Am I about to get sacked?

[Worstworker]

Yesterday I realised I’ve made a big mistake at work. Without being outing I manage money on behalf of clients and essentially I’ve spent money in the wrong place. It’s not a big amount proportional to what they spend overall, perhaps 5% of their spend over a month. But I feel awful and there’s a chance the company will need to write it off.

Ive raised it with my manager who thinks we will need to come clean for the sake of integrity, although the customer hasn’t noticed. I’m so scared I’m going to get fired!!

For background I’ve worked here for 7 years and haven’t made mistakes like this before. It’s a huge company and I know the HR process is quite robust as I’ve been involved with performance management of one of my
team before. But would this be grounds for instant dismissal? I’m quite senior and it’s a stupid mistake probably caused by mixed info from the customer and a stupidly high workload!

No I don’t think you’ll get sacked probs a bit of a telling off or retraining but not sacked. Surely You’ll not have been the first person to make this mistake.

My department overall manage millions of pounds for customers in the same way. I know mistakes get made but to some extent their severity depends on how much we think we can get away with it!

I had actually sent a breakdown of where we were spending the money to the client which included the wrong place and they didn’t raise it, which is why I think I didn’t think anything of it. This customer is notorious for being difficult though.

Usually instant dismissal would require gross misconduct, making a mistake and owning up to it would be highly unlikely to reach that bar.

If you had done it deliberately, lied, hidden it, gained from it personally then yes they could and should sack you. But not for a mistake.

I know it is scary and you will be beating yourself up about it, but please try to stay calm.

I've made mistakes before, my bosses have always been of the opinion that they don't sack for mistakes (unless gross misconduct) but they would consider covering it up, lying about it, or otherwise being dishonest about it to be a much bigger problem.

If it makes you feel better in my old company we uncovered a mistake which went back 10 years, cost the client hundreds of thousands. My boss was ultimately responsible, got promoted that year 🤷‍♀️

You've been honest - I wouldn't worry.

Ive raised it with my manager who thinks we will need to come clean for the sake of integrity, although the customer hasn’t noticed.

well, duh. Yes of course you need to “come clean”

quite revealing that you seem to think otherwise 🤔

I agree it wouldn't be gross misconduct but lying about it might be. I do think you should seek independent advice, I'm assuming you're not in a union but ACAS or an employment lawyer might be good to speak to.

Try to take a colleague you trust into any meetings as well.