The Truth and Nothing But...

Now and again you have a day in which everything changes. It starts out normal and then gets more and more – well, surreal isn’t a strong enough word. I’d booked the morning off. With the fuss Howard kicked up before I left you would have thought it was a sabbatical. Last week, when I had handed in my holiday form, Howard handed in a request that the Sunshine Variety Club replace me with a different “spastic” for him to teach basic typing, preferably one who takes fewer half day holidays.

I knew something was up. I asked Howard if I’d missed anything and he said no. He was cryptic though and the Office Manager seemed to know what he was on about. Then Howard sent me an e-mail which said to double delete what he sends me. Another e-mail arrived with a single attachment. Opening it, I thought for one horrifying, jaw dropping moment that he’d found notes I’d made for my blog. Then I understood in a similarly horrifying, jaw dropping moment that I was reading something legal – and written by somebody else.

It was an extract of a witness statement, written by our former office junior, proposing to take legal action against the firm for unfair dismissal due to her medical condition. She cites Howard's bullying as a big part of this.

The office junior was sacked months ago due to ill health. I won’t say what it was – she was sensitive about it. The witness statement was specific. Amongst other things it accuses Howard of insulting her disorder, looks, weight, figure, her background and the amount of money she earned.

Howard forwarded me the lengthy rebuttal letter he’d sent to our employment lawyer. He swears he never said a word of it. I don’t know about the other stuff, but she’s certainly telling the truth about Howard. I overheard most of it. She’d been the next ‘loser’ in line after me.

“Why don’t you join her?” He said angrily. “Then you can all bloody well sue me in a class action.”

I wouldn’t waste my time. Howard has given me numerous examples of how he can twist things and justify anything. It’s what he does for a living, it’s what they all do, these solicitors. Its one big game and they love it. Taking Howard to a Tribunal is like volunteering your team to play football at the opposing side’s home ground knowing you’re a couple of men down.

Now, my job, that’s different. I’m paid to type things accurately – so that’s what I do. Even when the truth is stranger than fiction – it’s still the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

See you soon,

Eva x