Hassle in the workplace

[gareth]

I've lost a temp job because i was overheard discussing the evidence supporting a controlled demolition of the Twin Towers. I was told (over the phone, on sunday afternoon, and by my recruitment agency not the employer) that opinions like mine are unacceptable and that i won't be welcome back.

[Skeptic]

Harsh.

Did you sign anything with the recruitment agency?

Do they have an equal opps policy?

Good luck.

[Rowan Berkeley]

hard luck, chum - but there must be some more free-wheeling agencies (of course it depends what you do).

[gareth]

[kbo234]

[spiv]

Sorry to hear of the discrimination which you've been subjected to. In case you ever face a similar situation again, do familiarise yourself with employment law.

May I suggest looking at the ACAS site, at http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=341

and also those of you working in the public sector, think of your human rights, in particular articles 9 & 10 of the convention, see http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1998/80042--d.htm#sch1

As far as I know, there is no defence by an employer for dismissal, instant or otherwise, on the grounds of the beliefs you hold regarding 911. So if you have been in your employment for one year and have earned the right not to be unfairly dismissed, see http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1112

As employment law is so weighted towards the employee these days, the mere threat of taking an employer to an employment tribunal may be enough to just focus the employer's mind.

[andyb]

Sorry to hear that Gareth. Unfortnately as a temp your rights are few and far between and nothing you can really do. I would join a few other agencies as I doubt that one will use you again. how long were you in the job?

[gareth]

Just four days Andy. I find it very difficult to not tell people. Must try harder.

[edit] Thanks for the links spiv!

[Disco_Destroyer]

[telecasterisation]

One important point that hasn't been mentioned is the type of business that is carried out at the place you were temping.

This may have an important bearing on why you given the red card. For example, a supply teacher is overheard discussing his exploits at the paedo club he frequents on a sunday.

If however you can demonstrate that you were working at a place where they make cardboard boxes - then your views on 911 have no bearing whatsoever on your input as an employee, temporary or otherwise. Ask for the reasons you are no longer welcome in writing as this initially appears to be groundless discrimination.

[TonyGosling]

Who are the recruitment agency involved? We can advise all 9/11 Truthers to share this info and boycott the agency. I will personally make a point of going to see them if they have an office in Bristol and giving them a piece of my mind in as kind a way as possible with the little Nazis!
In law I'm not sure if there's anything you can do. Certainly if you're on a contract or permanent staff they'd have all sorts of problems sacking you for this reason.
Let's make the most of this and, without revealing your identity, go for the b******!

[Mark Gobell]

Nasty little corporate monsters aren't they ?

Here's the position you may like to read up on Gareth.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/EmploymentContractsAn dConditions/DG_10027514

[gareth]

[Dr Doom]

I didn't voice my 9/11 opinions too loudly at the last company I worked at for exactly this reason. Although most people under 30 I speak to seem to be already of the same opinion, or at least receptive.

Anyone who's been locked into the corporate ladder for a good length of time, say 10+ years, something like 9/11 being an inside job totally undermines their belief system, and sense of self-importance.

Which is why they are likely to react ruthlessly, imho.

[Mark Gobell]

The http://www.firstrecruitment.co.uk/ website proudly displays the logo of the Recruitment & Employment Federation.

The REC Standards page is here: http://www.rec.uk.com/about-recruitment/standards

where it clearly states:

[Sherlock Holmes]

You must take this further, it's unacceptable, you have to take time, start writing letters and contacting the Citizens Advice Bureau. If they won't help you then you need to go to some 'no win no fee' solicitor for advice, there are solicitors out there who will see if they can get legal aid to assist you.

This is totally unacceptable and if you let it pass then they will just step on even more people.

This is coming from someone who had a visit from the police who said that there was nothing wrong with distributing DVDs without the express permission from the people who recieved them, it's freedom of speech and expression of opinion and it's not racist, inflammatory, supporting terrorism etc!!!

In the worst case scenario even if you were a supply teacher, as long as you presented your views to the children in a balanced way in which they were allowed to question and form their own opinions I can't see how they could have sacked you.

