Verbal warnings

[claire@dukes]

My boss has just told me that she is giving me a verbal warning. i work for a childrens charity and took some young people swimming without completeling a risk assetment.

1. I have never been given training on risk assetments or any formal training
2. I feel that my boss has failed to support me in my role

I explained that i was very unhappy with the warning and that i agreed i did not do the assesment but that they should also harbour some of the blame for not training me.

Can i appeal?

[MORELLO]

If you haven't been trained in how to complete a risk assessment you can't really be held responsible for not doing one. More importantly, it was your boss'/supervisors responsibility to ensure only a member of staff who had been trained, was allowed to take the kids on such an activity. Therefore I would say at least part responsibility lies with them/her, and based on that would appeal. Good luck.

[becks]

Who authorised you to take them? That person should not have done so, did you make them aware that you could not complete a risk assessment form? If so, go to them and appeal. In future, refuse to do anything that requires a RA form and see how quickly they train you up.

[undercovers]

i'd appeal to a boss a bit higher up - state your concerns e.g. lack of training and lack of support in writing.

[Gef]

Who made the decision to take them swimming?

[davemerlin]

Basically anything that you do in your job has to be Risk Assessed - if you use a computer, it has to be done, if you carry things up and down stairs, it has to be done, if you take people off site it has to be done.

Normally someone in the organisation has responsibility for preparing the Risk Assessments but that does not exonerate you entirely from making certain that a RA is in place.

Completing a RA is a matter of common sense - look at the activity, decide what risks are involved with that activity, determine whether the risks are low, medium or high, determine who is at risk from the activity and record your findings - even if it is on a blank piece of paper not an official form at least in the event of anything untoward happening someone has assessed the risks.

I cannot speak for your employer's position on this matter but feel that in this instance it may be better to accept the situation gracefully and learn from it - if in doubt ask that way you avoid a repetition and any unpleasantness - dave

[joko]

when you took the job did you give the impression you knew all about the job in full? if you led them to believe you were completely competent in every aspect of the job at hand they may think you have mislead them or even lied.

they may feel that you should have known and if you don't then you shouldn't be in the job.

they may re- evaluate your role in the job so be careful in your complaints

[tmjerseyboy]

As a teacher I have never had formal training in doing a risk assessment. However, I am fully aware that they have to be done and that if I decide to take the kids somewhere it is MY responsibility to do a RA. It is my bosses job to ensure one is done. They are fully entitled to reprimand me if I don't do one. I would stop looking for excuses and realise that in this case it is your responsibility.