Hats on - advice needed
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Hats on - advice needed
A colleague has been summonsed to a "hats on" meeting, however she has not been advised in any way what the meeting is in relation to, or what they have allegedly done. Surely this is bang out of order, and possibly even illegal, and my colleague should have access to all the information relating to the "hats on" meeting?? Otherwise its effectively an ambush - how on earth could the person be expected to defend themselves, or properly explain their actions (whatever they are!)?
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Well, it could be that "She" is going to be informed of a Posting with an "Acting" promotion. The tone of your post, however, seems to suggest that there is something that you are aware of that leads you to believe that this is going to be " a one sided interview".
I have had the good fortune to be on the wrong side of the desk for two "hats on" interviews.
On both occaisions I was given no details as to the topic which was going to be up for discussion.
On both occaisions I had absolutely no doubt as to the topic which was going to be up for discussion.
If she hasn't done anything, there's nothing to worry about. If she's done so much that she's not sure what it could be, she can pray it's the "least of all the evils"
P1
On both occaisions I was given no details as to the topic which was going to be up for discussion.
On both occaisions I had absolutely no doubt as to the topic which was going to be up for discussion.
If she hasn't done anything, there's nothing to worry about. If she's done so much that she's not sure what it could be, she can pray it's the "least of all the evils"
P1
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Very tricky.
If we assume that it is going to be bad she might ask for advice from the unit EDA, usually OC PSF.
The best course of action, if she cannot answer immediately - I didn't or it wasn't me - is to ask for time to consider her response. Admit nothing and say 'I did nothing wrong'.
That last statement was sufficient for a Courts Martial to find someone not guilty as it was the perfect defence to 'knowingly . . . '
If we assume that it is going to be bad she might ask for advice from the unit EDA, usually OC PSF.
The best course of action, if she cannot answer immediately - I didn't or it wasn't me - is to ask for time to consider her response. Admit nothing and say 'I did nothing wrong'.
That last statement was sufficient for a Courts Martial to find someone not guilty as it was the perfect defence to 'knowingly . . . '
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How can it be illegal for a subordinate to be asked to come to a meeting with or without a hat. Start worrying when it's the RAF Police who want to interview you with a caution!
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GL - at least you'd know where you stood with the RAF Police, and you are given legal rights. In civilian employment there are laws on how such things are dealt with - being ambushed is certainly frowned upon.
I think there is a chance she has done something wrong, but she honestly doesn't know exactly what, and exactly what was wrong about it. Knowing up front would at least give her a chance to either put her hands up and say "I did it" and take the bollocking, or give her an opportunity to properly defend herself.
I think there is a chance she has done something wrong, but she honestly doesn't know exactly what, and exactly what was wrong about it. Knowing up front would at least give her a chance to either put her hands up and say "I did it" and take the bollocking, or give her an opportunity to properly defend herself.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Gilderoy, indeed, but it is the timing that is the issue.
If I see someone I want to interview NOW then I call them in and ask about whatever it is I wish to find out. If, OTOH, it is a pre-planned interview - my office, hats on, 1400, then I would expect them to have a pretty good idea what it is about.
If I see someone I want to interview NOW then I call them in and ask about whatever it is I wish to find out. If, OTOH, it is a pre-planned interview - my office, hats on, 1400, then I would expect them to have a pretty good idea what it is about.
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Hat on, finger off the transmit button, give them a damned good listening-to, salute smartly, exit stage right.
If they are not being told what it is, then senior type expects to transmit only - it makes them feel better some times.
If they are not being told what it is, then senior type expects to transmit only - it makes them feel better some times.
Only ever had one of those. Didn't have a clue why I'd been summoned. So, I went along (for fear of bring considered rude) wore hat , saluted, got b*llocking, saluted, about turned and left.
The thing is, even after the tirade from SLOPS, I STILL didn't know what it was all about. I think I was just duty victim that week. Strange boy.
Doc C
The thing is, even after the tirade from SLOPS, I STILL didn't know what it was all about. I think I was just duty victim that week. Strange boy.
Doc C
If asked if you have anything to say, state loudly and clearly:
"I deny everything and Capt Blackadder did not shoot any speckled plump-breasted-pigeons!"
If the self-important dick behind the desk drones on for more than about 10 seconds, sick one finger in each ear and say loudly and clearly:
"La la la....NOT LISTENING!!"
If there's a hats-off session afterwards, just tell him that his carpet is neither deep nor fluffy - and ask how on earth he can work in such a scruffy office!
A carpet of my acquaintance
at High Wycombe was pale blue and grubby - and the whole corridor smelled of wee!
Time these pathetic ambush style "March in the guilty ba$tard" sessions were condemned to history!
