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[AncientAlien]

Hello looking for some clarification if possible.

I am about to go into an investigation at work regarding some comments that were made in a private WhatsApp group.

It appears one of the people who was in the WhatsApp group and as active as everyone else has taken it upon themselves to screen shot and pass these to the senior managers which has instigated investigations against myself and others.

My comments are from around February 2019 around 8 months ago. This person has only just raised these concerns however and has ample chance to speak to me personally if offended and hasn't done so nor have they referred the issue to their Line Manager at any point either.

Just to clarify that my comments are in no way directed at this colleague and my comments relate to somebody else and I have named them within the thread.

I have no issue in admitting my mistake discussing another colleague however I would like to know given the length of time ago this actually took place is this issue subject to the normal laws of the disciplinary process?

Is there anything that can be done given my colleague has had 8 months to bring this up to HR, me and Line Manager and never has until now?

It appears that this colleague was equally happy to banter in the group and post jokes etc and then suddenly became offended by it.

Point to note that this colleague is somebody who I would consider a friend as well as a work colleague and who is continuing to carry on like nothing has happened however the remainder of the group chat are very aware of who has shared our private conversations.

I'm not quite sure how I stand so any help or advice would be appreciated

Thanks

AA

[jaguarsuk]

Firstly, they are clearly not your friend and should be treated as such.

The length of time from you saying it took them reporting it might only have a bearing if there might be some other reason it is suddenly brought to light, such as you competing for a promotion or the like. In other words if you can demonstrate that their actions are malicious as opposed to genuine.

You need to look carefully at what your company social media policy said, WhatsApp is an encrypted form of communication and therefore anything said in that group has only been seen by participants in that group and/or those they have shown it to. Therefore you are not publicly bringing the reputation of the company into disrepute.

I think the nature of the comments might add context to what we're dealing with here, such as did you comment on the looks of someone or how hard you perceive they work? What specifically is your colleague (they are not your friend remember, friends don't sell you out like this) offended by?

[ULA]

At etyud not sure that posting on a thread nearly 3 years old is very productive.

[Huxie]

ETYUD and HEASRA are both spammers and have been reported.