Under investigation for theft at work

[Namechange31]

Name changed for this... Long and short of it is this. I received cash at work to be deposited back in Nov. Gave this cash to a direct report of mine to deposit which is normal practice. Looking back I didnt receive a receipt. This money is now missing.

Direct report when questioned said yes they remembered receiving the cash, thought they had put the receipt on my desk. Said they would look at home.

When questioned more formally the next day stuck with this story and then immediately after the meeting said they thought they were getting mixed up and in fact had never seen this money, didnt deposit it and knew nothing about it.

I've now been called to an investigation meeting regarding this money. They will have also. My job share colleague has also been called as a witness as well potentially 2 other members of staff who came into contact with the money. My invite says I can be accompanied whereas my job shares letter says they are purely being called as a witness.

Basically it comes down to them investigating whether myself or job share are responsible for this missing money.

I've given times, dates and an exact account of what happened informally.

I know categorically 100% I passed this over and it was out of my hands but I cant actually prove it. We share an office so it was done verbally.

I'm devastated that I could potentially lose my job for something I haven't done!! Any advice? I'm not in a union.

Good luck OP

Hope everything has gone well this afternoon. Good luck

Thanks. I stuck to facts so I've done all I can do. Been told it could run on into the new year so could be in this for the long haul unfortunately

What questions did they put to you? Did you raise the issue of your bank card being stolen?

Just my versions of events, normal procedure etc.

I did raise it. They said it added another dimension or something along those lines. Obviously it doesn't prove anything but I guess it builds a picture.

Hope you're feeling ok about it and thanks for the update.

Thanks OP. If it does run on into the new year that's a bit boring/stressful! But maybe they're just giving you the worst-case scenario. I'm sure you'll be fine – and MN is here for virtual cups of tea and support anyway.

I finish up on friday until the new year anyway so I guess it's most likely it will go beyond then. Will just need to try and put it put my mind until I hear. It's not ideal but i guess there isn't anything more i can do.

Thanks for the support. It's meant alot

I was once suspended on suspicion of fraud. Two colleagues were actually committing fraud and whilst I wasnt initially suspected, I had been there whilst it was being committed.

Later one of the guys changed his story from "she was around but didn't know" to "she knew and was involved", mostly to try and deflect attention from himself but also because of internal politics. It went against him in the long run but it's shitty when it's your word against theirs.

I was exonerated eventually, but it took weeks and was really stressful. You colleague is likely a shitlord who stole the money and is quite happy to see you take the blame - don't be nice about this because he won't be.

It's so frustrating that things like this always have to happen at these times, the Christmas break will obviously add extra time to the investigation and cause worry and stress to you over the holidays. and for you.

You know you are telling the truth and FWIW, I imagine it will be obvious to people in RL. Hopefully you will be totally exonerated soon, and have this lifted off your shoulders for good.

How horrible it's hanging over you but the job offer etc definitely means innocent unless proven guilty which they can't do.

Hi OP, you haven't been far from my thoughts. Just wondering how things are now?