24-06-2014 8:03 PM
following on from my visit from occ health which went very well.
i do not know if occ health have contacted management and HR yet but all day yesterday i had health and safety area manager shadow me all day clock watching and making little notes in her pad...she was bored witless and i got the impression that she thought she was wasting her time.
it was not nice having her watch me(i hate anyone watching over my shoulder) but i think it went well and i think she was shocked at how busy i was all day.
i even had my two smaller breaks were i take paper work outside and do so i can chill out and have a ciggie and even this she was happy with as i was still working.
so now me thinks it is crunch time and management and HR have to make a decision as to what to do with me....
watch this space.
06-07-2014 9:57 PM
I always find hugs help. I'm glad that you'll have someone with you. Good luck.
06-07-2014 10:10 PM
Cookie, I don't know what to say except that I'm really sorry and you must be suffering terribly. Have you got Union representation? If not, just hving someone else there will be a great support emotionally. However it goes at this meeting, there are always appeals and tribunals and stuff, so try not to see it as all blackness. Easy for me to say, I know. (((((((Cookie)))))))
06-07-2014 10:19 PM
@cookiecookuk wrote:update as of last teusday...NOT LOOKING GOOD.
right the manager has arranged for me to have a meeting with him and HR next wednesday and i was ok with that but then on the same day just as i was getting ready to go home he asked me for 5 mins of my time so in the staff room we went.
he questioned why i had changed toad in the hole ..to sausages in onion gravy.and i explained the the chef and i had talked about this and chef agreed that it is very hard to do for 32 residents and was happy for me to change.
he then asked what right i had to undermine him.again i just said chef and i had spoke and as chef is in charge of the kitchen i thought it was ok..
i getting confused by this time when he dropped a bomb shell.he said he has had the report back from area manager from when she watched me last week and i was in a very tricky place.he then told me several things that she wrote and she has LIED though out her report .i was so angry but said she was lying and i justified each comment he came out with with the truth.
he then finished the impromptu meeting with the comment.you do not have to do something big to be suspended but lots of little things all add up..and i took this as a threat to my job ..i was gutted but he had to go then as they had an emergancy with a resident.
on friday i recieved a letter confirming the meeting with HR on wednesday and in the letter it advised me to have a work collegue or union rep with me.. now i am really worried that they can not get around the ME problem but they are going to stick together and blame me for lots of little things and then gett rid of me.....
very angry and very upset.
i need a huge hug please...
sounds like he mugged you at the end of a tiring shift and a simple query about a change on the menu didnt go through procedure
take as many people in as you can, get clarification on anything you arent clear on,
ask for a copy of anything you feel that you need to see before hand,
have you anything from the H N S person that came to visit?
06-07-2014 10:20 PM
thanks mouse .i am not in the union but if it goes as bad as i think on wednesday i will be straight into a solicitors first thing thursday but i have to work monday and teusday yet and i am not looking forward to it...
06-07-2014 10:24 PM
towery they have the report from my doctor my occ health woman and from area manager from when she watch me last week.my friend who is with me on wednesday says i should have copies of all these before wednesday so i will ask at work tomorrow...plus i have typed out my version of the impromptu meeting stating everything that was said.and have it in a folder with every letter they have sent me...
06-07-2014 10:26 PM
Sending a HUGE hug.
When you were observed was anyone else in the kitchen - if there was could you ask them to give you a written statement of what they saw and heard? That way it wouldn't just be your word against hers.
Perhaps you need to set up CCTV in the kitchen, then there could be no argument about what you have (or haven't) done.
06-07-2014 10:28 PM
Attagirl. Preparation is everything.
06-07-2014 10:44 PM
06-07-2014 10:50 PM
thanks everyone for the support and i will let you know hjow i get on.
the other assistant who was in kitchen with me is on her own sticky wicket as she has had quite a lot of days of sick and i thjink if they threatenher with the say she wilkl keep quiet to protect her own job so not sure how that will go..
06-07-2014 10:52 PM
thats what i get for typing in the dark and not reading before hitting post
how think will
07-07-2014 11:12 AM
cookie...I can't really add anything else, but I can send a HUGE hug
07-07-2014 1:31 PM
Cookie hugs ((())) ((())) to you. Its horrid when you have these things happen at work. Do NOT!!!,,,,let them mug you off or stamp all over you at all!!. Have everything whats gone on down on notes or typed. Get your evidence,,dont forget anything. Head held high Cookie as i know you will.
07-07-2014 2:21 PM
What dreadful management you have. Take your time and think before you answer any of their questions. Good luck .
07-07-2014 3:01 PM
if i am going to loose my job i certainly will not go quietly...
thanks for all the support....
today has been very strained.so now of to sleep for 40 winks or 50 or 60.
07-07-2014 3:40 PM
May be worth contacting the ACAS Helpline... They will be able to advise you on how best to handle the meeting. Good luck.
http://www.acas.org.uk/?articleid=1410
07-07-2014 3:52 PM
Still thinking of you Cookie. Good luck for Wednesday. (((((Cookie)))))
07-07-2014 8:29 PM
Dear Cookie, Lhasa is right about ACAS - I once worked a short spell with them many moons ago. I don't know their 'reach' now, but you should give them a call.
Do you have a voice recorder? - I do, somewhere, now searching but have ''tidied' so much lately it's not where it should be! Record the meeting.
Part of the problem is that, for all the cookery shows on tv, our industry is not recognised as a profession as such. So people who don't cook have no idea of the extent of what you do. This is what I believe anyway.
There is another lady on this board having problems too with employer and I think the way management are behaving in both cases is disgusting. HR are supposed to be there to help their employees. I so wish I could help you in some way, but I send you strength and hope and hugs too, Rainy xxx.
07-07-2014 10:16 PM
thanks rainy.if i remeber tomorrow i will call them after work...
08-07-2014 8:38 AM
Cookie, I am sorry I have just picked up on this thread, Please try and stay calm, write everything down and put your point across clearly, easy to say not so easy to do when you are in a state, the person you are taking with you does she work for the same firm and could she feel intimidated if she backs you, is there anyone else you could take, as you need a witness to what is being said who has nothing to loose. It sounds like you were bushwacked to put you off guard, This is workplace bullying and I agree with other posters, ACAS or Citizens advice need to be called in here as you don't have union representation, (you could contact the union anyway they could advise you what to do they don't normally refuse if you arn't with them).
Nowadays employers think they can get away with more and more of this bullying knowing people are scared of loosing their jobs they think they can get away with anything. I believe they can't sack you unless they have given you verbal and written warnings, unless gross misconduct i.e. stealing or smacking a member of staff (however tempting that might be) not sure of the proceedure, 'adding lots of little things together' smacks of constructive dismissal to me.
Do you have a voice recorder or could you do it on your phone.
We are all with you here.
08-07-2014 8:40 AM
Agree.... good luck cookie!