Please help

7oni · Post by **7oni** » 16 Jul 2019, 16:57

Hello all,

I wondered if I could seek some advice please, I have returned back to work after being off for 5 months with depression and anxiety due to ongoing issues at work, I returned back to work 3 months ago but not to my office as the issues have not been resolved.
I have returned to find out that two colleagues have removed my locker key from my work keys and started using my locker whilst I still had personal items in there, I told my manager but it has taken 3 months to get my locker back.
on top of this they have also used my computer at work and many files have been deleted, yet again nothing as been done.
I have told my union rep and asked for a meeting with all people present but this has still not happened.
Please could you let me know if I have a case regarding these two people.
I feel that management is trying to sweep this under the carpet but I believe that it is a disgrace that nothing has been done.
Many thanks for your time.

yellowbelly · Post by **yellowbelly** » 16 Jul 2019, 17:37

7oni wrote:Hello all,

I wondered if I could seek some advice please, I have returned back to work after being off for 5 months with depression and anxiety due to ongoing issues at work, I returned back to work 3 months ago but not to my office as the issues have not been resolved.
I have returned to find out that two colleagues have removed my locker key from my work keys and started using my locker whilst I still had personal items in there, I told my manager but it has taken 3 months to get my locker back.
on top of this they have also used my computer at work and many files have been deleted, yet again nothing as been done.
I have told my union rep and asked for a meeting with all people present but this has still not happened.
Please could you let me know if I have a case regarding these two people.
I feel that management is trying to sweep this under the carpet but I believe that it is a disgrace that nothing has been done.
Many thanks for your time.

Sorry to hear about your health, hopefully you are on your way back to feeling better.

Without knowing the exact situation the following comments are my personal opinions (having managed a similar 'locker' situation
in a previous job I had):

The use of the personal locker - what happened is absolutely out of order. Assuming the locker is RM property and was needed desperately, you should have
been contacted and even if you didn't feel able to attend your unit to remove your items, a manager and at least one witness (CWU rep?) could have
emptied it, secured your belongings and either securely stored them or sent them on to home. Not sure what can be done in terms of what
rules might have been broken - is anything missing or do you feel your privacy has been compromised?

Regarding the computer - is it your computer or a RM computer that you use? If it's your own personal computer, again it could have been
secured by management. If it's RM's computer, each individual needing use of that computer should have their own logon. If people have
used your logon and password I believe that breaks RM's IT use rules. Not sure about the deletion of the files - depends whether they were
personal or work related and was the deletion malicious? Difficult to prove.....

A grievance might be one option but from the description of your original situation not sure that would be a route
you would want to take.

From RM's Grievance Procedure booklet

"What is a grievance? A genuine concern an employee has about their work or employment.

Once again, best wishes for your health!

7oni · Post by **7oni** » 16 Jul 2019, 18:31

Thank you so much for your reply,

nobody got in contact with me regarding the locker and I did have personal items in there. The same goes for the computer, I worked in the traffic office so it was a RM computer and the one person did have their own logon details.
There have been many situations over the past year but I was not strong enough to deal with it but now I am its like I keep hitting a brick wall and nobody wants to get involved.
I will see where I can get with the grievance route :)

Many thanks again

Post by **SpacePhoenix** » 16 Jul 2019, 20:20

If it's a personal computer is it a potential conduct code issue for the OP?

Post by **aiden01** » 16 Jul 2019, 21:50

SpacePhoenix wrote:If it's a personal computer is it a potential conduct code issue for the OP?

Read post above your own again op clearly says rm computer.

7oni · Post by **7oni** » 17 Jul 2019, 00:04

Hi, it is a RM computer and as for the locker...I was never asked if anyone could use it, they just removed my key and helped themselves. Can I add this was after they moved my locker out of the traffic office next to my desk.
Does anyone think I have a case??
Sometimes feel as if I'm wasting my time.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 17 Jul 2019, 12:14

Not on the computer, unless they were using your key/password. It's RMs computer so they can say who can and who can't access it.

Deleting files on the computer, it's not very good practice, but again as long as they had access and permission to use the computer its not something that would support a grievance on its own.

Moving your locker without telling you is bad manners but in of itself wouldn't be enough to pursue a grievance over.

Not addressing the causes of your stress which caused an absence may also be worthy of a grievance

However, emptying your locker without permission from you, or by giving you reasonable notification is definitely worthy of a grievance. Also, the other minor matters could be added to the main 2 grievances as they help show a pattern of not addressing issues that concern you.

7oni · Post by **7oni** » 17 Jul 2019, 12:57

Thank you for your reply,
I have been with the company for 16 years and never had any problems until last year and it has totally thrown me.
My manager was fully aware of my illness as I had told him from the beginning that we needed to sort out the situations before they got out of hand but it fell on deaf ears.
We did arrange a meeting with all people present but on the morning of the meeting it was changed to all separate meetings without any notice so I feel as I'm stuck in limbo.
My manager and one of his colleagues had come to this agreement on the morning of the meeting.
Can I insist of having someone to come in with me who is mental health trained? and if so how would I go about getting in touch with them please or a list of area union reps in my area.
I'm sorry to keep asking questions but I've never been in this situation before.
Many thanks for your time....very much appreciated

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 17 Jul 2019, 13:34

7oni wrote:Thank you for your reply,
I have been with the company for 16 years and never had any problems until last year and it has totally thrown me.
My manager was fully aware of my illness as I had told him from the beginning that we needed to sort out the situations before they got out of hand but it fell on deaf ears.
We did arrange a meeting with all people present but on the morning of the meeting it was changed to all separate meetings without any notice so I feel as I'm stuck in limbo.
My manager and one of his colleagues had come to this agreement on the morning of the meeting.
Can I insist of having someone to come in with me who is mental health trained? and if so how would I go about getting in touch with them please or a list of area union reps in my area.
I'm sorry to keep asking questions but I've never been in this situation before.
Many thanks for your time....very much appreciated

what you are best doing is contacting the equalities officer at your CWU Branch, they have the training and specialise in this area of employment, and yes you are allowed to request their attendance.

7oni · Post by **7oni** » 17 Jul 2019, 16:28

That is excellent, thank you so much for all your help and time.
I will be calling them first thing in the morning :)

Fingers crossed
Many thanks