What is the name of your state? NY
Hello,
I am an employee at a large NYC public agency, where I have been so for 14 years.
On Monday, I was called into my Department Director's office. I was put at a table with two other supervisors. I was given a memo from him accusing me that I have made a false written statement concerning a grudge about another employee in another department, and using agency letterhead for a private matter. From what I understand, it sounds quite defamatory and injurious to reputation.
The person identified in the letter that I am accused of making a statement is someone who I had an email exchange with a couple of weeks ago where we had a dispute about a civil service matter. However, the email was not the subject of the memo I was given.
From what I could deduce from the meeting, it sounded as if the memo referred to this person violating personnel practices.
I asked the Director to give me a copy of the defamatory statement I had made. He said He cannot give it to me.
I asked the Director if he has a copy of it for himself. He said No, he does not have a copy.
I asked the Director if he has ever seen this alleged written statement I allegedly made. He said NO, he has never seen it.
So I said "How can you accuse me of anything if you cannot produce any evidence?" His answer is he thinks there may be a statement that was made that can link you to it or identify you." I said "How?" He said he can't specify.
At this point I said I have to have union representation. The Director said I cannot have representation in the meeting because the meeting is not disciplinary. I disagree of course.
I was asked to sign the memo. There was a line on the bottom for me to sign on with a line saying I have received the memo. I signed it because I know that not signing it can be construed as insubordination or at least an act of defiance. On the memo above my signature, I wrote that I have not received a copy of the aforementioned statement I allegedly made.
I was also told that if I did not sign it within 48 hours, there will be a disciplinary hearing.
So, is there any wrongdoing here on the part of the Director? Am I supposed to get a copy of what I am being accused of? Can I be accused of and be written up without any evidence? And if they are so sure I am responsible, wouldn't they give me a copy right there?
Can they still try to persue a case against me?
The union has indicated that management may have opened themselves to liability. They need to investigate further.
thanks for any replies.
Hello,
I am an employee at a large NYC public agency, where I have been so for 14 years.
On Monday, I was called into my Department Director's office. I was put at a table with two other supervisors. I was given a memo from him accusing me that I have made a false written statement concerning a grudge about another employee in another department, and using agency letterhead for a private matter. From what I understand, it sounds quite defamatory and injurious to reputation.
The person identified in the letter that I am accused of making a statement is someone who I had an email exchange with a couple of weeks ago where we had a dispute about a civil service matter. However, the email was not the subject of the memo I was given.
From what I could deduce from the meeting, it sounded as if the memo referred to this person violating personnel practices.
I asked the Director to give me a copy of the defamatory statement I had made. He said He cannot give it to me.
I asked the Director if he has a copy of it for himself. He said No, he does not have a copy.
I asked the Director if he has ever seen this alleged written statement I allegedly made. He said NO, he has never seen it.
So I said "How can you accuse me of anything if you cannot produce any evidence?" His answer is he thinks there may be a statement that was made that can link you to it or identify you." I said "How?" He said he can't specify.
At this point I said I have to have union representation. The Director said I cannot have representation in the meeting because the meeting is not disciplinary. I disagree of course.
I was asked to sign the memo. There was a line on the bottom for me to sign on with a line saying I have received the memo. I signed it because I know that not signing it can be construed as insubordination or at least an act of defiance. On the memo above my signature, I wrote that I have not received a copy of the aforementioned statement I allegedly made.
I was also told that if I did not sign it within 48 hours, there will be a disciplinary hearing.
So, is there any wrongdoing here on the part of the Director? Am I supposed to get a copy of what I am being accused of? Can I be accused of and be written up without any evidence? And if they are so sure I am responsible, wouldn't they give me a copy right there?
Can they still try to persue a case against me?
The union has indicated that management may have opened themselves to liability. They need to investigate further.
thanks for any replies.