[peloloco]

Sorry to hear that Gareth, i'm sure you will be back in employment soon. Their loss I say. My "bosses" get jittery as I play music by Remo Conscious or Paris. Sorry excuses for men with Soft bodies and weak minds, more interested in their Addidas trainers than the truth about the world we are making for our kids.

I will probably get the sack for the same reason.

Good luck

Al

[telecasterisation]

In Avon & Somerset Police Headquarters there are signs everywhere about being anti-gay in the workplace. The slightest hint at anything resembling homophobia in a conversation and you are up on a disciplinary - and these aren't serving police officers, this is on the civilian side.

That said, there are all kinds of taboo subjects within organisations, so I'd still like to know what business was carried out at the place where the temping took place?

This is integral to the whole concept of why the complaint was made to the agency. It isn't about what WE think, it is about grasping why others were compromised to the point of having to gripe to the agency that sent him. I believe it is not down to the agency, they simply received a complaint about someone who was sent along which they acted upon.

I am not defending anyone, I am simply saying there is a lot not being detailed here and we made judgements on quite sketchy information.

[Mark Gobell]

So important to have context Tele.

I mean, how would anyone contest a breach of their human rights if we didn't have "context" ?

In case you missed it, or were too lazy to click on Gareth's link to his former "employer", you might like to know that Recall is in the business of information, documents, IT, shredding, data retention, blah blah.

Oh and they are affiliated to the:

[telecasterisation]

[Mark Gobell]

The Equality Act 2006 is, naturally a legal bowl of porridge:

http://www.personneltoday.com/Articles/2007/06/13/40951/believe-it-or- not-what-will-be-the-impact-of-extending-religious-discrimination-rule s-to-cover-philo.html

[TonyGosling]

B O Y C O T T

[telecasterisation]

Boycott the agency?

Gareth was told he was not welcome due to what he said about 911 and now you tell all 911 truthers to avoid the agency in question! By telling all 911 truthers not to use the agency, you have done their work for them.

Can't you honestly see that is exactly the move that would make them happiest?

They don't want any 911 truthers and you instigate a move whereby they get the best possible result?

With the greatest respect, this hasn't been thought through.

[gareth]

I'm not going into the specifics on a public forum. I've PM'd Mark Gobell in more detail and if he thinks we got a case, i'm game. Equality for people who are fully aware the Twin Towers were blown up. How else is a man to cope? I can prove what i claim after all.

[andyb]

Go for it Gareth, as it is discrimination. I actually put my 9/11 stuff on my CV so as not to get that and regularly wear my Investigate 9/11 tshirt on Fridays, and I work for a government agency!

The only thing about the complaint is who is it directed at. As a temp, your contract is with the agency and they are in effect your employer. It may be worth trying to call them and tape the conversation as they may just say you weren't up to the job and deny the reasons. Give the REC a call and see what they have to say too.

[gareth]

I do already put down that i am a campaigner for the London 911 Truth group on my CV amongst my other 'interests'.

[TonyGosling]

Sorry Gareth but this is going to make you REALLY angry.

From The Times
August 9, 2007
Child protection officer exposed as paedophile is still on police payroll
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2224849.ece

Sean O’Neill and Russell Jenkins

A police force is continuing to pay a former child protection officer’s £35,000 salary despite his conviction for serious paedophile offences, The Times has learnt.

DC Peter Cooper, 58, was found guilty last month of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy but remains suspended on full pay pending a police disciplinary tribunal.



West Midlands Police will not reveal when its misconduct panel will meet to hear the case, which is expected to result in the officer’s dismissal from the force. It may not take place until after Cooper has been sentenced at Stafford Crown Court this month.............(continues)...........[/quote]

[Stephen]

If your a temp they will treat you like nonsense.

Sorry to hear about your bad luck mate.

[Disco_Destroyer]

[blackcat]

From personal experience and after consulting the CAB at the time (three years ago) I can say with certainty that as someone working through an agency you have no rights and can be terminated at a moments notice without reason or compensation. Its called a flexible workforce. We need it to be competitive apparently! Ask any millionaire and he will tell you that without such flexibility and a minimum wage set so low as to be not worth having, the country will go down the economic pan. Let the rich have it all and then it will trickle down - get the idea?! Its called Thatcherism. Or Majorism. Or Blairism. Or Brownism. Or Fascism.....