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Believe it.
Then get angry and use you anger to fight your corner. Plenty of good advice on here. Read it again, make a to do list and make sure you follow it through.
They should pay for being so inept. They're messing with your life, your career and financial security for no good reason.
Zed - I'm really sorry to hear this. Follow Donald's advice and best of luck.
I would suggest that you [i]can [/i]afford a lawyer.
If everything is as represented here then you will have an incontestable case for unfair dismissal and will receive a decent compensation package (or your job back plus legal expenses).
You're right Donald.
All I wanted was to get back to work tomorrow. Now what I want is for them to see they are wrong. I'm going to the CAB this afternoon, it's a drop in service and only open until half 3 so I don't know if I'll be seen today? I'm getting all my documents together now. I've also spoken with someone regarding a new job. Even if through going through their appeal proccess, presenting my evidence and sorting it out the fact is that I am not being paid as of now. I need to be in a job to provide for my family etc.
And yes, everything is as I have said. Exactly.
Take them to the cleaners and get another job. They obviously wanted you out regardless so I'm guessing it's not a pleasant place to work. Still don't understand why an HR manager would say the things they said. Sounds all a bit dodgy to me. What they said goes against all HR policies and principles.
...and write up your recollection of this morning's interview NOW before it's buried in your memory.
Shit man! I had a nasty feeling about this - it looked like an excuse to get rid of you.
CAB drop in service will see you but they are a volunteer so won't necessarily have much expertise. Law centre might be better. or the CAB should have expertise you will be able to tap into but not today perhaps
How long have you been there and how easy will it be to get another job?
Have you got a copy of their IT policy and your contract?
Again you have my e mail if I can help and MRs TJ has done a lot of representation in the past as well.
Mrs TJ says Parkhead CAB is the best but castlemilk law centre has the legal expertise. You need legal representation and you need to appeal thru company procedures - grievance probably.
Bear in mind a tribunal only compensates you for losses - so if you get another job quickly you won't get a great deal. However there are other possible claims - breach of contract and so on.
Sic the lawyers onto them big style
Had a feeling it would end like this but didn't want to ruin your weekend and tell you this on Fri.
It sounded like they really wanted rid of you with a the to-ing and fro-ing to gather evidence. I think most companies could dismiss employees for the content of their employees mailboxes alone - should they choose to.
Sounds like constructive dismissal, but proving it is going to be hard.
Wow. Sorry to hear that's how it turned out, but whilst it doesn't help with paying the mortgage etc. right now, in the long term you're best off out.
Take them to the cleaners. IANAL, but I do know how IT works (unlike them it seems), and you have a very, very good case. Not being a lawyer, I presume it's not a problem if they "lose" all the evidence, as they'd have to prove the reason for sacking him in a tribunal rather than the other way round?
🙁
Still shocked!
Been talking to a man from CAB and it looks like there are various things which haven't been done correctly. He's looking more into it for me. I'm going back at 10am tomorrow.
Also been speaking to someone about a new job and I've a meeting tomorrow.
Getting pretty angry now.
My appeal letter will be in the post tomorrow first thing.
Can anyone reccomend a union?
Cheers
TJ - I can't find your email?
Good luck Zed. Fingers crossed.
In response to questions - I had been with them for just over 2 years.
Just been in touch with my insurance co. and I have legal cover, so I've started the ball rolling with that.
Can anyone think of anything else I should do?
well any references from your previous employer to your prospective one is going to be interesting.
Zed, I've been following this and am dismayed that this is the outcome. Your (ex) company have behaved with an appalling lack of professionalism and transparency.
You've got a pretty good journal of the events on this thread, but as others have said, writing all this stuff down while it is fresh in your memory would be wise. Trying to remember it later can be difficult and you don't want any chinks in your armour.
I'm sure that the bloke from the CAB has already mentioned this, but make sure that you send your letter tomorrow special delivery. Again, you don't want to give the company the excuse of having not received your appeal.
This is obviously stressful at the moment but I can't help agreeing with others again that if this is the attitude of the company, then in the long term you're better off elsewhere. I hope the job searching is successful,
AlieN
Can anyone think of anything else I should do?
Try calling round some solicitors to see who's got real experience in employment law issues, talk to them, find out costs etc. and work out who you'd want to represent you if/when it comes to it.
Yes - sit down and write down dates, names, times and record of all that has happened.
Thanks, I'm doing it right now. I wrote pretty much everything down in the meeting, I'm going over it again.
I'll draft up a letter tonight and post it first thing tomorrow.
Cheers
zedsdead. GMB will take just about anyone
My e mail - edited
Zed
Really sorry to hear what happened but as the others have said on here don't let them get away with it. Find out if you're case is a strong one and if it is, then pursue it. I got made redundant years back by a company that ignored most of the correct procedures and acted unfairly. I was so sick of everything I almost didn't pursue matters, especially as other things were on my mind like job hunting. I did, and won close to £10k for unfair dismissal when they folded just before the industrial tribunal was due to take place. I think the max you can win is now £52k.
Good luck.
just sent you an email TJ, thanks.
Thanks for all the help so far, I honestly don't know what I would do without it all.
And I've just realised I haven't eaten anything yet today.....
Zed,
I really hope you sort something out. I was shocked, by your post this morning. The IT department sounds to be completely inept and you have been unfairly and unprofessionally treated. I'm sure you will get good legal advice and a satisfactory outcome.
