Awful mistake at work - totally panicking, please help

[triangles5]

I’ve made a dreadful mistake at work and am devastated. I’m in tears, feel very low and am having suicidal thoughts. I’ve been with the company for several years, adore my job, am hardworking and usually careful and diligent, but it was simply silly human error. I feel sick with fear as it’s going to cost the company a significant amount of money. I haven’t spoken or apologized to my managers yet as I was so upset and couldn’t face it. But they’re aware it has happened, we’re due to meet next week and it will obviously come up. I feel sick with fear that I’m going to be sacked. And if they don’t sack me (unlikely), they’ll never be able to rely on me again as it’ll always be in the back of their minds. I’m distraught and can’t think of anything else. I’ve let the company and worse, my kids (who rely on my income) down so badly. What can I possibly do from here?

Agree with all the peope who say don't send that email. Apart from anything else, all it says to me is 'kick me, I deserve it.' I'd worry about the MH of anyone who sent that, as well as their confidence in their ability to do the job. It's grovelling and undignified and if they are inclined to fire you for a mistake you've handed them a confession.

Don’t send the email
but also don’t worry

I understand that but don’t try to be anything you’re not. Go in as you, they know you, they like you and they trust you. If that ends up in tears and snotters then so be it 😉 You’ll find that they’ll largely take the lead anyway so you follow that. Hopefully they’ll be great and you’ll have had a miserable weekend for nothing. Please keep us posted. I’ll have everything crossed for you 💞

You’re spot on.
There comes a point that there’s almost too much advice and it can become confusing.

As I said before I’ve been a senior manager for many years. Just be you which is more than good enough and don’t overthink or over plan. You make the approach as early as you can in the morning, for your peace of mind and take it from there.
This time tomorrow you’ll know exactly where you stand and you’ll be home safely with your wee ones. ☺️

The company are at fault to allow a procedure where a junior member of staff can cost the company thousands. There should always be someone senior than you to give the go ahead and approve anything you do that involves a large sum of money.

At least by tomorrow evening it will be over. It's the waiting and anticipation that is the worst part, so the worst will soon be over.

@triangles5 good luck today. Its going to be just fine and you'll kick yourself for all this worrying x

All the best today! Call the meeting first thing.

To feel more confident, whether it's in person or online Teams/Zoom:

Have breakfast.

Stay off the caffeine and sugar and drink plenty of water.

Control your breathing from your diaphragm (belt area) not your chest - slower deeper breaths will slow your heart rate, giving your brain oxygen for thinking and your voice power for speaking.

Try the Power Pose before the meeting - lock yourself in the loo, stand feet apart, hands on hips, head up, look up, smile, while doing the slow deep breathing.

In the meeting, sit up straight and poised, making eye contact, thinking before you speak, controlling your pace (again the breathing will help.)

Explain what happened, apologise if you made a mistake, ask what needs to be done going forwards.

Make notes and ensure you do what's necessary.

You’ll feel so much better after it's done, even if the outcome is not what you hoped. You won't have uncertainty hanging over you.

You can do this. Please check in afterwards. XX

Good luck OP xx ♥️

Hope today goes ok x

Hope everything went ok today @triangles5

I hope it was all much better than you thought.

Hope it was okay, OP. At least it is over now!

I have been thinking about you today OP, I hope you are feeling calmer and that your colleagues were supportive

I was thinking about you too and hope they look after you.

How did it go today op ? Hope you ok !

How are you tonight?

Hi OP have only just seen your thread. I hope that today went ok and you are recovering from your meeting today. We all make mistakes in our job. I have made drug errors and you just learn from them.

How did it go yesterday OP?

I just came back to the thread to find…. No update in 2 days.

Really annoying isn't it?

Are you actually serious! Give your bloody heads a wobble. OP was so stressed she was feeling suicidal, and you’re “really annoyed” that you haven’t been given an update. FFS

You have a point. I apologise

how are you doing @triangles5 ?