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Original poster

Stolen Bottle of Champagne

183 replies

NameChangeAndLifeChange · 10/08/2024 15:30

A bottle of champagne, worth about £70, has been stolen from the office.

Our manager said that if it's not replaced then the four staff members will need to pay for it between us.

I've got an idea who may have taken it but I can't be 100% sure.

I'm simply not prepared to pay for it. Why should I? Everyone else thinks we should!

Apparently I may get a written warning for not contributing (whilst that thief walks free)!!!

OP posts:
SquishyGloopyBum · 10/08/2024 18:03

If it's team champagne then everyone should be paying - including him.

Stick by your guns.

EatTheGnome · 10/08/2024 17:59

NameChangeAndLifeChange · 10/08/2024 16:04

I wouldn't resign as such, I'd just tell him where to stick the job and walk out of the door.

I've thought of doing it previously and would probably enjoy doing so!

Show quote history

That would be a stupid thing to do.

You'll looks guilty and your employer will make sure word gets around and refuse you a reference.

Why choose that option when you can decide to keep written records and make a case for tribunal and a payoff.

Catandsquirrel · 10/08/2024 17:58

I'd start by asking for his request laid out in writing and the policy in which that's in line with. I know there is none but it might shut him up.

WiddlinDiddlin · 10/08/2024 17:56

Oh I would absolutely give him enough rope and see what happens...

Act serious - ask for this issue to be addressed in writing, so setting out what has happened and what he suggests should happen next.

Then reply in writing to clarify that he wants you all to pay to replace something that jointly belonged to you all in the first place, and that he has no proof anyone actually stole...

Then tell him 'No'. Sit back and see what happens!

HappiestSleeping · 10/08/2024 17:55

OneCoolPearlOP · 10/08/2024 17:45

Au contraire, the real thief would happily pay up because
a) They'd be quids in - a £70 bottle for £20
b) It assures zero repercussion. Presumably everyone pays up and the matter is closed without any further investigation.

There's zero need to make anybody pay anyway for something received as a gift. If the intention was to catch a thief then a proper investigation should be launched instead of this childish method of collective punishment.

Show quote history

That isn't what I said though. I know the real thief would be happy with this arrangement. What I meant was I understand (not agree with) the manager thinking this way. I don't subscribe to it myself, it is a very old school military way of dealing with something. As I said, there are much better ways to handle it. I completely agree that nobody needs to pay, however that does not mean that someone who took something that didn't belong to them should be allowed to get away with it.

I doubt that there is any way of reliably catching the perpetrator in this instance.

There is always the possibility that the other three all enjoyed it one evening and left the OP out.

AGodawfulsmallaffair · 10/08/2024 17:50

I think I’d really enjoy the tribunal.
Staying and demanding he put his illegal request in writing ( if he hasn’t already ) would give me a fair bit of pleasure.

OneCoolPearlOP · 10/08/2024 17:45

HappiestSleeping · 10/08/2024 17:40

@NameChangeAndLifeChange if you tell him to stick it and walk out, it is likely that a)he will think you stole it, and b)the real thief will incriminate you.

Personally, I would stay there and if your manager tries to give you a written warning, please make sure that they understand that the wording needs to be something along the lines of "warned for not paying to replace a bottle of champagne stolen by someone else".

I get the sentiment of punishing everyone if the culprit is not forthcoming, but there are so many different (and better) ways to handle it.

Au contraire, the real thief would happily pay up because
a) They'd be quids in - a £70 bottle for £20
b) It assures zero repercussion. Presumably everyone pays up and the matter is closed without any further investigation.

There's zero need to make anybody pay anyway for something received as a gift. If the intention was to catch a thief then a proper investigation should be launched instead of this childish method of collective punishment.

Saltedbutter · 10/08/2024 17:45

Defend yourself until you get the warning, or better - sacked, and enjoy the tribunal. Don’t give him a bloody penny.

CountessWindyBottom · 10/08/2024 17:44

NameChangeAndLifeChange · 10/08/2024 17:40

It was left on the side in the small kitchen at work.

