Gross misconduct

[mclovin]

Does being charged with it mean a definite dismissal? Exemplary record, excellent sick record, extenuating circumstances including being singled out by the manager.

I wrote something on a social network that in hindsight was a tad stupid, no mention of rm or name of said manager.

In the code of conduct it states Suspension should only last as long as genuinely necessary and be reviewed every 48 hours or reasonable periods thereafter.

Nearly 20 weeks and no review since early July.

[silly suffolk]

Does being charged with it mean a definite dismissal? Exemplary record, excellent sick record, extenuating circumstances including being singled out by the manager.

I wrote something on a social network that in hindsight was a tad stupid, no mention of rm or name of said manager.

In the code of conduct it states Suspension should only last as long as genuinely necessary and be reviewed every 48 hours or reasonable periods thereafter.

Nearly 20 weeks and no review since early July.

get in touch with local/area rep. they must know where case is going.

[mclovin]

Got the letter telling me I'm being charged this morning.

Area reps are off this week, I spoke to one and he says he needs more time to look at the case and discuss it with me.

What I really want to know is if the worst outcome happens failure to follow their own procedure will work in my favour as well as clear record, good sick record etc. also there were things going on at home where lack of sleep was affecting me and at work where myself and the manager were at loggerheads and he lied, threatened, questioned my integrity, belittled me in front of colleagues (there is a stage 3 grievance in). All of which had my head a mess.

[silly suffolk]

Got the letter telling me I'm being charged this morning.

Area reps are off this week, I spoke to one and he says he needs more time to look at the case and discuss it with me.

What I really want to know is if the worst outcome happens failure to follow their own procedure will work in my favour as well as clear record, good sick record etc. also there were things going on at home where lack of sleep was affecting me and at work where myself and the manager were at loggerheads and he lied, threatened, questioned my integrity, belittled me in front of colleagues (there is a stage 3 grievance in). All of which had my head a mess.

not following procedure has saved many an individual in the past. area reps with full time release have the time to pour over the case, and any mistakes made by management will be picked up. i wish you well.

[mclovin]

Thanks, im beginning to think I need all the help I can get now, and all for a throwaway comment, seems a rather harsh punishment to me.

[daveyeff]

Thanks, im beginning to think I need all the help I can get now, and all for a throwaway comment, seems a rather harsh punishment to me.

if there was no mention of royal mail or a manager, its hard to take in how they can do anything. we live in a democracy. you havent brought them into disrepute because you never mentioned them. a throwaway comment is exactly that. its got to be more than just a comment. if its not, the union will piss all over the charge.

[daveyeff]

and no, being charged with gross misconduct does not mean definate dismissal. 3 cases of it at ours and 3 cases of it won by the union. saying that, the charges were brought by an over zealous bellend hatchet man trying to gain brownie points.,,,,or in his case ''brown eye'' points.

[bobbyden]

You had the good grace on this forum to hold your hands up and admit it was a stupid thing to do. From what you say about your circumstances, I hope you keep your job. To end on, I would advise you to give up social networking. Companies, including the Royal Mail, monitor Facebook, Twitter and the like for anything which borders on unacceptable behaviour. Though you did not mention the Royal Mail, nor for that matter, a member of staff in general, it must have been something more contentious than say..."Hello, how are you". I now hold my hands up and admit that on this forum I have been none too complimentary to Royal Mail Chief Executive, Moya Greene. She is public enemy number one as far as I'm concerned, but I restrict my opinions on her strictly to this site. Having said that, I am sure the Royal Mail management view this forum regularly and would love to identify anyone who criticises the company and deal with them under the guise of the conduct code. Free speech, presented in a relatively constructive manner is a distant memory for the Royal Mail. My sole defence for ones actions is that I care about the Royal Mail brand and want it to succeed in what has become an increasingly difficult marketplace. Quite alot of the difficulty the Royal Mail created themselves and the last three to four years have been painful to watch. Royal Mail management consistantly refuse to admit their failings and the company will continue to drift aimlessly until a far different approach is taken. Perhaps, the Royal Mail management could take a leaf out of your book and have the good grace to hold up their hands and admit it was a stupid thing to do....

Finally, you need not only to keep your job but to sort out differences with your manager. I wish you well on both counts.

[hantsman]

Got the letter telling me I'm being charged this morning.

Area reps are off this week, I spoke to one and he says he needs more time to look at the case and discuss it with me.

What I really want to know is if the worst outcome happens failure to follow their own procedure will work in my favour as well as clear record, good sick record etc. also there were things going on at home where lack of sleep was affecting me and at work where myself and the manager were at loggerheads and he lied, threatened, questioned my integrity, belittled me in front of colleagues (there is a stage 3 grievance in). All of which had my head a mess.

If a letter from RM states "one of the outcomes can be dismissal" then you know that's a possibility mclovin, just giving you the facts.

[mclovin]

Obviously I know it's a possibility, but is it a likely one? They reckon I've done it before but their evidence is a bit fudged at best, and I have a witness who will swear I didn't contribute on that conversation, although it did take place on my wall.

I also have been under extreme stress due to financial difficulties, lack of sleep, a sick child at the time and an extremely over zealous manager watching over myself and a colleague on a daily basis. I realise now I'd been getting more and more stressed since I had sciatica a year ago and now plantar fasciitis. I think I just snapped after getting a carpeting for no reason other than he wanted to push my buttons.

[mclovin]

Well I face the charge tomorrow, any tips? I'm totally bricking it but have a list of circumstances going on in my private life that caused stress and tiredness both mentally and physically.

[clashcityrocker]

Well I face the charge tomorrow, any tips?

Grovel a bit. They like to see you subservient.
Keep your fingers crossed behind your back.

[mclovin]

Done, I guess it's in the lap of the gods now.

[blackadder]

hope you get a good result mate

[fishtank]

Done, I guess it's in the lap of the gods now.

It's in the lap of someone but i wouldn't confuse them with a god.
Good luck mclovin.