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Hi, I've been suspended for the past five weeks due to an allegation of (I think) gross misconduct. I work for a large bank and have been accused of not sending letters when I should have been. This is based on nine complaints being received for cases I've dealt with since January 2015. Based on the number of cases I work (at least 10 per day) these are not big numbers. Due to a rather shoddy internal audit process (or lack of one) there is no proof I didn't send them and equally, no proof that I did. It's their word against mine. I've worked for this company for 11 years and am excellent at my job and very passionate. None of my colleagues would say otherwise. There are also witness statements from two colleagues who claim to have heard me say I don't send letters (both hearing the same conversation, not two separate conversations). I know what was overheard and I know it's been taken out of context - due to the number of returned letters we receive, I made a (perhaps silly) comment
that I don't see the point in sending these letters when customers don't receive them anyway. One of the witnesses confirms hearing the conversation but assumed I was joking (he knows me better) and the other witness claims she believed I was being serious.
Anyhow, the suspension was so they could investigate more of my cases to see how many there were. The initial investigatory meeting stated there were seven complaints. The subsequent investigation found two more. I received my invite to disciplinary which stated 'the meeting is to determine whether disciplinary action should be taken against you in accordance with the Group Disciplinary Policy'. A copy of this policy was also included with my invite. There was nothing further stated regarding the possible outcomes of this meeting.
I read their disciplinary policy and it states 'the invite letter WILL detail possible outcomes including, where it may be an outcome, dismissal for gross misconduct.' But my invite letter is very vague in that respect. The invite letter also gives details on what I am alleged to have breached but there is no mention of gross misconduct (or even misconduct) in any part of the letter. The only reason I'm assuming it's being treated as gross misconduct is because I was told this is what I was being investigated for in the letter which confirmed my suspension.
I've read on various sites that the invite letter should always include possible outcomes of a disciplinary hearing and that dismissal should never come as a surprise to someone. Based on the letter I've received, am I to assume that whilst they may impose other sanctions, they are no longer considering dismissal? I got the impression from the suspension letter and investigatory meeting that they expected to find loads of evidence against me, but they've actually only identified two more cases. Considering the total number of cases I work, if I was genuinely not sending letters (and I am being accused of deliberately not sending them) then they would have found three or four times the amount they found!
that I don't see the point in sending these letters when customers don't receive them anyway. One of the witnesses confirms hearing the conversation but assumed I was joking (he knows me better) and the other witness claims she believed I was being serious.
Anyhow, the suspension was so they could investigate more of my cases to see how many there were. The initial investigatory meeting stated there were seven complaints. The subsequent investigation found two more. I received my invite to disciplinary which stated 'the meeting is to determine whether disciplinary action should be taken against you in accordance with the Group Disciplinary Policy'. A copy of this policy was also included with my invite. There was nothing further stated regarding the possible outcomes of this meeting.
I read their disciplinary policy and it states 'the invite letter WILL detail possible outcomes including, where it may be an outcome, dismissal for gross misconduct.' But my invite letter is very vague in that respect. The invite letter also gives details on what I am alleged to have breached but there is no mention of gross misconduct (or even misconduct) in any part of the letter. The only reason I'm assuming it's being treated as gross misconduct is because I was told this is what I was being investigated for in the letter which confirmed my suspension.
I've read on various sites that the invite letter should always include possible outcomes of a disciplinary hearing and that dismissal should never come as a surprise to someone. Based on the letter I've received, am I to assume that whilst they may impose other sanctions, they are no longer considering dismissal? I got the impression from the suspension letter and investigatory meeting that they expected to find loads of evidence against me, but they've actually only identified two more cases. Considering the total number of cases I work, if I was genuinely not sending letters (and I am being accused of deliberately not sending them) then they would have found three or four times the amount they found!
sounds to me that they are lining this up for dismissal on the basis of code of conduct (gross misconduct through various policy breaches) and supporting it my breakdown of mutual trust contract of employment! The whole nine yards! Good luck. T :doggieyes:
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