Hr & And A Conflict Of Interest

[kingboard]

Hello , a little help if possible from you good people . I work for a international company but am working in London . 5 months ago I was asked to become part of a working group with other people from around the UK . We are working on a project with the government . This is a project that I have used my holiday balance to attend a few meetings . I informed my HR department 5 months ago of the project and of my involvement . They never replied . The project is within the same field as my company but is about setting up a recognised training program with government backing . Last week I was asked directly by my director about the project and asked not to attend any more meetings . He feels it is a conflict of interest . My question is , by informing HR , was this not my company's opertunity to approach me with concerns if they where not happy . Have I done every think I should of ?

[Jackdaw33]

was this not my company's opertunity to approach me with concerns if they where not happy . Have I done every think I should of ?

This may go some way to explain the director's concerns

[Maydup]

You informed them which was the correct thing to do, they think there is a conflict of interest and have asked you not to attend further meetings. Not the outcome you wanted but sadly quite straighforward.

[fiction-factory]

Sorry, I'm not sure i see a problem. You can always ask your director and your line manager for clarification. Was the person you report to aware of the project or are you given the freedom to do what you like without letting your management know?

[fiction-factory]

I don't see this as a legal issue, kingboard- just an internal company matter

[Old_Geezer]

It did indeed give them such an opportunity. But I'd be surprised if not reacting immediately barred them from getting back to you later. I'd suggest discussing your view with the company, listening to their side, and hoping to make a case that changes their mind.

[Old_Geezer]

By the way, I'm just expressing an opinion, I'm not a legal expert. Another opinion is that in my limited experience HR doesn't give a darn about staff as the old Personnel used to. You're now just a resource.

[kingboard]

Thank you for your replys . It's s odd one , I will wait for any further information . The project was not linked to any kind of work I carry out for my company . We manufacture but employee people of a suitable qualification . We have links with a couple of training establishments . I believe that one of these links see the project as competition to their program and have complained . It's a shame that business would block s project that would only increase the end product .... Of more qualified people within this feild . I will have no more input into the program but it will be completed by others .

[fiction-factory]

>The project was not linked to any kind of work I carry out for my company .

Thayt may be another reason the director doesn'tt want you working on it.

Are you from the UK?

[fiction-factory]

* Sorry- keyboard is playing up a bit

[kingboard]

Yes I am living and working in UK

[fiction-factory]

Sorry, I know you are working in London but was wondering whether you are from overseas and maybe used to working in a different work culture that encourages employees to use their initiative to the full and go off and do their own thing

[kingboard]

Same company for 20 years , but will do as I have been asked . Chances are in 6 months .... As a company they may wish to be involved and I will unfortunately not have the passion to be . Head-down ... Keep working only 30 years till I can retire

[fiction-factory]

You say you were asked to become part of a working group with other people from around the UK. Who asked you, kingboard?
Do you have a line manager and do you have to report on what you are working on? Was he/she aware of what you were working on?

[Maydup]

As I understand it Kingboard was working in this project ouside of work (using up holiday time to attend meetings) developing a training programme which might be seen as competition to the training programmes offered by one of the companies his company uses. Does that make sense?