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.

So pleased you found it!

People make mistakes but only one key, why the ham bap has it not been cut for a few more for just such emergencies...like this. I question this policy as it is idiotic

Just the lock. If you book locksmith now for 9.00 tomorrow will cost less as compared to booking for 8.00, the price difference is astronomical. ( I know because been there, done that😊).

Phone or text the boss PRONTO. Just tell them the facts and offer to order a locksmith.
As other posters mention the boss MAY have the real spare.
Don't stress anymore than you already have. Worry won't make it appear like magic.

Possibilities
Could it be underneath the safe?
Is it possible to lock the key inside it?
Some safes have a large enough gap to
force the lock open
Some Forget to lock the back access.
Is there a hole on top that keys could have
fell down >stick + magnet
Could someone (eg cleaner/security)
noticed and popped them in lost
property

Good luck

Good news! And that new keys are being cut. Now, about the advisability of hanging the key to the lap top cupboard in the same room as the laptop cupboard.........

@Inrealtroublenow

Keys have been found! In my DS shoe of all places. I've now told my boss that we are getting copies made. Thank you everyone

Bet the little imp put it there!

I suspect that the reason that there is only one key, is that you are not the first person to lose a key.

Office cabinets locks are not that strong or secure. Usually a number on the front, locksmiths have keys for many makers.
Go through all the stuff you wore that day. Bags, purse, yes Iknopw you already did that but what about the jacket you left at work?

Glad it was found! Sorry you got into such a state! Office manager/supervisor should’ve sorted a spare one or two !? This was bound to happen !
I worked in a shop where the office door was heavy ,and swung shut and locked by itself, then you’d be locked out.
Every Sunday I was the only key holder and eventually, that sore swung shut on me.
So I had to call my furious boss in to unlock it. But now I just think why TF was there not a spare stashed somewhere?

*PS my DH is ALWAYs going home with his works stationary cupboard key? Like, once a month at least!? They don’t appear to have a spare ,either!

Just a thought, as it happened to me once, lost a v. imp.key. Friend found it by chance, when checking hemline of thick coat that I'd been wearing. Key had slipped through v. small hole in pocket. Such a relief to find it though ... & I hope you find yours ! Just check everything once more, in every nook & cranny. Good Luck !

Just seen: it's been found! Now we can all breathe again !

Don’t worry about it at all, its an accident that you lost it and it’s not your responsibility to fix, I mean you can make the arrangements if your boss wants you to but you don’t have to pay for it.
Just tell them what’s happened and then they can get it sorted, and don’t give it another thought.
And while your not thinking about it it will probably turn up

@FlowerFlour

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.

100% agree with this.

We only have one key for the work car park padlock. It is attached to an ENORMOUS chunk of wood. Like the size of a baby's head.

I suspect this was instigated after a similar incident.

Horrible memories of when OH had keys to the school because he needed to go up at the weekend sometimes, if they were lost it would cost us about £500 and this was over 30 years ago. They were missing for weeks, he managed to arrange things so he didn't need to go in at the weekend but, come the end of term, we were looking forward to a bleak, broke Christmas. Packing up to come back to UK for Christmas I went into MIL's room, she'd been staying, to get her bags and she asked me to look around and for some reason I pulled the dressing table out and there, on the floor, were the keys! She knew we'd been frantic but said she had brought them upstairs 'for safety' and forgotten about them!

In a previous job the key to the stationery cupboard came with a HUGE fluffy pom pom attached to it; making it more difficult to lose!

What is the point of a locked cabinet that you keep the key next to?

I love a happy ending. Thanks OP.

How stupid to only have 1 key!

Just caught up with this - that's great news OP!

I once started working somewhere where the key to the key box was really really important so they kept the copy of that key inside the key box in case it was lost. I had to explain several times why that might not be the best idea...

Um just so you know to look in the most unlikely place… I recently found my phone in a Welly in the hall where it had fallen out of my pocket.
Try the toilet -even look in the toilet bowl as I have found metal objects lurking in the bottom& not flushed away.