Keep your head up, chap.
Just been in touch with my insurance co. and I have legal cover, so I've started the ball rolling with that.
That's a good start, in fact the insurance could potentially fund you all the way though the process, although they will need to be satisfied that your claim has decent prospects of success.
Gather together as much info as you can and get an appointment with a solicitor. The insurance co will probably have a "panel" solicitor that they will recommend, but you're also free to choose your own if your claim goes to the Employment Tribunal.
Unbelievable.
Hope the legal process goes smoothly for you. Keep us updated.
Sorry to hear about your news, but a couple of points.
Firstly my wife has "made redundant" a few years ago. We used the legal aid through the house insurance, it takes a long time to resolve the insurance doesn't seem as bothered as you are BUT if they take the case on they expect to win, which we did - procedures not followed and the justification for the redundancy. She came out with compensation and got a job within a few months, so they compensation wasn't touched. It is a stressful time but try and keep positive.
A second point, although as your company seem like total dicks they probably won't. Can't they get the IT Specialist to build a fresh pc, go to Mleh and check the logs produced? These should then tie up with the ones they already have for you. If you are dealing with none IT literate imbeciles try and keep it simple.
Good Luck
Hi Zed
Really sorry to hear the way this has panned out.
I'm not a lawyer, but MrsJulianA is an HR Manager and she makes the following points:
If a letter is sent recorded delivery the intended recipient can refuse the letter and it is then 'not delivered'. A tribunal will assume that a letter posted by ordinary mail to an address which is reasonably believed to be the last known address of the intended recipient will be delivered two days later.
The basic award for Unfair Dismissal is £10,500 and the Compensatory Award for Unfair Dismissal is now up to £66,200 depending on age, how hard you have tried to find another job and factors like that.
She also suggests that you get legal advice on this, but I think you have that base covered already.
Good luck and let us know the outcome of this and of your interview!
Unbelieveable..Zed i feel for you at this time. Got to agree with the others here about keeping your head etc..
good luck with it all, and thats a good point what JulianA said re: post..I would be tempted to send them the letter, take it to them personally and fax it to them aswell..just to be sure!
Get a lawyer and you should be treated ok..i hope..
best.
Don't really have much to add, rather than my sympathies. A company operating with that level of incompetence can't be much fun to work for. Just a thought, are they actually making redundancies at the moment, or on shaky financial ground? Evidence of this might add weight to your case.
Good luck! Things can only get better from this point.
[url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7986483.stm ]Interesting...[/url]
Any help? Maybe not... but it might make you smile! Good luck fella.
So, how did it go today? Well I hope
Are they basing their dismissal on you surfing "sick" sites or for surfing "unauthorised" sites? If it's the latter then surfing mleh in work time on a work machine may in itself be enough grounds for dismissal. Sorry to point this out I dont want to sound unsympathetic 😐
sick.
Sorry I haven't updated today - been out since 9 this morning running around everywhere!
Update is that CAB say I have a very strong case. I shouldn't really say too much just now as I still have a lot of leg work to do but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I must at this point give huge thanks to everyone who has posted here, I honestly wouldn't have a clue what to do without any of you. I sincerely mean that.
I'll keep you posted.
Not sure if you need it now with your insurance, but i'd be willing to help you out with a 'fighting fund' donation.
Good luck fella. Sounds pretty crap so far. Just make sure you look after yourself and everything else will be easier (maybe not easy, but easier) if you are ok.
Good luck with prospective new job.
I've been reading and following this thread but not commenting as I don't feel I have any suitable advice to add. However, I was stunned to hear you've now been fired and want to wish you the best of luck getting this sorted and finding a new employer. Good luck!
Good to hear you're making positive progress, one way or another.
Perhaps a good idea to keep any updates on here low-key, incase as mentioned earlier, they're reading this thread/website?
Why do the quote tabs only appear sometimes? anyway:
""Are they basing their dismissal on you surfing "sick" sites or for surfing "unauthorised" sites? If it's the latter then surfing mleh in work time on a work machine may in itself be enough grounds for dismissal. Sorry to point this out I dont want to sound unsympathetic""
i'd of thought that some verbal - written warnings would be common practice if it were grounds for dismissal.
wishing you the best of luck Zed - this is an awful state of affairs i hope you come out the other side ok.
Zed, I was pointed to this my Mrs Rickmeister, just caught up. I really hope it goes well for you, there are a lot of folk that are way more up to date than it seems your IT dept is, but now its gone legal there may be something in what you say....
"Update is that CAB say I have a very strong case. I shouldn't really say too much just now as I still have a lot of leg work to do but I'm keeping my fingers crossed".
It may not help replaying a detailed account on here now... This site is open for all and may be used against your case especially if they have a list of sites you visit.
Please, please keep us informed of the [i]outcome[/i] though.
I am sure it will go well for you.... Compo, a clean track record and importantly a new job has to be the best result.
Unbelievable....
Oh, I reckon your being very professional not to name the company involved.... last thing needed is yet another sh*tstorm on here right now...
Nothing to add, except my best wishes. You have been treated appalingly and I hope everything works out.
Zed, anything new to report?
I have been in contact with Zedsdead - I hope he won't mind me saying that after consultation with professionals things are not looking so black.