"I deny everything and Capt Blackadder did not shoot any speckled plump-breasted-pigeons!"
If the self-important dick behind the desk drones on for more than about 10 seconds, sick one finger in each ear and say loudly and clearly:
"La la la....NOT LISTENING!!"
If there's a hats-off session afterwards, just tell him that his carpet is neither deep nor fluffy - and ask how on earth he can work in such a scruffy office!
A carpet of my acquaintance
at High Wycombe was pale blue and grubby - and the whole corridor smelled of wee!Time these pathetic ambush style "March in the guilty ba$tard" sessions were condemned to history!
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Ultimately, if this was a potential disciplinary issue, they'd know about it wouldn't they? I mean If a hats on is just a bollocking, then thats one thing and can be accepted, but if its a precursor to a discip then surely they'd need to know what its all about beforehand?
Best to keep quiet as you may drop yourself in more pooh! Just imagine the other person is sat behind the desk on a toilet with their underwear round their ankles!! It always worked for me!!
PS Luckily I was never called before JRW so I cant imagine how one would cope if he was giving the "Bo...king". He always said that the victims came out with a severe dose of " Stationcommanderitis!!"
PS Luckily I was never called before JRW so I cant imagine how one would cope if he was giving the "Bo...king". He always said that the victims came out with a severe dose of " Stationcommanderitis!!"
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Plod,
Your post strikes me as strange. A bit of a 'I've got this mate.....' type story. If you and your female friend are anything other than professionally linked (if you know what I mean), then I would advise fessing to partners before any doodoo hits any rotating cooling devices.
But probably not the case, as this never happens in the modern services.
Regards,
Advo
Your post strikes me as strange. A bit of a 'I've got this mate.....' type story. If you and your female friend are anything other than professionally linked (if you know what I mean), then I would advise fessing to partners before any doodoo hits any rotating cooling devices.
But probably not the case, as this never happens in the modern services.
Regards,
Advo
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I have been ambushed in this way, and the idiot had a letter from my solicitor in his in-tray 2 hours later threatening civil litigation if he continued with his stated intentions. I won the first battle and he destroyed my career with sufficient tactics that the redress that I would have enjoyed could never happen. Morale high ground, but going nuclear early is not always wise.
My advice with the benefit of hindsight, and having seen somebody do this, is to be equipped with a dictaphone and record everything that is said.
If nothing else, it gives your mates a laugh if it is a crap b011icking over a petty matter. PB v PR (230) refers
My advice with the benefit of hindsight, and having seen somebody do this, is to be equipped with a dictaphone and record everything that is said.
If nothing else, it gives your mates a laugh if it is a crap b011icking over a petty matter. PB v PR (230) refers
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No reason why more senior officer (boss or CO) can't ask for a formal interview at any time - goes with the rank and the service, could be good news, could be bad news. It would be appropriate to ask the boss or CO (or, informally, one of their staff, OC Admin, SWO, ADC, PSO, usual suspects - shows initiative!) for a heads-up if the interviewee is really in the dark, and it would be courteous to receive an answer, although the intent may be to make the interviewer squirm as a punishment. If they have screwed up, best to admit it and take the b0llocking - clearly not an interview under caution, charge, court martial or administrative action under QR whatever it is. If it starts to look like it is, they should get help very quickly, possibly including legal advice!
There may be an element of wind up if the interviewee is a very junior officer, learning a lesson and all that. If so, take it on the chin, it will in all likelihood blow over after a week (until ACR time)! May also be a test of character - wait until the interview or fess up beforehand.
Always best to admit mistakes before found out, no matter how bad, and ideally with a solution to offer up. Any boss or CO will respect this greatly. Unless they are a git! Most of us have been there, those who haven't have not been found out.
There may be an element of wind up if the interviewee is a very junior officer, learning a lesson and all that. If so, take it on the chin, it will in all likelihood blow over after a week (until ACR time)! May also be a test of character - wait until the interview or fess up beforehand.
Always best to admit mistakes before found out, no matter how bad, and ideally with a solution to offer up. Any boss or CO will respect this greatly. Unless they are a git! Most of us have been there, those who haven't have not been found out.
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I think, that knowing the pride and smartness of some people in certain forces, - it would be more likely that they want to see if you actually have a hat, or your friend??
I do not really think that it is ‘illegal’ in the normal military for a boss to summon a junior fearing hell and damnation from the legal system; need to leave and join the Peace Corps if that an initial reaction. Just do it and let us know what it was for?
I do not really think that it is ‘illegal’ in the normal military for a boss to summon a junior fearing hell and damnation from the legal system; need to leave and join the Peace Corps if that an initial reaction. Just do it and let us know what it was for?
