I've lost the only key...

[Inrealtroublenow]

To the laptop cabinet in the office. All our laptops are stored in there. Feel sick at having to admit that to boss tomorrow. Looked everywhere in office/ home/ coat/ bag. I was the only one in yesterday and today so it's definitely me and not anyone else. Was told when I started (relatively recently) to protect key with my life because it's the only copy.

Where did you usually keep it? Did you drive home? Could it be in the car?

Do you have a drill?

Is the cabinet locked? If so, you’ve put the key somewhere and it will turn up. Lesson for the company here really, someone was going to lose it eventually.
Will be disruption for a day while they get a locksmith out and then back to normal. Maybe a new cabinet with more than one key.
Just be honest, say you can’t locate the key after locking it (it was you?) and what do they want you to arrange.

It's kept on a hook in office usually. But it's not there and has not fallen down the back of anything. I've pulled apart house office and car and it just seems to have vanished. I have a drill so maybe could break into it if needed but would then need to replace obviously and we are really short on money at the moment anyway. Honestly it's the worst feeling in the world.

It sounds like a completely unsafe and bonkers system tbh.

It is their own fault for only having one key; that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard of. It was only a matter of time before something happened to the key.

Try to calm down then methodically look through every place the key might be, setting each item aside once you've thoroughly checked it. Every pocket, every section of your bag and purse, every part of your car, your coat, everywhere.

If the key is truly lost they can get a locksmith in to break it open, it's not the end of the world. Nobody died and it's a small expense in the grand scheme of things.

Yes cabinet is locked. No one will be able to do any work without the keys. I realised this afternoon when I had finished client meetings and have spent the last four hours desperately trying to find it.

You didnt do it deliberately and there should have been a spare key, have you asked your boss if he has a spare, he might be telling porkies to frighten you. What would they do if your became unwell and had the key. Have you looked on the floor, under the desks, is there a keysafe. If all else fails boss will need to get a locksmith.

If locksmith has to bust lock (which is looking more and more likely) will the whole cabinet need replacing or just the lock? God I feel so stupid.

Some cabinets have numbers on the locks if it's a metal filing cabinet type thing so a locksmith might just be able to source a key for you.

Is it still in the cabinet?
Have you tipped your bag out? I can lose all sorts in my bag and only a tip out will find it.
Did you put it in your purse?
In your car?

If it isn’t there, you need Saint Anthony.

‘Sake though. Only one key? 🥴

Yes its madness and I just knew it would be me who lost them! There are only 6 of us who work there and it isn't the most organised of places.

If you cant find it and there is definitely not a spare I would tell boss tonight so a locksmith can come out in the morning.

They're absolutely bloody stupid to only have one key. For goodness sake!

As said above, check the lock. If it has a number of it, you can Google "replacement key" and you can fill in an online form and they will send you a replacement either 1st class or you can pay extra for next day delivery.

How stupid of them not have copies of the key 🙄 how do they run that company? It’s basic stuff.
Just tell your boss.

A colleague lost his keys and they turned up on his desk chair, on the bit where the backrest support meets the seat. Have you checked anywhere you might have sat? Did the phone ring or something else just as you locked it that meant you went somewhere else rather than to the hook? (which sounds bonkers, by the way. What on earth is the point of locking something then keeping the key in the same building where anyone breaking in would be able to get to it?! )

Don't feel bad, nothing comes with just one key, so obviously at least one, probably two keys have already been lost... these things happen! It will be somewhere really obvious, take a deep breath, wait a bit and then retrace your steps, it hasn't vanished into thin air. When you usually use it, what do you do with it? Put it in your pocket? Straight back on the hook? Did you make a cuppa, need a wee, leave straight after you locked it? Do you remember locking it? Empty your bag, feel for holes in the lining, check under your car seat if you think it might have got so far. Recheck your pockets. It's somewhere!

Mn is a great place to help with lost items.. Where was your usual place to put it? Your office clothes?. Laundry basket? Bedroom floor?
Car? Road next to car? Handbag?

I'm just wondering if it's something I could lose my job for. My boss seems lovely. It's just such a stupid mistake.

It's only the one key because they've already lost the others.

Depending upon the type of lock, the majority can be overcome with a screwdriver and occasionally a hammer. Or replacements ordered online.

Please don't make yourself ill over this. All that needs to happen is for the problem to be resolved which is straightforward.

Call/text boss tonight saying key is lost, you have spent four hours looking and wanted to give heads up so a locksmith could be arranged for morning.

In the grand scheme of things this is tiny. Ridiculous system, there should be spares in a lockbox.

Don't pay to replace the lock. It's a stupid system. Does anyone know you had the key?

No you wont lose your job, just call him and put your mind at rest.

Is the usual hook in your home office or at a workplace? If a workplace maybe someone has accidentally picked it up.

A few years ago this happened where I work, long story short a visitor picked up an office key thinking was theirs, major panic ensued until the visitor breezily popped back in a few days later and dropped it off.

I think there was a spare somewhere but it was a sensitive key and would have been a lot of trouble if it hadn't been found

Checked all pocket?? Shoes? Your bra?!
I've had the odd key/missing pound/ hairband fall out at the end of the day

In all seriousness, this is not the end of the world. It's a strange system to use. These things happen.