Physical assault at work

[funkyrobot]

Monkeylegend said:

funkyrobot said:

I've started proceedings on a divorce. I've been assaulted at work. Today I found out I have a new job.

I can't understand why anyone would think I've made this up. All but the last item aren't a lot of fun at all and I've asked for help (which I'm gratefully now receiving).

I went to the doctors last night. They want to put me on medication because my brain chemistry is wrecked and I am on my sixth bought of depressed behaviour in a short space of time. I am dealing with a lot at the moment. I haven't slept properly for ages and I've been an emotional wreck. It's been very hard keeping positive in-front of my daughter. I'll admit that I broke down yesterday in the GP surgery car park and cried my eyes out.

I've dragged my heels on the divorce side of things. But that has been monumentally tough to deal with.

Maybe if I said I bought a supercar and couldn't prove it people could rip into me. Then again, this is the internet and you run the risk of being ribbed. It's the way it is.

Maybe you find it helps but to be honest why would you want to expose so much of your personal life to a whole world of strangers. We all have issues but generally we just deal with them and get on with life.

I know people will say it helps to get things off your chest and others insights can be helpful, but you are on a different level, living your whole life out on here, which is why posters react to you as they do.

Maybe some time out to sort all your issues would be more beneficial to you. The negative responses you continually get cannot be helping you, you seem to be spending all your time trying to convince a whole load of strangers that you are telling the truth, but for what purpose?

You should be concentrating all you energy on getting your life and health issue sorted out, all this crap is just one big unhelpful distraction for you.

You can then come back at sometime in the future to say you have negotiated an amicable divorce, you still see your daughter, you have a job you like, you have somewhere to live, your health issue are improving, and I am sure we would all be pleased for you.

I agree with what you are saying.

However, the help I have received on here has been brilliant. I do want to find a way to repay those who have helped.

Also, if someone else on here is going through a similar situation, it gives them something to reference.

I'm not ashamed to share information about mental health etc. I feel it's important.

Forums are here for discussion and help. People wouldn't think twice about posting for help with vehicle maintenance, computer problems etc. Why have I shared so much? Because it's important to know the full picture.

Some of us have trashed coping mechanisms and need a bit of help. Some of us also have very small social circles, don't use things like Facebook and have only places like this to turn to.

I have a lot of useful stuff of this thread to work with so will be doing that now. Starting with a meeting today with my manager if she is in.

[funkyrobot]

Pothole said:

funkyrobot said:

vaud said:

OP, progress with the police. You have nothing to lose. You can always withdraw it later. It is important that the evidence is secure before the CCTV gets deleted. They are on your side as the victim.

Ok. Scared of this in case it affects my reference for the new company.

Are you for real? How can it possibly?

Ok. If it's not something that can have a knock-on effect, I'll go for it. Please note that my current place of work does not seem normal and doesn't conform.

[funkyrobot]

vaud said:

Pothole said:

funkyrobot said:

vaud said:

OP, progress with the police. You have nothing to lose. You can always withdraw it later. It is important that the evidence is secure before the CCTV gets deleted. They are on your side as the victim.

Ok. Scared of this in case it affects my reference for the new company.

Are you for real? How can it possibly?

OP, the company won't give to a bad reference because you informed police that you were assaulted at work by one of their staff.

They should be more worried about you seeking compensation... which when you get some headspace, there are tons of lawyers who will review your situation on a no-win no-fee basis.

e.g. https://www.legalexpert.co.uk/how-to-claim/assault...

Ok. Thanks.

[funkyrobot]

Just one more quick question for now.

Is it worth adding the slap event to my reasons for leaving the current company? Or just leave it off and state other stuff like pay, working hours etc?

[funkyrobot]

[funkyrobot]

Jasandjules said:

OP if you are resigning and wish to leave open the possibility of a constructive dismissal claim then word your resignation carefully.

Thanks.

I'm just resigning with a simple letter stating I'm off and when I'm due to leave at the moment. To be fair, I'm resigning so early in the process that I guess anyone could look at it and say 'well, you didn't even give the company chance to fix things'.

