Suspended from work for bullying and harassment
Discussion
Hi all,
Firstly Its a differing log in name to my usual, I am not after anonymity just a layer of discretion.
Myself and a colleague have been suspended for bullying and harassment and breach of email protocol.
I have an idea who has made the issues, there has been work emails read by this individual between myself and my colleague. the emails do not:
Name any one
make a sexist or racist slur
Call into the account of the persons professional ability.
They are a bit of a joke between us regarding cashing of flexi-time and the degradation of the atmosphere in the office as the person is very opinionated and outspoken all all mater even if they bear no relevance in the discussion.
I am waiting for a letter inviting me in once the external HR department has checked our emails.
I know I am not going to win any awards for my genius however we have a very lax and robust working environment. to the extent that a senior manager will send pictures of scantily clad/nude ladies to all and sundry including the Directors.
The accuser does not like, read hates my colleague as do a few on the firm. I feel its just been a catalyst to try to get theim to leave and I have been caught up in the crossfire. My current time at the company is approx 18 months.
Whats my best plan of attack, the job role I am not too concerned about as its not brilliant money long hours and poor working conditions. What is bugging me is the slur on my character.
I await the telling off for being a half brained megatard
Firstly Its a differing log in name to my usual, I am not after anonymity just a layer of discretion.
Myself and a colleague have been suspended for bullying and harassment and breach of email protocol.
I have an idea who has made the issues, there has been work emails read by this individual between myself and my colleague. the emails do not:
Name any one
make a sexist or racist slur
Call into the account of the persons professional ability.
They are a bit of a joke between us regarding cashing of flexi-time and the degradation of the atmosphere in the office as the person is very opinionated and outspoken all all mater even if they bear no relevance in the discussion.
I am waiting for a letter inviting me in once the external HR department has checked our emails.
I know I am not going to win any awards for my genius however we have a very lax and robust working environment. to the extent that a senior manager will send pictures of scantily clad/nude ladies to all and sundry including the Directors.
The accuser does not like, read hates my colleague as do a few on the firm. I feel its just been a catalyst to try to get theim to leave and I have been caught up in the crossfire. My current time at the company is approx 18 months.
Whats my best plan of attack, the job role I am not too concerned about as its not brilliant money long hours and poor working conditions. What is bugging me is the slur on my character.
I await the telling off for being a half brained megatard
Just because you didn't name anyone, make a racist comment etc does not mean you didn't bully someone. What one person views as banter the other person see's as bullying or harassment. It can be a very grey area and I think comes down to the effect those actions or comments have on the 'bullied' person.
However it sounds like senior management in the whole organisation need to take far more responsibility for the behaviour of staff. Left to run amok this sort of thing is hugely detrimental to a business.
I would suggest your defence would be centred around this type of activity being common place in the organisation and what you have done is nothing different from what occurs daily from many people up to and including the directors. You would need evidence of this.
However it may be that they have something damming on you, over and above what others do. If this is the case, suck it up. Never try to BS your way out in this situation, it'll only make things worse. Showing remorse goes a long way.
However it sounds like senior management in the whole organisation need to take far more responsibility for the behaviour of staff. Left to run amok this sort of thing is hugely detrimental to a business.
I would suggest your defence would be centred around this type of activity being common place in the organisation and what you have done is nothing different from what occurs daily from many people up to and including the directors. You would need evidence of this.
However it may be that they have something damming on you, over and above what others do. If this is the case, suck it up. Never try to BS your way out in this situation, it'll only make things worse. Showing remorse goes a long way.
Edited by warp9 on Wednesday 29th October 13:13
I am genuinely sorry the 3rd party has had their feelings hurt, I would have voiced the email comments in a jokey fashion rather then put them in text earlier in the year as we all have a laugh. I think the fact that they are in written format and to someone who is not liked has made them read much more aggressively than they where ever intended.
I still think I quiet word and an apology would perhaps have be more relevant?
I still think I quiet word and an apology would perhaps have be more relevant?
THX said:
Soov535 said:
Start looking for another job.
Every email you've ever sent or received will be looked at.
Unless you are squeaky clean you are likely to be out.
So, have a nice day.Every email you've ever sent or received will be looked at.
Unless you are squeaky clean you are likely to be out.
no I don't send emails of swimwear. Like I say the management do.
I don't swear in emails.
Part of me just wants to walk into the meeting and resign, as I feel the atmosphere would make working conditions almost unbearable.
I would just be happier if I had a job to go to that I wanted. I have a couple of options lined up but they would be a stop gap.
We use a 3rd party HR firm which are looking into it.
I don't swear in emails.
Part of me just wants to walk into the meeting and resign, as I feel the atmosphere would make working conditions almost unbearable.
I would just be happier if I had a job to go to that I wanted. I have a couple of options lined up but they would be a stop gap.
We use a 3rd party HR firm which are looking into it.
NorthernMinion said:
We use a 3rd party HR firm which are looking into it.
That could be your saving grace. Assuming they are totally independant and have an open brief, they should pick up on the general e-mail culture within the business at all levels, so even the Senior managers might come in for criticism.That might get you off with maybe a warning.
A long while ago, I was In job where I knew I was going to get turned over, so I had look at my boss' temp Internet files. I found some very nasty stuff: girls + animals being the least. I got canned. Why .? because I was spying on his internet use, and had usedthe company Internet for porn..... If they are going to can you, they are going to can you.
Troubleatmill said:
All you need to remember is that many employers are capable of having every keystroke you type on a work computer tracked.
I've seen a lot of people leave the company due to inappropriate emails.
Indeed. Never ever use the work email for anything not completely related to work. I get twitchy about putting in a smiley. If you must do that sort of stuff at work, do it on your personal mobile phone. I've seen a lot of people leave the company due to inappropriate emails.
ked if they ever look into mine, I've slated just about every fGassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff