i told the police that i didnt see who hit who first(which is the truth) but i suspected that my collegue was hit first because his teeth had been knocked out. now when my boss asked me to give her a statement i wrote that i saw the other man hit my colleague first. its now going to crown court as my collegue is acused of stamping on the other man. can my boss sack me for giving her false account of what happened

[ostell]

Re: can i be fired?

I wouldn't worry about the boss, that is the least of your problems!! Your statement may be read out in court.

[ben oseman]

Re: can i be fired?

+ Reply to Thread so what if it was read out in court, its not a police official statement.

[bluebottle]

Re: can i be fired?

hi guys, i was witness to a fight outside of work which involved a collegue. i told the police that i didnt see who hit who first(which is the truth) but i suspected that my colleague was hit first because his teeth had been knocked out. Now when my boss asked me to give her a statement I wrote that I saw the other man hit my colleague first. It's now going to Crown Court as my colleague is accused of stamping on the other man. Can my boss sack me for giving her false account of what happened

If this incident did not happen in the workplace or during working hours, then your boss does need to tread carefully, especially as the police and CPS are involved, evidenced by the fact that the matter has now been committed to the Crown Court.

Did this incident occur within the workplace or during working hours, including on your way to work or on your way home from work?

[enquirer]

Re: can i be fired?

... i told the police that i didnt see who hit who first (which is the truth) but i suspected that my collegue was hit first because his teeth had been knocked out.

... now when my boss asked me to give her a statement i wrote that i saw the other man hit my colleague first.

So, two contradictory statements. The questions posed by Bluebottle are key. You need to establish whether or not she has a legitimate interest.

... can my boss sack me for giving her false account of what happened?

Perhaps, depending on your answers to the above.

Were you placed under any pressure to give the answer that you gave to your boss? Were you guided or prompted in any way? It will be interesting to see what use she makes of your statement.

[ben oseman]

Re: can i be fired?

firstly, thanks for the replies. it happened in my street several hours after work. i work in a care home. he was acused of stamping on the man and i told my boss he didnt do that but i told her that the other man hit my colleague first when in reality i cant be 100% sure who hit who first.

[IanM]

Re: can i be fired?

hi guys, i was witness to a fight outside of work which involved a collegue. i told the police that i didnt see who hit who first(which is the truth) but i suspected that my collegue was hit first because his teeth had been knocked out. now when my boss asked me to give her a statement i wrote that i saw the other man hit my colleague first. its now going to crown court as my collegue is acused of stamping on the other man. can my boss sack me for giving her false account of what happened

Was there any pushing and shoving at the start of the fight?

[bluebottle]

Re: can i be fired?

As this was not in the workplace and not during working hours, including on your way to or from work, and the matter is sub judice, your boss has no business whatsoever asking you to write a statement for her. Also, as a witness in a criminal case that has been committed to the Crown Court, on indictment, what on earth did you think you were doing discussing the matter with your boss or providing her with a statement? I know this may sound harsh, but both you and your boss could find yourselves in serious trouble over this. It would be better if the statement was destroyed and your boss exercised some patience and waits until the trial is over. Until then, she should not do anything that could prejudice your colleague's right to a fair hearing.

[ben oseman]

Re: can i be fired?

yes there was and thats all i saw, then i turned around to try and attach my dogs to lamp post. during this time one of them threw a punch. i told my boss that my collegue wasnt the one who threw punch but told the police that i couldnt be sure but my colleagues teeth were on floor

[ben oseman]

Re: can i be fired?

As this was not in the workplace and not during working hours, including on your way to or from work, and the matter is sub judice, your boss has no business whatsoever asking you to write a statement for her. Also, as a witness in a criminal case that has been committed to the Crown Court, on indictment, what on earth did you think you were doing discussing the matter with your boss or providing her with a statement? I know this may sound harsh, but both you and your boss could find yourselves in serious trouble over this. It would be better if the statement was destroyed and your boss exercised some patience and waits until the trial is over. Until then, she should not do anything that could prejudice your colleague's right to a fair hearing.

i did not discuss the issue with her, my colleague told her and then she asked me to write down what happened. i have no idea why she asked me to write a statement. i may discuss the issue with her tommorrow but i fear for my job if i do.

[bluebottle]

Re: can i be fired?

i did not discuss the issue with her, my colleague told her and then she asked me to write down what happened. i have no idea why she asked me to write a statement. i may discuss the issue with her tomorrow but I fear for my job if I do.

Ben,

Was your boss aware, at the time, that the matter was going through the courts? If this is the case, did she also know you were to be called as a witness for either the Defence or Prosecution?

[ben oseman]

Re: can i be fired?

she was aware it was going to court but unaware whether i was defence or prosecution.

[IanM]

Re: can i be fired?

Best solution, go tell the truth to whoever you need to tell it to and live with the consequences now rather than later!

[ben oseman]

Re: can i be fired?

great i could lose my job then

[bluebottle]

Re: can i be fired?

Ben,

Before you speak to your boss again, I would advise you to speak to the police officer who is dealing with the case and be guided by them. I am afraid I cannot, in any way, condone what you did or what your boss did. Just hope that you have not prejudiced the entire case, otherwise, you could be in serious trouble. If you haven't, you may be invited to attend the police station so the police officer can kick your backside around the station yard a number of times. Pray that is a boot up the backside.