All I want to make sure is that the assault doesn't get brushed under the carpet and the relevant action is taken relating to that. They might think that because I'm leaving, they can just fob me off and leave things.

I've been in work today to try and talk to someone. Nobody is available to talk to me until I start my shift later. You would have thought someone would be a bit proactive and made sure I had an update. Oh well, this is what I'm dealing with.

[funkyrobot]

vaud said:

funkyrobot said:

Thanks. I will call them now. Have some time before I pick my daughter up from school.

funkyrobot said:

I intend to make sure the loose ends of this are tied up and I will be reporting it to the police. I dont have to work with the woman much longer though.

I thought you were on the phone to them yesterday? Stop delaying.

You will be pleased to know that I'm currently on the phone to them and in a 4 person queue.

Edited to add - logged with incident number. Have to go into police station on Friday to give a statement.

Edited by funkyrobot on Wednesday 29th January 12:39

[funkyrobot]

Jasandjules said:

OP if you are resigning and wish to leave open the possibility of a constructive dismissal claim then word your resignation carefully.

I've done some reading on constructive dismissal. It seems that it's a good idea to get a grievance in before hand. I have no time to do this.

As you have said, if I do consider this route I need to state constructive unfair dismissal in my resignation letter.

I really need to speak to someone at work because if they expect me to just go in as normal tomorrow and work alongside the woman who hit me, that isn't on and I'm going to state constructive unfair dismissal as a reason for leaving. Can't talk to anyone until I'm handing my notice in though. Bah!

[funkyrobot]

WinstonWolf said:

funkyrobot said:

Jasandjules said:

OP if you are resigning and wish to leave open the possibility of a constructive dismissal claim then word your resignation carefully.

I've done some reading on constructive dismissal. It seems that it's a good idea to get a grievance in before hand. I have no time to do this.

As you have said, if I do consider this route I need to state constructive unfair dismissal in my resignation letter.

I really need to speak to someone at work because if they expect me to just go in as normal tomorrow and work alongside the woman who hit me, that isn't on and I'm going to state constructive unfair dismissal as a reason for leaving. Can't talk to anyone until I'm handing my notice in though. Bah!

You've got a new job. Personally I'd let go of this, it's one less thing to worry about

Yeah, you are right. Christ, it's a mine field isn't it.

I do think the slap event needs mentioning in my resignation letter though.

[funkyrobot]

WinstonWolf said:

funkyrobot said:

WinstonWolf said:

funkyrobot said:

Jasandjules said:

OP if you are resigning and wish to leave open the possibility of a constructive dismissal claim then word your resignation carefully.

I've done some reading on constructive dismissal. It seems that it's a good idea to get a grievance in before hand. I have no time to do this.

As you have said, if I do consider this route I need to state constructive unfair dismissal in my resignation letter.

I really need to speak to someone at work because if they expect me to just go in as normal tomorrow and work alongside the woman who hit me, that isn't on and I'm going to state constructive unfair dismissal as a reason for leaving. Can't talk to anyone until I'm handing my notice in though. Bah!

You've got a new job. Personally I'd let go of this, it's one less thing to worry about

Yeah, you are right. Christ, it's a mine field isn't it.

I do think the slap event needs mentioning in my resignation letter though.

Mention it, forget about it and get on with the more important stuff. I tend to apply a "will this matter in ten years?" filter to life

It may matter sooner if she stabs someone at work.

[funkyrobot]

WinstonWolf said:

funkyrobot said:

WinstonWolf said:

funkyrobot said:

WinstonWolf said:

funkyrobot said:

Jasandjules said:

OP if you are resigning and wish to leave open the possibility of a constructive dismissal claim then word your resignation carefully.

I've done some reading on constructive dismissal. It seems that it's a good idea to get a grievance in before hand. I have no time to do this.

As you have said, if I do consider this route I need to state constructive unfair dismissal in my resignation letter.

