Hi Mairead,

Good to hear from you again but sorry you are having such a dreadful time at work.
I wish you luck in your hunt for another job and hope you have the strength to cope with the difficulties in your present job.

Love, Doreen xx

Dear Mairead

So sorry to hear that an awful time work wise you are going through. It must be awful for you as we all
know that the old RA does not cope with stress.

Good luck

Hi Mairead,

I to use to work for a vindictive bully who was also head of human resources, unbelievable that people like this get this type of job, they are more suited to being a traffic warden, apologise if any of you are traffic wardens.

She was eventually promoted within the system to get rid of her.

I am really interested in your case and look forward to your updates.

Anne x

the latest update is they are waiting some legal advice. Then I can make my next move. Will update as and when.

In the meantime, here's some advice if you're in the same boat:-

- Read the Equalities Act 2010 and Disability Act and be able to quote it book and verse.

- Keep a record of all incidents, whether verbal, physical or implied. Under the EA2010 implied is as bad as actual. Record date, time, who was involved, what was said, what happened, what was the result and how it made you feel. Did it make your illness/disablity worse, did it result in you having time off, having an argument, acting out of character. Someone sniggered last week, I've recorded it. On its own it doesn't stand for much, but as part of a longer story it shows a corporate culture and mentality of discrimination.

-Record every time you're asked to do something you can't. Were you offered help, etc. how did it affect you? Were you in pain afterwards? do you feel you were 'forced' or had no choice?

-Save your supervisions, staff development reviews, appraisals etc. If you haven't a copy, ask for them.

-Save your workplans, work programmes and Job Descriptions. You need to show you've worked to them.

-Keep all commendations, compliments and comments on work you've done. This includes from staff, managers, external customers, clients etc. This is evidence of a competent worker. Go back as many years as you have to, to show consistency, that your skills, competence haven't deteriorated over the disputed period.

-Keep any good pieces of work you've done as evidence of high quality and a high standard of work.

-Keep copies of your absence records, signed preferably (ie sick notes, self-certifications).

-Keep copies of emails and any other written communications between you and the person you're having trouble with. Emails can be saved by Save As (just like a normal document). You need to save them in Mail Format or html.

-Any electronic evidence should be kept on a memory stick and backed up onto a home computer in case it's wiped or tinkered with at work. In fact, don't make it obvious you're collecting evidence.

-Stop sending external emails to your friends, relatives, former colleagues etc. They'll use it against you as wasting work time.

-Don't play on facebook, twitter during work time. In fact, avoid using the internet at all while using yoru work computer.

-Emails and all electronic communications are the property of your employer and they can and will have them restored from backups to use against you. Keep all itnernal and external emails professional and perfunctory. Don't get drawn into arguments, discussions, slagging matches or mud-slinging contests.

-Don't slag your employers on social networking sites or blogs. If you're going to give out then use it to your advantage ie, "having problems at work, feeling very low and upset. Not going out much, feel depressed". Whatever you do don't shout and roar about what a bitch your HR manager is and how you'd like to stab her in the eye. Solicitors are ruthless, they will use all social networking, blog and similar sites to find evidence against you. Insurance companies and potential employers are already doing it. Private forums such as NRAS are ok within reason as long as names or company names are not used. This is because you need a login and username to get onto the site. However, if they were really sneaky - and if they're desperate they will be - they could set up an account, knowing you had RA, and dig around a bit. Using names/company names could get you in trouble for defamation, confidentiality breaches etc. Facebook etc tend to be viewable to 'anyone' with a Facebook site, hence the big risk.

-Don't get drawn into 'private' conversations about the situation. This is how they will intimidate you. If you're confident to go ahead then make a written note of what is being said and agreed and ask them to countersign as an accurate record of what was discussed. Ask if they mind you making notes beforehand. If they do, then terminate the impromptu 'meeting' there and then. If you're uncomfortable, state you want a representative. This is your legal right. Don't be afraid to stop the discussion but don't walk out, whatever you do. Just say you're not comfortable with the situation, you're not comfortable with the tone of the conversation and don't feel it's resolving the issue or contributing to a mutually beneficial solution. Ask to rearrange at a mutually convenient time and that you want a representative.

-Don't get drawn into arguments. Keep calm, keep polite. Use words like 'inappropriate' 'uncomfortable' 'not beneficial'. Don't point, roll your eyes, huff and puff, flare your nostrils. They'll use it against you.

-Start to collect legal precedents so you know what they can and can't do. The EA2010 and DDA are ok but have more holes than a cheese grater. They're also open to interpretation. In these cases courts and tribunals will use precedents to give them an idea of what's gone before. Usually, in a contentious case, they'll depend on precedents. The TUC have some very good legal precedents and opinions.

You need to show you're absolutely golden, a textbook employee (even if you aren't). What you have to remember is that union reps, tribunals, employment advisors etc don't know you or your employer from Adam. It's your job to convince them you were treated unfairly and you did everything in your power to work with them on finding an amicable solution, that your requests were reasonable, that their demands were not.

Hope that helps.

LOL

Well done you!!!

I will keep ypu informed of my on going fight!! GRRRR

Well done

Trace xx

Great news Mairaid. and thanks for posting all the useful tips. I alread have a bag full of files relating to my problems as I anticipate more problems in the future.


It really is a sad reflection on the times we live in -we have a genuine, life wrecking illness and this is how we're treated.It makes me so angry that we have to cover ourselves so thoroughly- adds considerably to the stress.

Best wishes

Maria

Well done for pursuing it all the way, I hope this gives encouragement to the people out there who are having problems with their employers.

Anne x