Can they sack me? / Work Place Bullying.

[Piercee100]

I'll try and keep this brief.

I've worked at my company for 15years. Been promoted from a humble road sweeper to driver, chargehand, supervisor, transport manager. Company paid for my HGV 4yrs ago and my International CPC just over a year ago.
There has been an incredible amount of bullying over the last two years (mostly hearsay though no hard evidence) although my boss got the sack this week, the day they handed him his 25yrs long service award. Really nice guy, well liked but not someone that follows the flow or bows down to management. Sacked for giving a member of staff a lift home in his company car (the member of staff filed the complaint- nuts right?).

Anyway, I've been watching the bullying for the last two years, the snide comments and I have myself, been slowly pushed out of the clique and with that latest development decided I didn't want to be part of that team anymore so put my notice in.
Due to the length of service I had to give 12weeks (up to 5th January) notice and I know they won't make it pleasant for me. Can they still sack me in the meantime? I've had no reply to my resignation letter as yet and suspect they will try and bill me for training received but really want to know if I there is anything I can do to protect my self in the meantime?

My boss had 5 people put in complaints about him all from newly promoted staff and one of those after being leaned on admitted he had been forced to write the statement as part of his promotion but refused to say by who (he has six children and needs the job) and wouldn't sign anything on the matter.

I've noticed since my letter went in on Tuesday, my emails have been tampered with and paperwork touched so I know they are looking for something but I have no actual proof as yet.

Our depot have been investigated previously for racism and bullying but appear to be teflon coated (usually out of court settlements). Have also been known to hire private detectives to follow staff on long term sick or suspected of having second jobs- takeaway deliveries etc.

Kinda feel trapped.
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Rides: Honda H100a (Retired), VT500e (Sold), Kawasaki ZX400 (sold), Kawasaki GT550 (Sold), Suzuki Inazuma (Daily), Honda CD185t (Broken), LML Star 2t (Last run edition).

[Derivative]

[.....]

You sound terribly stressed. I think what you need is some time off for that stress, maybe spend it at home until you feel better, which may be around January 5th

[Piercee100]

Your right of course, and this has been my life since the age of 16 (actually worked for these people 5 years prior to employment as agency staff as I loved the job so much)- Gulp! 20yrs...

I don't think I signed anything regarding leaving the business after training but these people seem to have a way of producing paperwork.

Just think it might be awkward future employers asking for a reference from these people, especially as I only have one job on my CV. It was always my understanding that businesses had a duty to provide a reference but I have never known this lot to ever give one, even seeing piles of reminder letters on the regional managers desk.
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Rides: Honda H100a (Retired), VT500e (Sold), Kawasaki ZX400 (sold), Kawasaki GT550 (Sold), Suzuki Inazuma (Daily), Honda CD185t (Broken), LML Star 2t (Last run edition).

[Derivative]

[Piercee100]

Actually the private detective thing came about after one of our drivers (drives a dustcart) was followed to a second job he had not declared. He was working as an evening cleaner in a local powerstation and security called the Police after a suspicious car followed him onto the site, so it all came out into the open.

Then of course, he was given an out of court settlement and told to remain quiet...
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Rides: Honda H100a (Retired), VT500e (Sold), Kawasaki ZX400 (sold), Kawasaki GT550 (Sold), Suzuki Inazuma (Daily), Honda CD185t (Broken), LML Star 2t (Last run edition).

[TheArchitect]

You got nothing to worry about.

You have handed in your notice as is required per your contract. They don't have to acknowledge it for it to stand as long as you can prove you have submitted it and it's in their possession. They may query it or counter with alternative terms that aren't per your contract, but that's a separate conversation to be had if you want to.

About the bullying, unless it's something you show evidence for and have witnesses prepared to speak up about it, it won't amount to anything. Rather I'd suggest you get on with your contracted work for the remainder of your notice period and get out of their clean. If they decide to sack you in the meantime for performance related issues, which they can do, then they have to have been seen to have had given you reasonable warning and opportunities to improve. This process must be documented and signed by both you and them. If this piece of paper does not exist then they have to take the redundancy route which means you're quids.
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GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
MT09 - Almost stolen

[Piercee100]

Thanks all for the advice

The reality is that getting the sack would enable me to get employment faster I suppose. Nobody want to employ someone who has to work 12 weeks notice first!

All I would request from them is they allow me to go peacefully. It could be they're gathering evidence should I make some sort of claim as I go... We'll see.
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Rides: Honda H100a (Retired), VT500e (Sold), Kawasaki ZX400 (sold), Kawasaki GT550 (Sold), Suzuki Inazuma (Daily), Honda CD185t (Broken), LML Star 2t (Last run edition).

[TheArchitect]

[Pete.]

[Derivative]

Yes, good point. If stuff like your pay slips and timetables are computerised, get print outs because they'll be useful for negotiation/legal action later.

[iooi]

So is this a role within a council? or a private company?

Well I hope you are looking for a job already..

As to reference. Most companies only say worked here from to. And leave it at that.
Anything over and above can lead to problems for them if it comes out its a lie.
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[stinkwheel]

[MCN]

I do not think there is any requirment for a company to give reference.
It is company policy to do so or not.
The companies \i have worked for have never offered and I have never asked for one or been asked by a new employer.

They are pretty worthless for most jobs anyway.

I think you can report Harasment after you leave a company too.
It is against the law to harrass employees. And any sexual, racial, gender-ist misconduct is normally looked at more closely.

They sound like a bunch of Shite Nuggets. Better away from them hoowurs.
Pray for an Electrical Fire in the tea shack and they are all trapped in it. (Maybe a wee bit OTT but I was just sayin'.)
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[MCN]

[stinkwheel]

[MCN]

[Jewlio Rides Again LLB]

This is definitely Tritey
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Mpd72: I can categorically say i’m Brighter than that, no matter how I come across on here.
HAHAHA HAHAHA Blew Chilly MyCrowSystems

[Rogerborg]

You handed in your notice without getting a new job lined up first?

Get a new job elsewhere. Tell them you can start on Monday. Start on Monday.

Nothing bad will happen to you.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[stinkwheel]

[c_dug]

Time Keeping/PPE/Whatever are all well and good but only work if the employer treats everybody the same.

OP I'd be inclined to speak to a solicitor regarding constructive dismissal, you can't be expected to work three months in an increasingly hostile environment, where your employer is itching for a reason to get you out of the door for free, and failing to tackle bullying.

The law is designed to protect against pretty much that exact scenario.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Wonko The Sane]

[colink98]