A few days later he then apparently asked if anyone knew where it was (I wasn't there at the time).

To be honest, I think I may actually start to enjoy the drama and how it progresses.

Unfortunately my colleagues are not in the same position as me so are more upset, hence they want to pay for it!

He's as guilty as bloody sin! He took the bottle himself.

I agree with the poster who said leaving would perhaps implicate you in some way.

I'd ride this one out and dig my heels in. And I'd urge the others to do the same. He can't simply fire you all, and on what basis? I'd let him back himself into a corner.

RandomUsernameHere · 10/08/2024 17:44

How does your manager know it was one of the four staff members who stole it? It could have been anyone. He's being ridiculous.

KimberleyClark · 10/08/2024 17:41

Is there nowhere in the office where valuables can be locked away?

SnoopySnoopDoggIsTheBest · 10/08/2024 17:40

Has anyone checked the fridge!

x

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 10/08/2024 17:40

Get advice from ACAS and then keep all communication written thereafter.

Blondiebeachbabe · 10/08/2024 17:40

Obviously he can't do that, but my question is WHAT FOR? Where would the money go? No one is out of pocket, given that the champagne was a gift.

HappiestSleeping · 10/08/2024 17:40

@NameChangeAndLifeChange if you tell him to stick it and walk out, it is likely that a)he will think you stole it, and b)the real thief will incriminate you.

Personally, I would stay there and if your manager tries to give you a written warning, please make sure that they understand that the wording needs to be something along the lines of "warned for not paying to replace a bottle of champagne stolen by someone else".

I get the sentiment of punishing everyone if the culprit is not forthcoming, but there are so many different (and better) ways to handle it.

Original poster
NameChangeAndLifeChange · 10/08/2024 17:40

It was left on the side in the small kitchen at work.

A few days later he then apparently asked if anyone knew where it was (I wasn't there at the time).

To be honest, I think I may actually start to enjoy the drama and how it progresses.

Unfortunately my colleagues are not in the same position as me so are more upset, hence they want to pay for it!

OP posts:
FloofPaws · 10/08/2024 17:40

I also think it's the boss - he sounds dreadful to work for!!

SnoopySnoopDoggIsTheBest · 10/08/2024 17:39

Dear OP,

Please do not back down.
Please join a Union.
Your boss is a total ***!

x

Rewis · 10/08/2024 17:39

Is he actually going to buy a new bottle to share with the team? Doubt it.

spicysamosahotcupoftea · 10/08/2024 17:38

NameChangeAndLifeChange · 10/08/2024 17:34

The champagne was brought in to thank the team.

I think he'd planned to leave it there for a while and then sneak it home nearer to Christmas when we'd all forgotten about it.

Perhaps he's done that anyway?

I just came on to say this. He took it.

Do not pay! I'm loving your stand, don't back down

ohyesido · 10/08/2024 17:36

I think it was the manager, and this ridiculous action is a deflection

MissEsmeWatson · 10/08/2024 17:36

Are you absolutely a zillion per cent sure it can't have been put somewhere "safe"? I do that at home all the time and find it months later somewhere completely illogical.

OneCoolPearlOP · 10/08/2024 17:35

NameChangeAndLifeChange · 10/08/2024 17:34

The champagne was brought in to thank the team.

I think he'd planned to leave it there for a while and then sneak it home nearer to Christmas when we'd all forgotten about it.

Perhaps he's done that anyway?

How was the theft discovered?
Where was the champagne kept?

Original poster
NameChangeAndLifeChange · 10/08/2024 17:34

The champagne was brought in to thank the team.

I think he'd planned to leave it there for a while and then sneak it home nearer to Christmas when we'd all forgotten about it.

Perhaps he's done that anyway?

OP posts:
ajandjjmum · 10/08/2024 17:34

Surely it would be far more satisfying to refuse to pay, have your boss taken the action he feels appropriate and then sue him for unfair dismissal?