Investigation - taken over a year!

[paulfoel]

Completely spurious claim raised by a few junior member of staff. Without going into detail, they were doing something that they knew they shouldn't be and I reminded them of their responsibilities. Seems they took it badly and have got their heads together and formulated a complaint about something they've made up. Unfortunately, it happens a lot and staff know they can cause an awful lot of trouble by doing this.

That was a year ago. In that time, meetings get cancelled because someone is off sick or on holidays. HR are completely useless as are the union. I just want it sorted out. It just seems that no-one is particularly interested in getting this sorted.

Last straw was this week. I employed for a job in another area (with same employer). Went well and they offered me the job, pending reference from my manager. Unfortunately, manager had no choice but to advise the new department of the investigation. Offer was withdrawn. Although they deny this is the reason its obvious.

So because of this I've lost a job. What can I do to escalate this to force employer to get his sorted?

[ULA]

Re: Investigation - taken over a year!

I am sorry to hear that you have been apparently under investigation for so long without any conclusion.

I suggest that it is time you get some confirmation as to what is actually going on since it may have had an impact on you getting a job in another area. Therefore you should write to (and keep a copy of the letter) or email your HR department and ask them the following questions:

1. Is there still an investigation being conducted into allegations that have been made against you?
2. If so why is it taking so long i.e. a year?
3. If so what is the current status of the investigation
4. What is the anticipated timescale in which you can expect to hear back about the outcome of the investigation.

That may start to shed some light on the situation or at least highlight to HR that this is unresolved and needs to be dealt with.

[paulfoel]

Re: Investigation - taken over a year!

I am sorry to hear that you have been apparently under investigation for so long without any conclusion.

I suggest that it is time you get some confirmation as to what is actually going on since it may have had an impact on you getting a job in another area. Therefore you should write to (and keep a copy of the letter) or email your HR department and ask them the following questions:

1. Is there still an investigation being conducted into allegations that have been made against you?
2. If so why is it taking so long i.e. a year?
3. If so what is the current status of the investigation
4. What is the anticipated timescale in which you can expect to hear back about the outcome of the investigation.

That may start to shed some light on the situation or at least highlight to HR that this is unresolved and needs to be dealt with.

Thanks Ula. Already done that - the answers I got were.

1. Yes we're hoping to finalise in next week or so (been saying this since january).
2. Because necessary managers are off sick. (Seems one person is off and it grinds to a halt, the come back then someone else is off on hols/sick so it never gets done).
3. See (1)
4. See (1) - promises all the time then more excuses as above.

HR do not seem in the slightest bit interested. It looks very much like they seem happy to blame people being off causing the delay. Having spoken to them a number of times they're attitude is "sorry but its not our fault x is off sick, then y was on leave etc".

[ULA]

Re: Investigation - taken over a year!

When did you last correspond with HR about this?

[paulfoel]

Re: Investigation - taken over a year!

Every week for the last 3-4. Before that every few weeks to chase. So last time would have been about a week ago. Same old same old from them. Someone else off sick now.

[ULA]

Re: Investigation - taken over a year!

I would suggest that you formerly write to your HR department expressing your disappointment that you are still in a situation of being "under investigation" which has continued for a year and that you are finding this situation untenable and insensitive. Therefore if they do not confirm the answers to the questions raised within 5 working days then you will have no option but to take the matter further.

My view would be that if this does not get their attention then you raise a grievance.