Work grievance outside work

[Marcus-2001]

I was recently on a night out with some colleagues as a good friend of mine was leaving the company. The night out was just arranged between ourselves, it was not officially sanctioned by the company.

I have had a bit of history (nothing major but he once called me a ****** on an email) with one of the people present.

I decided the use the opportunity of being away from the work place to discuss the previous issue with the person concerned. The conversation became a little heated but nothing transpired of any importance.

The person left the leaving do early in a bit of a huff and has now lodged an official grievance against me at work.

On seeing his initial complaint there really wasn't anything in it that could be considered a grievance and when I pointed this out to the Personnel Department he was given the opportunity to elaborate.

I am awaiting receipt of what the newly elaborated grievance might be but, in the meantime, whilst I understand that, say, a sexual harassment grievance on an unofficial company do might have to be taken in to consideration by the company would someone please advise me whether the outline given above has any reason to be taken up by my company please ?

Are there any steadfast laws or precedents whereby occurences outisde of work are or are not to be taken up by the company please ?

Thanks.

[Schutzengel]

Marcus,
Your work colleague was completely out of order for referring to you in a derogatory manner in an e-mail at work. Is your company aware of this, and did you keep the e-mail. If the person attempts to press ahead with his grievance against you, I think his previous action would count against him. For the life of me, I can't see what on earth it has to do with the company, no matter what was discussed outside of work. If it was, I imagine there would be many people who would be worried about things they had said in a private conversation, heated or not.

[Marcus-2001]

Yes, i kept the email and proceeded with a grievance against him for it after he submitted his spurious out of work grievance. Thanks for sympathy but you didn't help me with the legal position. Thanks anyway.

[Schutzengel]

Marcus,
Sorry I couldn't help you with the legal aspect, as I'm no legal eagle. But reading your message, the way the company was treating you seemed so unfair. Hope you find the information you need, and the matter is resolved to your advantage. Good Luck.

[thugulike]

This is not a work issue unless everybody was invited and the invitation was, say, on a notice board at work. Make this point firmly. I am a corporate investigating officer and have similar complaints in the past. ET is clear about this and it's not a work issue.

[Marcus-2001]

Thanks thugulike. What's ET please, Employment Tribunal ?
Is there a source of information where the fact that it is not a work issue is stated clearly please ?