Job advertised when suspended

[claire74]

Hi,

I'm currently suspended from work and I noticed during the first week that my job had been advertised with 3 job agencies stating that it was for a 'minimum of 6 months'.

I called one of the agencies using a fake name to ask for details and they confirmed who the employer was and that the post was indeed for a minimum of 6 months and was likely to be longer.

Are they allowed to do this? I know they will say that they need an 'extra pair of hands' during the period, but still it cuts like a knife to see it looks like they have made their mind up without even finishing any investigation or holding a hearing yet.

Any guidance appreciated.

[enquirer]

Re: Job advertised when suspended

Can you prove that it's your particular position? If you can, then as you say, that suggests very strongly that they are setting you up for dismissal.

I would be incliend to start laying a paper trail now. Get hard copies of the advertisement from all the agencies. Obtain a detailed job description, too. If you really wanted to be impish, you might even begin the application process.

[Tools]

Re: Job advertised when suspended

Hi Claire, what are the circumstances around your suspension ? No need to name the company.

[claire74]

Re: Job advertised when suspended

Hi,

To be honest after 4 weeks they are yet to clearly outline the allegations to me. I have just attended 2 interviews. They stated 'general management duties' but said it could amount to gross misconduct in my initial letter so I have to guess and make assumptions.

We had a big restructure last year with lots of staff out and lots in and they removed a layer of management doubling my workload as I had mine and my bosses work to do. I gather by the questioning, that they feel that I didn't conduct inductions properly or fully for the new staff or those changing roles, which may have led to staff not fully following some procedures. This was after an article hit the press on a case - which they have questioned my actions on, but my actions were based on my interpretation of the procedure.

2 weeks after the suspension they have done an audit in this area and found there to be failings in staff following it or recording things properly. I think they also feel that we have not been conducting sufficient spot checks on staff which could have prevented issues. Both myself and my colleague were both suspended.

Something else has subsequently come up more serious, but the job was advertised prior to the interviews with staff when it sounds like this came up.

HR told my union rep off the record, the day I was suspended that their legal advice was not to suspend us, but that the directors went ahead and did what they liked. Then the job was advertised 3 days later.