Work related moral dilema: To help or not...

[technophobe]

I work in IT, in an open plan office. Recently I've changed teams to help out another team whilst they're short staffed. Although I'm still helping a few of the lads on the old team (go figure).

Whilst working on this team, I've seen that the work in my position is a lot more balanced, lively even. More multitasking required etc. It's no bad thing, but the team I came from is a lot quieter, and generally gets left alone by management as they support the flagship product, and what keeps customers happy, keeps management happy.

I've also seen that the more senior positions in the current team, have far less work to do, and far far less paperwork/red tape than their counter-parts in my "old" team.

I also know my name has been put forward for promotion, subject to me staying on the team I'm temporarily with. My take on that, is more money, less bull, everyone's a winner!

Today, one of the guys on my current (loan) team, walked over to me with "I've got a formal disciplinary hearing this Thurs, after already having my final written warning - will you come & be my representative?"

The options as I see it:
- Refuse to go to the hearing, giving some excuse, and sit looking pretty for management with a view to potential promotions.
- Go to the meeting, but just as a token gesture to give the lad some company. Not really helping him out.
- Go to the meeting, and help him fight whatever the company want to throw at him. Stepping on management's toes as I do so.

I still need to do a little background reading, for now I've fobbed him off with "tell them you want to see any evidence they have against you before you get into the meeting, so you know what you're talking about before you get there." Mainly that's so I can sort out what I want to do.

So, thoughts? Suggestions? Insults?
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Riding isn't dangerous, crashing is. A 'good' ride is one from which you can walk away. A 'great' ride is one after which you can use the bike again.

[Omega]

In a disciplinary you're not there to fight his corner, you're just there as a witness to what is said. Write down what is said and both sides can't complain.

[Tristan.]

Personally I'd tell your collegue this. Tell him your happy to go, but ask what he expects of you. If you're unhappy with part of it then tell him he'd be better off getting someone else.

[jack_zxr400]

I just wouldnt go

say its your mums birthday or something lol
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Previous Bike: ZXR 400
Current Bike: R6
Test Date: 8/8/2008-PASSED

[Kwaks]

As Omega says, you are there as a witness only. You are not there to defend (or otherwise).

Sit at the back of the room and listen, you can discuss it with him when they ask you both to leave so they can confer, but tbh you are not expected to speak in the hearing at all.

Management are more likely to be impressed that a member of your "new" team respects you enough to ask you to hold his hand.
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Fallen Angel "Nae sniffing my seat now!!!!! "
www.cliqueycuntsmcc.co.uk
I AM NOT A FAST RIDER!!!!!!!!!

[technophobe]

Mucios grassios all.

[TheFoxyDuke]

Is there no union representative in your office, or are employees there represented by a union. If not, then your colleague could also ask a lawyer if they would represent them - sounds pretty serious if its gone past a final warning and it's not a position I would like to be in if there is the possibility of their contract being terminated.

If they aren't a member of a union then I know that most will represent you as soon as you join.

If not, then Citizens Advice Bureau may be able to advise.

Personally, I would stay well clear apart from supporting them as a witness in the meeting. You're not there to fight their corner especially as they have already been down the 'warning' route.

FoxyD
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[technophobe]

[dgo1212]

[Fortuna]

Ask yourself how you'd feel if the roles were reversed. Maybe base it on that or something.

[J0Al1]

Personally, I would be inclined to stay as neutral as you can. Don't let someone elses problem become yours.

Say as little as you can get away with and before you do say anything advised them that your knowledge of the situation is very limited as it has little to do with you.



I've got a pain at work too this morning:
What is it with bad management. . . . ?

I've not had enough work lately, so spend a lot of time on the net. I've asked for more work 4 times, so I'm not skiving off!

Anyway, a week ago, my boss asked me if I would take over the setting up of wireless laptops on Thursdays as support need to be free'd up. . . This was under the condition that I would spend the first two Thursdays with the person who does it now to see what the process is etc. . . (Im not support I have no idea)

So, today, the day before Thursday, I get an email listing all the people attending tommorow . . . .

OH and guess what, all the support people that have any knowledge of what happens in the wireless room on Thursday are on holiday until next week!

Poor show. . . .

I know wirless is not hard, but that's not my point. So far I've stood my ground and pointed out what the deal was and advised that that I would require training as I have no clue what the prcess it. . I've not worked in support for over 18 months now. . . I'm a project engineer. . . .

I'm doing them a favor . . they can not LAND me in it!

Whats more, the people arrive at 9am and my hrs are from 9:30am. . . .


Fucking bosses, fob you off . . . just to make themself look the part. . .

[bladerunner]

If you get on with the guy it's nice that he trusts you to be there to do a good job. The role is only as witness and not to get involved. You make sure you record what is said and that no bullying or the such happens towards your colleague. That's it and TBH if he's asked you to be there and the management are offering you a possible promotion then I'd say that both party's would prefer you there as you will not be unprofessional about the whole thing and it should be a simple case of watching him get fired I assume!!

But don't forget that if you don't feel happy doing it you would be better explaining it to the guy who has asked you asap so he can arrange for someone else.

I've done it a few times and sometimes just having a friendly face in the meeting can help as can reading through what was talked about after the meeting is over.

It's up to him to fight his corner not yours so you really dont get involved

HTH
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Current bikes...cbr929, KDX200's, Rd125lc mk2, RGV250's

[karoshi]

[technophobe]