Suspended from work?

jibs

Firstly does your company have a union as this would help. Take your medical notes etc.. with you and as much explanation as you can. Try calling citizens advice for more information.

danceswithwolves

You should have been given a verbal warning first then a written one if you hadnt changed for the better. If you've got a contract look at it, it should tell you about disciplinary procedures. Sounds wrong to me, but some companies just do what they like. Stand your ground, if they threaten to sack you-say you will take them to an unfair dismissal tribunal.Best of luck!

sheiprk

you have to explain your reason, and show your medical reports...i think they will understand you,,,goodluck

Julia H

I suggest you go sick NOW. Then get a sick note from your doctor. Think it's after 4 days. Phone in, saying you are too ill to attend work and any meetings.

I don't know why you are desperate to keep this job. They don't seem like compassionate people to be working for.

Paul S

thats way over the top, ok so you havent been giving 100% for the full working day for only 2 days, wow. no biggy,

have you given your employer the letter from your doctors?

when you meet with them, remind them of your unblemished conduct since you started, obviously explain to them about your problems and depression.

also check your contract about their disciplinary procedures to see if they have got it wrong. it should state in the contract about verbal warnings, warning in writing, then supension.

if you find they havent followed their procedures, take you contract in with you to point this out to them, but beware as this may cause a little friction with them as employers dont like to admit their wrong.

also point out to them that you could of taken 2 days sick and they would of had no work from you at all, but you didnt call in sick and came in and also stayed later than the normal hours.

good luck

Bardic

Well, it does indeed seem harsh, but to be fair they are expecting you to do the job you're paid for, and call centres are cut-throat businesses. Had you discussed your problems with your boss? I'd guess not, or you would have mentioned it.

From the company's point of view you've been under-performing for no apparent reason, so tomorrow is your chance to explain what has been happening and produce your doctor's letter. Hopefully, when they realise the situation they might be able to find you less taxing work to do for a while, or give you "gardening leave" to sort yourself out; however I'm sure you appreciate that if they cannot accommodate you they do need someone in your post who performs up to requirements.

Wish you luck.

Judy

It's legal for them to do what they did, although I agree it sounds harsh. When you have your hearing, explain what has been going on, and remind them of your good record up until now.

Good luck.

Mazanb

I do not think you should attend such a meeting with little to no notice. Inform them that you are unable to attend due to ill health and would like the meeting postponed until you are up to attending. They cannot do much if you inform them either in writing or by email.(Get a receipt) Then when you feel up to it, rather than search for legal representation at such short notice (you could end up with an idiot as my husband did) Go to your local Citizens Advice Bureau, they will be able to tell you your entitlements. They cannot sack you for being depressed, Best of luck.

Michelle T

Hi,

As a kidney patient myself, I am very sorry for your troubles.

Employers are b*****ds, unfortunately, they don't care about your personal problems, and they are not legally required to. Having said that they still have a duty of care, and good employers should recognise this responsibility.

Having worked in a call centre, I know it can be an extremely stressful and demanding environment to be in. Getting call after call, with no breather in between, chained to your work station, and expected to deal with a high volume of calls, even if the callers are irrate. You are very much treated as an object and not a person.

Are you sure you really want to keep this job? To be honest, they don't seem all that great to work for. After all, they could of warned you that they would be monitoring you. As for suspending you, well you have passed your probation, it's your first offence, if it's not been going on for very long, then they could have warned you, even formally, and then advised you, that they would be monitoring you at intervals. It seems to me they have given you no opportunity to change your behaviour, and are going down the gross misconduct route.

I think that you need to put your hands up, tell them exactly whats been going on, in particular the issues with your father, and that he needs a kidney transplant. Tell them a number of times that you are sorry, it will not happen again, you understand the actions they have taken, you have had difficulty concentrating, but you now realise that you HAVE to clear you mind of everything else, and concentrate 100% on your work. Tell them it will never happen again, and impress on them, how much you enjoy your work, and that you do not wish to lose your job, as you enjoy what you do so much.

If you tell them all of this, they will think you are keen, and enthusiastic, and will hopefully lift your suspension, and perhaps just give you a formal warning of some kind.

