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I told my boss I was suffering from stress as a consequence of an infatuation with a more junior member of staff. I have since been declared temporarily unfit for work by a psychiatrist on the grounds of depression. I believe I have a form a bipolar disorder which had not previously been diagnosed.
I named the staff member in question and told my boss I had tried sending her a gift (which was returned) and then sent her a number of e-mails, containing apologies and statements of intent to sort myself out. Nothing lewd or of a sexual nature occurred. The member of staff concerned had not made any complaint, nor had reported the incident herself but following my confession my boss interviewed her and she told him what had happened, apparently with considerable reluctance. My boss then told me he had to carry out a formal investigation. This contributed significantly to my level of stress and brought me to the point where I felt I had no option but to resign. My doctor, however, advised me that I was not in a fit state of mind to make such a decision and I did not follow through with it, so I am now on sick leave.
Is it reasonable to insist on a disciplinary investigation when no complaint was made and the event only came to light as a consequence of a confession? In the absence of a complaint, what form might such an investigation take? For example, would I be obliged to provide evidence against myself? I understand that if my condition constitutes a form of mental disability my employer is required to make "reasonable adjustments" not only to working conditions but to disciplinary processes as well. What might be thought "reasonable" in these circumstances?
I named the staff member in question and told my boss I had tried sending her a gift (which was returned) and then sent her a number of e-mails, containing apologies and statements of intent to sort myself out. Nothing lewd or of a sexual nature occurred. The member of staff concerned had not made any complaint, nor had reported the incident herself but following my confession my boss interviewed her and she told him what had happened, apparently with considerable reluctance. My boss then told me he had to carry out a formal investigation. This contributed significantly to my level of stress and brought me to the point where I felt I had no option but to resign. My doctor, however, advised me that I was not in a fit state of mind to make such a decision and I did not follow through with it, so I am now on sick leave.
Is it reasonable to insist on a disciplinary investigation when no complaint was made and the event only came to light as a consequence of a confession? In the absence of a complaint, what form might such an investigation take? For example, would I be obliged to provide evidence against myself? I understand that if my condition constitutes a form of mental disability my employer is required to make "reasonable adjustments" not only to working conditions but to disciplinary processes as well. What might be thought "reasonable" in these circumstances?
