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Original poster

DS in trouble at work

166 replies

Whenisithometime · 16/03/2020 17:36

Hi

Just want advice.

My son is 18 and I just wanted to ask for other people’s advice regarding a silly incident.

He works in Tesco part time at the weekend. Recently, he posted something on his Facebook, it was something like “would be great if Tesco would close because of coronavirus so I can have some time off”

DS does not have his manager on his Facebook, so somebody on his has obviously told him. His manager rang him and asked him if he could come in sometime this week to speak to him regarding his social media content.

I just think this is shockingly ridiculous. What exactly has DS said that is so wrong? He obviously didn’t mean anything bad by what he wrote. Surely this is an overreaction?

OP posts:
sashh · 17/03/2020 01:59

I just think that as he’s 18, this is his first job, that he should be shown leniency.

He's an adult.

There are 18 year olds working as carers, in the armed forces, raising children.

Thatoneoverthere · 17/03/2020 02:44

But he is only 18 and has a lot to learn. He doesn’t have enough life experience yet

This is him getting life experience and learning. Yes we all have done stupid things, this is his and like @WaxOnFeckOff said its hardly earth shattering. Hopefully they won't be too bad and you know he'll never do it again.

CappyCapCap · 17/03/2020 06:00

Bet you were all perfect teenagers and never did or said anything silly?

Of course we all did. But once I was mature enough to get a job, I was mature enough to sign a contract and abide by the rules they stipulated.

It's not a shock or surprise theres social media policies this is talked about all the time. Even in schools before kids work. That you dont put anything on social media you wouldnt want an employer to see. Even a future one.

Not sure anyone has to be told to not make a joke about a really serious situation that people are scared of, when the joke is that you hope it gets worse. Worse to the point that supermarkets have to close so you can get a weekend off.

It's just not funny. Its entirely likely whoever has reported him is really quite anxious and this really bothered them.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
CappyCapCap · 17/03/2020 06:01

Hopefully they won't be too bad and you know he'll never do it again.

Despite the fact that I think what he did was ridiculous. I do hope this is the outcome.

AlwaysCheddar · 17/03/2020 06:16

He’s a dick. People will know he works at Tesco. It’s not a very compassionate comment to make at a time when people are scared/ill/dying. I assume he removed it? He should know better rather than acting so immature.

SquatBetty · 17/03/2020 06:47

It would be a daft thing to do in normal times but this is anything but normal times currently

He's been incredibly stupid but if he goes in and apologises sincerely I would hope he gets warning rather than being sacked.

EverythingChanges321 · 17/03/2020 12:40

If he didn’t mention Tesco by name, I don’t see how they can reprimand him? If they do, he needs to take it to a Tribunal.

Freedom of speech inc. making tasteless jokes, is an important freedom that needs maintaining, otherwise what the point?

itsallthedramaMickiloveit · 17/03/2020 12:42

The point is he signed a contract that had a strict social media policy. JFC how as a country did we get so stupid.

MissGuernsey · 17/03/2020 13:55

They won't sack him OP they need all the staff they can get at the moment what with all the eejits panic-buying!

Aridane · 17/03/2020 14:01

If he didn’t mention Tesco by name, I don’t see how they can reprimand him? If they do, he needs to take it to a Tribunal

Only if he has x2 years continuous employment with Tesco

ilovesooty · 17/03/2020 14:09

He's been stupid and you're doing him no favours by excusing his behaviour.

saraclara · 17/03/2020 14:12

Make sure he realises that he has to be entirely honest about what he wrote. It may well be that the person who reported him took a screenshot.

If he says he didn't mention Tesco, but the screen shot says otherwise, he will come off far worse. An error of judgment might be forgiven. Lying about it won't.

BillysMyBunny · 17/03/2020 14:13

Well on the bright side if he’s lucky he’ll be fired and get the time off he’s so desperate for.

Maisieme · 17/03/2020 14:19

I think everyone is being rather harsh. He’s just a boy and I hope he is forgiven by his employer. Please update us how he got on.

PhilCornwall1 · 17/03/2020 15:02

I think everyone is being rather harsh. He’s just a boy and I hope he is forgiven by his employer.

But 18 equates to an adult and the employer can also see it that way.

Thisismytimetoshine · 17/03/2020 15:14

“Just a boy” shouldn’t be offered as an excuse for anyone who considers themselves mature enough for the world of work.

BalloonSlayer · 17/03/2020 16:13

Oh for heavens' sake why are people being so horrible?!

I feel sorry for people working in Tescos at the moment . . . how scary it must be wondering which of the hundred rude selfish panic buyers, coughing all over the place you have had to serve that day is about to give you a serious illness. I don't blame him at all for wishing he could be at home instead of that.

I would suggest he lead with "I am getting scared of catching it and wish we would close and go to online shopping to minimise customer contact."

HunterHearstHelmsley · 17/03/2020 16:15

I've seen worse written. Coming from someone who once got fired for a social media post (Facebook in 2009).

I learned my lesson though. If I have work people on there, they are restricted. I will change the privacy for some posts if I'm ok with them seeing them.

itsallthedramaMickiloveit · 17/03/2020 17:34

@BalloonSlayer It's really not difficult to understand.

He can say it to people.
He can wish it and think it.

He can not say it on social media.

strawberrylipgloss · 18/03/2020 08:27

BalloonSlayer - I think this is one of those times teens realise why adults say watch what you say online because it's there forever.

Don't forget that this is the lad's mum not the teen who's written this. If he'd written that he has a meeting with his manager and was bricking it then I'd think we'd get posters saying that this is a small mistake in the grand scale of things and he can learn and move on.

wendywoopywoo222 · 18/03/2020 08:52

My friend's son got sacked from Sainsbury's for something very similar on snapchat. It will be a lesson learned.

Original poster
Whenisithometime · 18/03/2020 14:35

He went and apologised to his manager and said how extremely sorry and mortified he a
is and that he just wanted to lighten the situation.

It was just a friendly chat. wasn’t a formal meeting or anything. He is staying off social media for a while anyway.

OP posts:
redcarbluecar · 18/03/2020 14:42

That's good, OP.

WaxOnFeckOff · 18/03/2020 14:47

Common sense prevails. Good result OP.

NearlyGranny · 18/03/2020 14:54

That's the best result! He has learned a lesson without paying too high a price. Going in ready to apologise was brave and his manager will think better of him for not being surly and stubborn but reflective and remorseful.

He has just gained a big, useful chunk of life experience.