I really need to speak to someone at work because if they expect me to just go in as normal tomorrow and work alongside the woman who hit me, that isn't on and I'm going to state constructive unfair dismissal as a reason for leaving. Can't talk to anyone until I'm handing my notice in though. Bah!

You've got a new job. Personally I'd let go of this, it's one less thing to worry about

Yeah, you are right. Christ, it's a mine field isn't it.

I do think the slap event needs mentioning in my resignation letter though.

Mention it, forget about it and get on with the more important stuff. I tend to apply a "will this matter in ten years?" filter to life

It may matter sooner if she stabs someone at work.

As long as it's not you let someone else worry about it, it's not your problem any more

You'll also have bragging rights if it ever hits Spotted so it's a win win

I've put a note in my letter stating that in relation to the recent assault, I no longer feel comfortable or safe working there. That will do.

[funkyrobot]

WinstonWolf said:

funkyrobot said:

I've put a note in my letter stating that in relation to the recent assault, I no longer feel comfortable or safe working there. That will do.

Problem solved, you've now got one less thing to deal with

Indeed. That's nearly halved my major worries for this week.

[funkyrobot]

Europa1 said:

funkyrobot said:

I've done some reading on constructive dismissal. It seems that it's a good idea to get a grievance in before hand. I have no time to do this.

As you have said, if I do consider this route I need to state constructive unfair dismissal in my resignation letter.

I really need to speak to someone at work because if they expect me to just go in as normal tomorrow and work alongside the woman who hit me, that isn't on and I'm going to state constructive unfair dismissal as a reason for leaving. Can't talk to anyone until I'm handing my notice in though. Bah!

OP, constructive unfair dismissal isn't a thing. You can have constructive dismissal or unfair dismissal. Constructive dismissal is a lot harder than people think.

Thanks for pointing that out.

Yes, it looks like very hard work.

[funkyrobot]

jshell said:

Pothole said:

Are you for real?

Most of us have already 'hazarded a guess...'.

Yeah, my questions can seem odd to some. It probably comes from the anxiety disorder I suffer from which means I worry about and overthink things.

[funkyrobot]

CX53 said:

I can't help but think it's ridiculous to keep posting in the thread if you don't believe the guy.

If it's genuine, and I absolutely have no reason to disbelieve any of it, then the poor bloke could do with some support, not a load of grief.

It is what it is eh. T'is the internet after all. Can be both useful and silly.

[funkyrobot]

Thanks.

Back into the grinder tonight, but I will be armed with a resignation letter.

Just need to sort out tomorrow as that is my next shift with the slapper. Erm, that doesn't sound right.

[funkyrobot]

V8mate said:

You were only told of the job offer today? Do you have it in writing? A call usually precedes a letter to find out if you'd be minded to accept.

I wouldn't quit until signed contracts had been exchanged.

Thanks. It's a good point.

They are sending something over to me via email now.

[funkyrobot]

Quick update.

Slapper is in disciplinary meeting at end of week. All I have been told is that she can't understand why I've made such an issue of it. She said I seemed fine after the slap. Wow!

Notice handed in. They dont want me to leave. Want me to come back for the odd session.

I said I couldn't work anymore with the slapper. Manager looked mortified when I said that.

Have a copy of grievance procedure. Awaiting disciplinary procedure.

Have asked for cctv footage to be retained and told manager I've been to the police. She looked a bit perplexed at this.

Told manager about my anxiety and how it's been affected. I dont think she understands.

Will know more on Friday. Slapper has been moved from shift tomorrow and my last supposed day with her is Monday. She will need to be moved from then to.

Will update when I know more.

[funkyrobot]

I have a copy of the company grievance and disciplinary policy now. Will have a proper read later.

I can see a lot of 'may do this' after a quick scan. The company may say that because of this they didnt have to suspend the woman.

[funkyrobot]

Johnnytheboy said:

How physical assault isn't gross misconduct, I really don't know.

Unless you are a boxer, or riot policemen or something.

It is classed as gross misconduct in the policies. But it also states that the company 'may' suspend the employee.