Made a mistake at work and I am FREAKING out

[Schhhteeevie]

I’ve been there 6 months. I had to work out some costs (covering a project inflight over the last 5 years, so before my time) I worked them out (took a couple of months) but basically duplicated one of the costs. We haven’t actually invoiced the customer, but I’ve outlined the costs already in detail and provided the paperwork. They haven’t realised that I’ve almost overcharged them (circa 40k) so I will have to come clean and tell them it’s a mistake. That’s embarrassing.

Worse still, I’ve already let the senior team know that we will be invoicing 160k but actually it’s going to be more like 120k. So, the client AND my colleagues are going to think i’m a complete idiot.

My mistake seems so glaringly obvious to me now. I’m just really spiralling into horrible thoughts.

1. Im going to be fired
2. Im actually quite stupid

3 Best case scenario I don’t get fired but lose the respect of my colleagues

Im really, really anxious about this, how bad is it?

@Rantyrantason

Mistakes happen. You caught it so just need to hold your hands up (as you’ve already done!) and maybe think how you might mitigate it in future - any double checks you could put into place? It’ll be ok I’d think

@Rantyrantason - agreed - I used to have to type up and check completion statements in one job (legal) and I made myself really good at doing them (in a previous job the boss checked them) as I've never been good with figures or at maths. It really tightened up that area of my work and gave me confidence there.

@Fruitbatdancer

Stay calm. Blame a spreadsheet formula error. Style it out. You’ll be grand.

Do not do this. It will raise questions around the rest of the figures. A simple apology about duplicating a line is a much better course of action.

Mistakes like this happen everyday, everywhere, its easily rectified, money returned and invoices amended, and in a weeks time nobody will remember.

II wouldn’t blame it on a spreadsheet error either.

In my line of work we don’t get disciplined for making an error - we may get additional training or the error of our ways pointed out or similar.

We will get sacked for lying/attempting to cover something up/blaming something or someone else.

@JuergenSchwarzwald

Yes I've recently left working as a doctor to go into a corporate role and this is how I judge mistakes too

Sadly not the case in the legal world. You may not get sacked at the time, but they'll find a way to sack you later.

But I agree with the approach pps have suggested here - reviewing the invoice to double check all was correct but now realise double counting so actual amount to the client less blah.

Whilst I get what you're saying, in my corporate job if I screw up the worst case scenario is I get sacked, and I guess a small chance I've broken the law if involves regulations or legislation. Pretty shit.

As a doctor, if I screwed up, I get sacked, sued, can face manslaughter charges and months long coroners court cases examining my every possible mistake- as well as living with knowing/wondering if I made a mistake and killed someone. MUCH shitter.

I’m sorry it’s taken so long to respond. I was in a long anxiety spiral.

To everyone that responded - thank you so much.

I can’t believe how spot on everyone was. I took previous posters advice, I’m usually “sorry sorry sorry”. I worked out the costs first thing. Messaged my boss calmly and clearly. His response was “don’t worry, get me the numbers and let’s fix it, it’s not the mistake it’s how we handle it”. Really impressed with how he handled it, that’s great management.

I’ve told the client, they’re happy that the cost has been reduced, I’m still concerned that they’ve lost trust in me but what’s done is done.

Thanks again everyone. Your advice, especially in how to approach “owning up” was absolutely invaluable.

Thank you

Well done Op , sometimes the thought of doing something is way worse than the actual doing it. I really hope you feel better now and honestly, this will all fade in time x

Well done! I’m really pleased your manager handled it properly.

I’ve told the client, they’re happy that the cost has been reduced, I’m still concerned that they’ve lost trust in me but what’s done is done.

Stop worrying! You identified an issue and sorted it out. Why wouldn’t they trust you?

I think trust will have gone up.

You have shown them that you are honest and trustworthy all round.

I suspect theeve opinion of you has gone up, not down.

Now spiral yourself back up again. 🙂

Theeve? Their.

@Schhhteeevie so pleased for you ..
As PP said trust in you will have gone UP !
Be proud of yourself 😀

Chill out and enjoy a great festive season

Fab result! Well done OP - you did good!

I doubt the client will lose trust in you at all. You’ve double checked the figures and immediately rectified your mistake. Makes you more trustworthy IMO.

Everyone makes mistakes. it’s how you deal with them that matters .

Glad it's all been resolved. Don't beat yourself up over it. You did the right thing and as other posters have said confidence in you will have increased.