Just been suspended, disciplinary tomorrow.
Discussion
I have just returned from a weeks leave and been hauled into the office and suspended.
The company I work for has changed a lot in the 5 years (and three weeks) that I have been there, unfortunately for the worse.
A couple of months ago, I do some work away from home, and was expecting to be paid extra for it, and was not. Obviously unhappy about this, I made some comments on Facebook, which were seem by one of my Directors, who hauled me up, told me he was sorry that I was unhappy. Later that day, I was paid the amount I was expecting, and was obviously happy.
I was told "next time, come and talk to us, don't use Facebook"
A couple of weeks ago, I was having a conversation on Twitter with a former colleague and he asked how things were, I replied that *** (company name was still s
te)... I was advised by my manager that the post appeared on a twitter feed that the company uses, and this was why I was being suspended.
We have all been under stupid amounts of pressure for the last 3 months, and everybody blows their top sometimes, this was just my way of letting off steam.
Do I have a defence?
The company I work for has changed a lot in the 5 years (and three weeks) that I have been there, unfortunately for the worse.
A couple of months ago, I do some work away from home, and was expecting to be paid extra for it, and was not. Obviously unhappy about this, I made some comments on Facebook, which were seem by one of my Directors, who hauled me up, told me he was sorry that I was unhappy. Later that day, I was paid the amount I was expecting, and was obviously happy.
I was told "next time, come and talk to us, don't use Facebook"
A couple of weeks ago, I was having a conversation on Twitter with a former colleague and he asked how things were, I replied that *** (company name was still s
te)... I was advised by my manager that the post appeared on a twitter feed that the company uses, and this was why I was being suspended.We have all been under stupid amounts of pressure for the last 3 months, and everybody blows their top sometimes, this was just my way of letting off steam.
Do I have a defence?
Eric Mc said:
Isn't it time people recognised the dangers of moaning publicly about their places of work?
+1.You got off lightly the first time and did it again.
Maybe a written warning and record on file would be more appropriate, maybe not ... We have one side of the story and don't know what the exact contents of the tweet was.
Good luck with your disciplinary and hope it goes well for you.
Eric Mc said:
Isn't it time people recognised the dangers of moaning publicly about their places of work?
This, sorry.As a solicitor I strongly advise that before anyone voices criticism of anyone or any entity they consider the phrase "Never write down what only ever needs to be said" first.
It is so easy to forward an e-mail to the wrong person, forgetting that one 4 messages ago was attached, or to think that what you put on here, Facebook, Twitter, etc, is only going to be seen by people who will accept your side and will agree with you saying it publicly.
So you moaned about them in the public domain, they took it on board, were lenient with you, resolved the problem and them specifically told you to not do it again. So you went ahead and did it again.
You were warned and you chose to ignore it. No, you do not have a defence. If you have a problem, then deal with it in the appropriate manner, not broadcasting it on the web. You shouldn't really be looking for a defence as such, you should be thinking about how you will apologise and assure them that it will never happen again.
The best you can hope for will be a slap on the wrists and a warning.
You were warned and you chose to ignore it. No, you do not have a defence. If you have a problem, then deal with it in the appropriate manner, not broadcasting it on the web. You shouldn't really be looking for a defence as such, you should be thinking about how you will apologise and assure them that it will never happen again.
The best you can hope for will be a slap on the wrists and a warning.
I deleted myself from Facebook after recieving an 'off the record warning' from my area manager at the time for something I put on there (and I hadn't even metnioned the company name) which someone working for the same company shopped me in over.
It's just not worth the hassle TBH. If I want to moan about work, I do it to peoples faces now. Much more theraputic.
It's just not worth the hassle TBH. If I want to moan about work, I do it to peoples faces now. Much more theraputic.
Ok.. Take on board what everyone above has said, what I will say in my defence is, I intended to send the message as a direct message on twitter, was replying to a question from a (former) colleague. Did not intend the message to be in the public domain, am still quite new to Twitter, so if I am guilty of anything, it's user error.
Ok.. Take on board what everyone above has said, what I will say in my defence is, I intended to send the message as a direct message on twitter, was replying to a question from a (former) colleague. Did not intend the message to be in the public domain, am still quite new to Twitter, so if I am guilty of anything, it's user error.
hounslow1967 said:
Ok.. Take on board what everyone above has said, what I will say in my defence is, I intended to send the message as a direct message on twitter, was replying to a question from a (former) colleague. Did not intend the message to be in the public domain, am still quite new to Twitter, so if I am guilty of anything, it's user error.
Honestly think they'll still kick you in the nuts for it.Check your employee handbook, could this be classed as Gross Misconduct?
DId you recieve any verbal (documented) or written warnings last time? Or just a 'chat'?
hounslow1967 said:
Ok.. Take on board what everyone above has said, what I will say in my defence is, I intended to send the message as a direct message on twitter, was replying to a question from a (former) colleague. Did not intend the message to be in the public domain, am still quite new to Twitter, so if I am guilty of anything, it's user error.
No, what you are guilty of in not one but two counts of Gross Misconduct. You got let off the first time, and should have swallowed the medicine.I don't understand people like you. You know you did wrong, got a reprimand and still went and did the same thing again.
Do you think you're bombproof or something?
hounslow1967 said:
Ok.. Take on board what everyone above has said, what I will say in my defence is, I intended to send the message as a direct message on twitter, was replying to a question from a (former) colleague. Did not intend the message to be in the public domain, am still quite new to Twitter, so if I am guilty of anything, it's user error.
Fair enough, but this will not save you, only they know if they are willing to keep you on but i would suspect the 'serious grovelling' would be top of their requirements from you at that meeting. They, TBH most likely could not care less how you came to do it, it's that you did, after having your wrist slapped before bout a similar thing.No form of electronic communication and be regarded as being 100% private, even if you have pressed all the right buttons and ticked the correct boxes.
It isn’t just social media though, it is also anything to do with IT were you have to be so careful. I know a person who was disciplined for using a flash drive to take work home with them, despite the fact that there was nothing in the Handbook or their contract specifically against it and that they were doing work in their own time for the benefit of the company.
hounslow1967 said:
Just a (light hearted) chat to be honest. I am happy to accept a bking, just don't want to be unemployed.
The problem is that it wasn't a light hearted chat, it was a written communication, available for inspection by almost anyone who wanted to see it.king, just don't want to be unemployed.I understand the anguish you must feel right now but there is little you can do about it now other than go into full grovel mode and, this time, learn from your mistakes if they are prepared to give you a third chance.
Well.....
You don't seem to learn about publishing incriminating posts on the internet do you....?
Just a quick search through your posts as (thatone1967) shows that you are not happy with your company sick scheme, you are looking for a new job as you are updating your CV and that your company has changed so much in the last five years.
On top of the Facebook and Twitter incidents I would sack you too.
Sorry but you should learn that what ever we can see so can your boss. They probably think you are an ungrateful moaner and someone else would be better in their business.
Sources;
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Sorry but that's how I see it.
BB
You don't seem to learn about publishing incriminating posts on the internet do you....?
Just a quick search through your posts as (thatone1967) shows that you are not happy with your company sick scheme, you are looking for a new job as you are updating your CV and that your company has changed so much in the last five years.
On top of the Facebook and Twitter incidents I would sack you too.
Sorry but you should learn that what ever we can see so can your boss. They probably think you are an ungrateful moaner and someone else would be better in their business.
Sources;
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Sorry but that's how I see it.
BB
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