Best of luck with everything.

laplandfan

Firstly I am sorry you are going through such a bad time both personally with your unwell father and work.
I think you are pre-occupied with your family problems and it is clouding your ability to work/function properly at work.

I would strongly suggest you take someone to the meeting to be a witness. If you belong to a union then they will attend the meeting with you and offer their support.
A disciplinary does seem a little harsh and indeed hasty of them.
I would reiterate to the bosses at work that you are struggling with family problems too. Do not let them bully you.
I think a spell off work sick to help you deal with your depression may be helpful too.
I wish you luck.

Hector S

Hi - Sounds like they have suspended you (with pay) pending an investigation. What reasons did they suspend you! thats important, In your meeting you need to inform your employer of your current situation and highlight that dispite your current empotional state you have continued to come to work and do yuor job - despite not doing it a 100%. You need to focus on your good record and that you are going through a difficult time.
If you have a union within your workplace I recommend that you seek counsel from them and for them to attend your meeting as you have a right to be represented.
Also bear in mind that you have worked with thm for more than 1 year so if you feel hard done by you should raise this with an employment tribunal.
Good Luck

Don

You should go to the meeting and apologize for your past performance, then explain what has been going on in your life and show the doctors letter if needed. The main thing is they are going to have to know that you are going to be able to put this aside while you are at work and concentrate on earning your paycheck. Perhaps they will give you a couple of days off to make this transition. It is really up to you and decide if your attitude is any way going to help the situation. If not, pull yourself up and get on with the things the best you can.

Good Luck.

ach

Ok, first of all remember that most call centre managers are young, not so bright, arrogant, climbing, and scared. They tend to be poor people managers and base all their decisions from "statistics" on a computer screen. So what I'm saying is, they are no better than you, remember that. As you are in a customer facing role they were probably correct to suspend you, although it should have been on full pay. Also remember you have been an employee for more than 12 months so you have full employee rights under the law. Stay calm in your meeting and just state the facts of your problems, do not get into an argument. Take a notepad and write down what they say, better still, if you can hide an mp3 player with a voice recorder in your pocket record the meeting. If they try to intimidate you just imagine them sitting on the toilet taking a dump, that's a great leveller. Unfortunately very few people really understand depression so don't expect them to have too much empathy with your position. If you get a hard time from them go back to your GP and ask to be signed off for a month with stress. First your employer will have to pay you, and second you have concrete 'proof' of a recognised medical condition. Good luck, and remember you are not in the wrong.

mattysmum2692

Hi,

I'm sure that if your company decent they will accept your reasons for behaving the way you have. Unfortunatly, you do not need to complete the 3 warning stage as they are allowed to dismiss you for Gross Misconduct if they feel you have done something REALLY bad. Ifyou explain that you are not just lazy and shirking your responsibilities but actually ILL (depression is classed as an illness) I'm sure they will accept this and allow you back to work, probably with a verbal warning. I'm sure that you are also allowed a member of staff to support you in the meeting. Your best bet is to call the CAB and ask them but don't go in tomorrow with an attitude as you will probably end p worse off. Show you are sorry and make them understand you will not act in this fashion again.
Good luck!

Nicola

confucious says

YOU PROBABLY WILL keep your job but it seems you may have to alter your ways if you wish to remain, you mat be depressed but the company is entitled to a proper days work if you are not able to continue giving a full days work. they will be well within their right to sack you. this first hearing is the first step towards the anticipated goal if you dont improve

jackie m

They can do that but only on full pay, after 2 weeks when an investigation officer has considered the facts will anything change. phone ACAS.

bernard s

cheer up old boy!!! life's not all about work go in there with a funny hat on and make em laugh always remember make em laugh and you're half way there.

dwhelper

CONTACT AN ATTORNEY!!! Like yesterday

David Jones

My son was suspended from work because his drivers license were suspended and he didn't report it. He wasn't given anthing in writting, just told he was suspended. There was suppose to be a meeting, but before the meeting could take pkace he got sick and was hospitalized for 8 days with congestive heart failure. When he returned home from the hospital he received a certified letter stated he was suspended indifiently. Since he is still an employee he requested he put placed on medical leave and paid he sick leave pay. Does a company with less than 50 employees have to honor his request and pay him the sick time and vacation time he has earned? The company doesn't have FMLA. Need Help

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