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Original poster

F*cked up massively - work related. Perspective needed

628 replies

Stupidworkgirl · 01/05/2023 22:16

I have an important business trip abroad tomorrow which myself and several other colleagues are going on. It is a major event in our industry and we have been planning it for a while. I have done the majority of the planning and have enjoyed it and was excited to attend. Our company director is going along with my boss and several coworkers, one of which reports to me.

I have lost my passport. I only realised this at 4pm today when packing. I am meant to fly out on an early morning flight. We have a very tidy minimalist home and have searched everywhere, it is definitely not here. I last travelled a few months ago and can only think I dropped it somewhere between security and my car.

I have called my boss who has told the MD. My boss was understanding and kind about it, I don’t know what the MDs reaction was. I’m absolutely gutted. Missing out on the event is a horrible feeling but is actually the least of it, that will wear off once it is over at the end of this week. It is more the damage to my reputation and how people might think of me going forward. I’m honestly considering leaving and finding a new job, as I don’t know how I will mentally bounce back from it.

Looking for reassurance or perhaps any similar tales or fucking up at work.

OP posts:
WeeblesWobbled · 03/05/2023 00:14

IGiveUpalready · 02/05/2023 14:37

It could be worse, you could be inline with your boss and found this -

OMG!!! Noooo!!!!! hahahahaha!!!!

WeeblesWobbled · 03/05/2023 00:21

Bamboozleme · 02/05/2023 16:12

Hopefully your colleagues in the office haven’t clocked that you’ve spent most of the day on your phone or work’s internet on mumsnet and reported to your boss!

I would have well and truly got my head down today and worked like a dog.

but that’s me!

But you might not be as talented as OP. She might have been able to do both.

Ameanstreakamilewide · 03/05/2023 11:19

JackiePlace · 02/05/2023 00:30

If you are as meticulous as you say OP, then why didn't you notice the passport was missing when it came time to put it away after your last trip?

Because she's a normal human being, and 'things' slip people's minds, from time to time.

Ameanstreakamilewide · 03/05/2023 11:30

Coffeetree · 02/05/2023 07:20

It's also possible it was stolen, isn't it?

That's how I would pitch it, tbh: "My passport was stolen or lost and my husband and I didn't realise until I was packing. We've made a police report and applied for an emergency replacement."

That's your message and stick to it.

Telling daft lies are always a bad idea, especially at work.
They have an uncanny knack of biting you on the arse when you least expect it.

Coffeetree · 03/05/2023 11:52

Saying it was lost or stolen is a lie?

She doesn't know where it is. She's either misplaced it or it's been stolen.

Coffeetree · 03/05/2023 11:59

Agree that on the facts it likely fell out of your bag as you were rushing home last time and either it just got swept away with rubbish or someone found it and didn't turn it in.

Or it's sitting right there on top of your nightstand (sorry)!

SheilaFentiman · 03/05/2023 12:03

OP fessed up yesterday and all is ok at work.

Clogdle · 03/05/2023 17:57

Stupidworkgirl · 01/05/2023 22:16

I have an important business trip abroad tomorrow which myself and several other colleagues are going on. It is a major event in our industry and we have been planning it for a while. I have done the majority of the planning and have enjoyed it and was excited to attend. Our company director is going along with my boss and several coworkers, one of which reports to me.

I have lost my passport. I only realised this at 4pm today when packing. I am meant to fly out on an early morning flight. We have a very tidy minimalist home and have searched everywhere, it is definitely not here. I last travelled a few months ago and can only think I dropped it somewhere between security and my car.

I have called my boss who has told the MD. My boss was understanding and kind about it, I don’t know what the MDs reaction was. I’m absolutely gutted. Missing out on the event is a horrible feeling but is actually the least of it, that will wear off once it is over at the end of this week. It is more the damage to my reputation and how people might think of me going forward. I’m honestly considering leaving and finding a new job, as I don’t know how I will mentally bounce back from it.

Looking for reassurance or perhaps any similar tales or fucking up at work.

