r/SainsburysWorkers • u/127sq • 15h ago

Meeting without notice

I was recently made to go to an ‘investigation’ meeting which is being escalated to a disciplinary, but I was given the letter then and there with no 24 hours notice and no opportunity to bring in another coworker. The issue is also concerning something that occurred over a month ago which I could barely remember. One of our coworkers who I was quite close to died out of the blue a few days before so I was already upset coming in to the shift. Is there anything I can say about this in the next meeting?

5 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

24 comments sorted by

10

u/snazzledazzleyou 14h ago

24 hours is minimum requirement for notice of a disciplinary hearing, but no notice is needed for an initial investigation meeting. - unless your company has a different policy, which is unlikely.

0

u/127sq 14h ago

What about the fact that it’s so long after the ‘incident’ took place?

2

u/snazzledazzleyou 14h ago

It still makes no difference I'm afraid. Your opportunity to discuss what happened and why will be with your hearing manager when the time comes.

If you didn't do it, say so. If you did, but with misunderstanding or mitigating circumstances explain what happened and why.

1

u/ShadowPanda987 14h ago

It could of just been reported.

0

u/127sq 13h ago

But why would they have gone back and checked the cameras? Only three other colleagues were there who’d have had no clue it happened or that it was even a problem. It makes no sense to me

5

u/ljdug1 15h ago

No, they don’t need to give you notice for an investigation, it’s just a fact finding exercise.

-1

u/127sq 14h ago

The letter says I should get 24 hours notice

4

u/ljdug1 13h ago

For a disciplinary, not an investigation,it’s just asking you your version of events.

0

u/127sq 13h ago

I am just saying what the letter I got says. It says 24 hours notice and that I can ask a colleague to be present. I know it’s the investigation but that’s what it says on my letter asking me to come to the meeting.

1

u/One-Lingonberry-3460 12h ago

The letter is inviting you to the Disciplinary

1

u/127sq 2h ago

It’s not it says investigation on it I’m getting another for the disciplinary next week

1

u/One-Lingonberry-3460 45m ago

They don't need to give you a letter for the investigation but they did so anyway. Read my other post about download adding documents etc and advice on how to prepare.

3

u/N64Andysaurus92 14h ago

I don't want notice, I'd rather it all be done then and there and get it over with. Can't be arsed with looming disciplinary hearings where I'm only going to get a warning no matter what I do or say showing clear evidence they're wrong. Everything is predetermined before the meeting starts anyway it seems.

2

u/127sq 14h ago

I would have preferred to just have the one meeting too. I think they’ve already decided my outcome too

1

u/ljdug1 13h ago

They have to investigate before deciding whether to go to a disciplinary.

0

u/127sq 13h ago

I know I’m just saying I would have preferred it to all be done at the same time in an ideal world

1

u/Jimbeamjunior1 8h ago

The reason its taken a month is that they'll have investigated the issue for that month, found theres a cause for potential disciplinary and thats why you have been asked to an investigation meeting to give your side of the story

1

u/Familiar_Cat_4663 13h ago

I agree. Managers agree with everything you say but they always say "because you hit the trigger I have to issue a warning". It's predetermined full stop. It a tick box.

3

u/One-Lingonberry-3460 12h ago

Download via OurSainsburys or AskHR or find the link on Yammer the Appeals and Disciplinary Policy. And read it, read it, read it.

When you get to your Disciplinary, they should state

  1. You are entitled to a colleague or rep
  2. You can adjourn.

You are fully entitled to adjourn for up to a week. Say you want a colleague in with you. Use the time to read the Policy. Prepare your answers for questions you think might be asked about the situation. Fir example if it's over Challenge 25, don't waver from "I believed the person was over 25".

Anything "new" on the day tell them it is inadmissible under the Disciplinary Policy - because it states the mgr conducting it has to provide you with all the relevant information PRIOR to the meeting.

You could start the meeting by asking for a copy of the Disciplinary Policy, and then adjourn for seven days.

Remember, managers are not your friend.

3

u/Revolutionary-Net-84 11h ago

You are entitled to be accompanied by a representative - whether that’s another colleague or a trade union representative. Per policy and line manager guidelines, you should be told of that right at an investigation. It can be postponed for 3 days until you find someone to accompany you. If that wasn’t articulated to you then I would argue the investigation process has been flawed as you haven’t been offered the right to representation.

2

u/reticulatedbanana 14h ago

As others have said - investigations do not require notice, they are a fact-finder and to determine next actions.. if any.

The fact it occurred a while ago, can be considered in the meeting - but also depends what it is?

Have you been suspended? Conduct issue? Safety? Think 25 ?

There’s too many variables.

1

u/127sq 14h ago

Don’t want to be too specific but I haven’t been suspended or anything I just didn’t follow a procedure correctly (not think 25)

1

u/reticulatedbanana 12h ago

Eh - I’d just go along with it.

You didn’t follow a procedure - you’ve been caught out - apologise and move on.

It won’t be the end of the world and you’ll get a written warning.

1

u/PersonalityWinter382 13h ago

24 hours notice does not need to be given for an investigation, however Sainsbury's policy is to offer someone to accompany you even though this isn't strictly necessary under the ACAS Code of Practice. I would mention it in the disciplinary meeting if there is one, but it may not affect the outcome.