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The original was posted on /r/maliciouscompliance by /u/greenfrogyourhog on 2024-08-12 02:38:56+00:00.

My ex company was toxic for a number of reasons but anyway. Three members of my team were accused of bullying a supervisor (we’ll call him “Ben”). Anyway I’m out doing my job (which requires me to drive around multiple areas). I’m out working and my manager calls, (we will call him “Jack”). I answer the phone and quickly Jack tells me that we are going to be conference called with my colleague, Jack, myself and our in house legal team. Gulp, I’m nervous. Anyway he hangs up and 5 minutes later the phone rings, it’s the call I was warned about.

The legal team explains that there has been a report of workplace bullying & harassment made about all three of us. I ask for further information and get little to no response from them just that a person has made a complaint and the company will be conducting an external investigation. I’m both scared and annoyed that I can’t get any information on who made this complaint, but understand they work reveal the identity to protect them.

While on the phone I receive an offical legal letter outlining the allegations and it states that other parties back up these complaints. The letter has various policies and one such policy says that I am not permitted to speak or communicate with anyone involved in the matter, including any other persons also accused (I.e my colleague & manager)

This is where the malicious compliance comes in. After carefully reviewing the letter I email the legal team directly and inform them that I’ve read the latter and wish to follow all requirements. I state that, because they can’t / didn’t advise me who was involved. I couldn’t know who I am allowed to communicate with (including my manager). I write that I am forced to remain distant and not conduct any work related activities as I could possibly be breaching the legal letter. I inform them that they have to pay me in full while awaiting the outcome of the investigation.

I block all incoming calls from my colleagues except for the legal team and then continue to enjoy a fully paid period of leave (around 4 weeks) while they conduct the investigation. After all of this, what was the findings? Well the three of us were cleared of any wrongdoing (because the alleged misconduct never happened). The accuser “Ben” and witnesses were proven to have never been in the areas where they claim this occurred. Their work vehicle and company phone proved this. Also my vehicle and phone showed I was around 4 hours away from the area.

The cherry on top was that, throughout the investigation it was found that “Ben” was not working full days and was subsequently fired. I enjoyed my time off and took the opportunity to find a new and far better job. Before I left the procedure and legal letters were changed to prevent this occurring again because of my malicious compliance.