I don’t think you are stupid at all. These things happen.
If you had checked a week ago you would have still struggled to get the passport in time.
So it has happened. You have been honest and it is out of your control.
Whilst I am sure your colleagues will be disappointed you can’t make it I would bet my life that each one has had something similar happen in their career at some point.
You are feeling upset about the situation but by next week it will be old news and just make sure that this week you put your time into meeting some other objectives so that you can make it a good week after all x

HedgehogB · 03/05/2023 18:01

I work for a very large FTSE company. Also quite male dominated. This happens all the time. Often the ‘less than 6 months left’ scenario. Stop worrying - everyone always goes ‘oh no, poor so an so’, is mentally grateful it didn’t happen to them, checks where their own passport is, teases the victim for a bit ..,,,and then it’s forgotten. Your colleagues know how conscientious you are. Stop focusing on the mishap and tell your new team member to shine on your behalf. It’s ok. It’s not misconduct. It’s human. It will pass. X

Innachu · 03/05/2023 18:01

do you have any photos or scans of it?
could you get an emergency travel document at the airport, I have done it once many years ago

SpiralHecate · 03/05/2023 18:01

Can you organise an emergency temporary passport?

SheilaFentiman · 03/05/2023 18:02

SpiralHecate · 03/05/2023 18:01

Can you organise an emergency temporary passport?

The trip has now happened.

queensonia · 03/05/2023 18:03

Whenever shit like this happens to me, I just tell myself that for whatever reason, the universe doesn't want me to go on this trip. Console yourself with the thought that if you had gone on that trip, you might have got hit by a bus in whatever city you ended up in.

Suziequoo · 03/05/2023 18:04

I didn’t know that had even lost my passport my passport was found by the police during a raid somewhere so obviously stolen (no lost knowing me) but the passport office didn’t even let me know that it had been found so fair chance it will be there so if you get to go away again check with them and report it lost

Bamboozleme · 03/05/2023 18:07

Coffeetree · 03/05/2023 11:52

Saying it was lost or stolen is a lie?

She doesn't know where it is. She's either misplaced it or it's been stolen.

And she’s made a police report?

Helena39 · 03/05/2023 18:07

4 years ago I thought I lost all my documents: passport, ID, birth certificate. Went to the trouble of getting new documents (I am from a different country which made things even more complicated). 2 months later my partner found all the documents behind a drawer. We looked EVERYWHERE in the house at least 10 times. How the hell have all my documents ended up there, I have no idea.
So, it happens. Sorry it happened to you, I imagine the headache you must have 🤕

Smartpic · 03/05/2023 18:07

I once gave my boss a lift, and when he was stood outside putting his briefcase in the backseat, I rolled the car forwards - over his foot. Had to take him to A&E and the rest of the office laughed at me for days.

I still got promoted and good appraisals afterwards, people understand things happen.

Justkeepingplatesspinning · 03/05/2023 18:08

Did your passport turn up? We lost a driving licence once and the original turned up while we were waiting for the replacement!
It's an awful feeling and I'm glad work were ok with you about it. Stuff happens! I hope you've had a good couple of days at work.

Bamboozleme · 03/05/2023 18:12

Bamboozleme · 03/05/2023 18:07

And she’s made a police report?

Show quote history

Ah yes she has
in that case your suggestion wasn’t a lie at all!

Nelly91 · 03/05/2023 18:13

Could you phone the airport you last flew back to check lost property?

LoisLane66 · 03/05/2023 18:13

I wish people would stop writing 'myself'. You use the word 'l'.

LoisLane66 · 03/05/2023 18:16

You'd give up a job because you misplaced or lost your passport? Unbelievable and ridiculous.

Noononoo · 03/05/2023 18:17

I arrived at New York on work trip with five further flights booked and was arrested put in a holding cell with big man with gun. I had only 3 months on my passport and requirements were for six. They had to appeal to a court to decide whether I was able to be let in...after a few hours it was decided it was OK. I was told I was very lucky Maam. I didn't feel it and my male work colleague had disappeared and not come to find out why I was held. I have nightmares about passports and feel so for you. big big hug. shit happens

Toomuchtrouble4me · 03/05/2023 18:18

Have you used it for any ID? We found my DH’s behind the PC about 2 days after receiving the replacement.

daisychain01 · 03/05/2023 18:23

Stupidworkgirl · 01/05/2023 23:32

Haha I love the number of responses referring to St Anthony! I’d never heard of him before!

St Anthony rocks!

He's got me out of many a scrape

Lost documents
Misplaced Passport
Family gifted Parker Pen which I lost in my classroom at the age of 11, and St Anthony told me to look under the desk where the metal runners are and sure enough it had been lodged in there all the time.
Running watch - found in fridge salad drawer doh!

He's worth a try 😊

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