called to HR but not told why

[chiara79]

v

[welshlibranr]

sorry chiara79, what is your question?........

[chiara79]

Sorry, not sure what happened there. I have been told today that I have a meeting with HR Thursday but they are not able to tell me what it's about. I have been told I can bring someone to the meeting and that is all. I am obvioulsy very worried as i don't know what I could have done to be called in for a meeting. I haven't argued with anyone or been rude, that i am aware of. I work in a hospital and know not to talk about patients. Really at a loss and just wondering if anyone can help on why i would be called in! Many thanks

[Andyvon]

Hi Chiara,

These people are getting very inpleasant with their inflexible rules and procedures. I spent a couple of years as a public representative at my local NHS PCT and county council. I've heard of this sort of thing happening when someone has had a complaint made against them. The procedure is not to inform the individual of any details regarding the allegation - just to tell them there's a meeting and that they will learn the details then. It really stinks in my mind. Obviously someone will then be presented with the allegation as a complete shock and without having a clue what it's about.

I'm not saying that's the case with you Chiara. It may be something completely innocuous and I don't want to concern you unduly. I will say that the disciplinary meetings I know about usually take a couple of weeks to arrange and the person has to wait that long to find out about it. You only have to wait three days so I'm sure it's not a disciplinary meeting.
I don't know where you work but there are many changes going on everywhere now. Many people are being made redundant or having to re-apply for their posts (which often means having their pay cut!). Could it be with the end of the year being just a few weeks away that your employer is looking to make savings or cuts that involve your post? There are so many people in that position now.

Otherwise, how about telling them tomorrow that you are very worried and not sleeping and could they please put your mind at rest by at least letting you know that it's not something for you to worry about. If they won't do that then you'll just have to wait a couple of days. I do feel for you as I've seen other people in the same boat. I don't like it and the employers just bleat about 'standard procedures' - which means looking after themselves!

Good luck and I hope it goes well. I'm sure it will.

[buildersmate]

Rather than take issue with the very broad generalisations presented by Andyvon as being the way all (or most) HR people operate, I'll attempt to provide an alternative side to this.

Agreed, it is wrong that you are called to a meeting with HR in 3 days time without being told anything about what it is about.

It should not be a disciplinary meeting at this time (unless their process is flawed), because a pre-requisite before a disciplinary meeting is an investigatory meeting, if the process is done according to ACAS recommendations. The normal purpose of such an investigatory meeting is to put certain issues/concerns to you (whatever they may be), then invite you to comment, to hear your side of the story. However it doesn't make sense to say nothing about the purpose of the meeting, or how is anyone expected to do any preparation.

If you are a member of a Union, then do approach your union rep. and he/she
should be willing to attend with you. If not, I do suggest that you bring a friend to enable them to listen to the proceedings and jot notes for you on what is said.

Given that it is only Tuesday am, go back to HR and ask for general information on the purpose of the meeting - pointing out that 'how can you be expected to comment on an issue raised with you on Thursday if given no notice beforehand of the background'. Indeed the very purpose of providing a couple of days' notice is so you can decide whether to bring a colleague or not.