Physical assault at work

[funkyrobot]

Have been to the police station today to report this. Got asked what I wish to do and I said I would just like it logging for now.

The PC said I had done the right things to protect myself. She also said it doesn't sound like work have handled it well. She is going to ring work at some point to chase up some details.

It's a good job I didnt retaliate. I could have found myself in trouble if I had reacted badly. Even though she hit me first.

Disciplinary is today for the woman. Will see what the result is.

I do get the impression that work can't understand why I dont want to work with the woman anymore. You have to be very, very careful. I dont want to be in the same building as the woman at work. The police officer said that's a good tactic.

[funkyrobot]

MYOB said:

johnwilliams77 said:

Whats the flipping point in logging it? She would be in serious trouble and needs to action taken to learn.

If I'd known that I could slap a few people with no consequences, I would turn into a serial slapper.

I have spoken to the PC again about this. The reason I didn't ask for more this morning was because I found the whole thing quite daunting (through no fault of the police officer, she was really helpful). She will be back in on Sunday so will call me back then to decide on my options. She outlined them as below:

1. Leave it as logged
2. Ask the police to speak to the woman who slapped me
3. Ask for it to be escalated officially and taken to court, if I am willing to go to court

I am finding the whole thing quite nerve wracking. Maybe hard to understand for some, but that's how I feel.

I will decide the option I wish to pursue for Sunday.

If I do decide on option 3, does anyone know what this will involve?

Edited by funkyrobot on Friday 31st January 09:40

[funkyrobot]

johnwilliams77 said:

Option 3 - no brainer. You were assaulted, get her charged. Even if you find it daunting, do it for the safety of others around her. She is an animal.

Yes, but if it goes official, what's to stop her saying I did something to her to cause it? I did nothing at all, but what if she says she was just reacting to me?

[funkyrobot]

WinstonWolf said:

funkyrobot said:

johnwilliams77 said:

Option 3 - no brainer. You were assaulted, get her charged. Even if you find it daunting, do it for the safety of others around her. She is an animal.

Yes, but if it goes official, what's to stop her saying I did something to her to cause it? I did nothing at all, but what if she says she was just reacting to me?

Absolutely not 3. Leave it as logged, start the new job, put it all behind you and forget about it.

That was my train of thought this morning. Time to move on. It's logged. As much as I would like to see her punished for it, what will it achieve? It's more stuff to worry about.

Will see how the disciplinary goes today. Would be nice if I get an update from work, but I'm not holding my breath.

[funkyrobot]

Further to this, it's also transpired that the manager who witnessed the incident said something to her partner about it. He happens to work with us, but wasn't in when the incident happened. He has been asking my colleagues about what happened on Saturday.

I know this because my colleagues have been asking me what happened on Saturday, because the partner of the manager has been asking questions.

I still can't get my head around the fact that the general manager of the place seemed puzzled when I said I can't work with the woman anymore. 'Oh dear, that's a shame, can't you?' were her words.

Edited by funkyrobot on Friday 31st January 10:41

[funkyrobot]

Thanks all.

Looks like I'll take option 2. Let the police have a word with her and leave it at that.

They should be in touch with work anyway to confirm some details.

Disciplinary should now have taken place. No updates from work yet though.

[funkyrobot]

Jasandjules said:

funkyrobot said:

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

Is the policy noted as contractual or non-contractual? Usually the phrase "may" allows for different circumstances to be dealt with as it tends not to be possible to set out every fact or event which could apply.

'This disciplinary procedure does not form part of your contract of employment '.

Does that answer your question ok?

[funkyrobot]

Ok. Have had a read through disciplinary procedure. This is the key line for me:

'In all gross misconduct cases, dismissal will be without notice or payment in lieu of notice.'

Doesn't that mean the woman should now be sacked?

The company deems 'any act or attempted act of violence' as something they can terminate your employment for.

[funkyrobot]

johnwilliams77 said:

funkyrobot said:

'This disciplinary procedure does not form part of your contract of employment '.

Does that answer your question ok?

I think it does - they are not force to suspend the employee but make a judgement based on the circumstance.

Does the latest thing I have posted mean they can avoid sacking her too then?

[funkyrobot]

johnwilliams77 said:

Yes, I believe so. They ultimately have the final decision and have left that statement open so they can ask depending on circumstance. The contact is written in such a way it helps them in situations like this. You need to move on and I think that's what you have planned?

Yes. I have a new job that I start a week on Monday. Supposed to be in work today but thinking of calling sick as this slapping thing has really buggered my anxiety issues up. I haven't slept properly all week.

[funkyrobot]

garyhun said:

Funky, based on your own admission that you are not the most mentally robust individual, would it not be best for your own sanity to simply start the new job and forget all this?

New job starts a week monday.

I will be telling the police tomorrow to just keep the issue logged.

I officially finish the current job early next week. I will be able to fully move on when that is done and dusted.

[funkyrobot]

elanfan said:

OP have the company not let you know the result of the disciplinary from yesterday? Sound like an absolute shower of st. They’ve got their little coven and are protecting one of their own. I take it there are few men working there.

No update at all.

There are equal men and women. But all senior and management positions are women. And the group of women there are very 'close'.

[funkyrobot]

johnwilliams77 said:

Just call in sick and relax for a couple of days?

Yes, its looking like that. Its only part time anyway so only due in today then some half days next week.

Just to add to the lack of letting me know, all management staff were in yesterday so that is no excuse.

[funkyrobot]

I have just had to visit work to pick up a letter relating to my issue.

Basically, they are covering their backs in a big way. They state they have done all they could to stop us working together. They have conveniently missed out the bits that state what happened after the slap (as in the manager didn't ask the woman to leave).

They have stated they are taking formal action against the woman but can't tell me what.

Despite me stating in my resignation letter I am leaving because I dont feel safe, they have said I am leaving because I'm pursuing better hours. They don't want me to go.

What a disappointment eh.

Companies really do protect their own.

I'm a bit annoyed to be honest.

[funkyrobot]

Well, at least they have admitted they asked me if it was ok to work with the woman. That is in the letter.

Oh well, time to move on eh.

Edited by funkyrobot on Saturday 1st February 10:55