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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Made a big mistake at work and now I'm scared!

39 replies

squashedalmondcroissant · 09/02/2022 10:14

It was my first time closing up at work on my own recently, I've done it only twice before with a manager on hand to ask questions. Last time was over a week ago.

I made a stupid error (which was totally my fault, I admit), which resulted in an item outside being stolen from the store.

Aibu to be bricking it?! I'm devastated I could have done something so silly and I'm now terrified they will fire me over this 😭 I really wanted this job. Aib ridiculous and overthinking it or do you think it is likely I will lose my job over this?

OP posts:
Timmytoo · 09/02/2022 10:18

Could you offer to pay the cost of the stolen item. Perhaps you could use this as an opportunity to initiate a checklist which will show proactivity on your side?

Mountainpika · 09/02/2022 10:20

Go in and apologise. Be honest that you made a mistake. They should resepct you for being open about it. Good ;luck.

Myturnatlast · 09/02/2022 10:20

As someone who has made many stupid mistakes over the years I find the best way is to own it, confess, offer to put it right and tell them your plan for making sure it never happens again...

Good luck!

SailingNotSurfing · 09/02/2022 10:21

I agree, devise a checklist to ensure it doesn’t happen again, apologise profusely, let them know it was a one-off error and that you have learned from your mistake.

I doubt it’s a sackable offence.

Ameanstreakamilewide · 09/02/2022 10:21

It was an honest mistake and it's not like you stole it - that would put a different slant on it, I think.

You have to just be honest with them and graciously accept a bollocking.
You'll definitely learn the lesson the hard way - which everyone has done at work, at one time or another.

Getting things wrong is how you learn, after all.

steff13 · 09/02/2022 10:22

Was it a very valuable item? I can't say what they'll do of course, but I've known people who've done similar things and not been fired. I'm in the US though.

Alicetheowl · 09/02/2022 10:25

I can't imagine it was very valuable if it was left outside. One of those chalkboard signs perhaps? If so, look in the surrounding area, the person might have taken it for a joke and got bored carrying it.

Original poster
squashedalmondcroissant · 09/02/2022 10:26

It's not a very valuable item but I wouldn't be able to cover the cost unfortunately. I'm already in my overdraft due to having to wait 6weeks for my first paycheck so I just can't afford it.

I am going to make a checklist for future reference - I'm just so annoyed with myself because I remembered everything else and it's one of the more important things I forgot about 😞 I'm just so scared because I really don't want, and can't afford, to lose this job.

OP posts:
Maray1967 · 09/02/2022 10:29

Delivery driver who handed a £1200 boiler to a fraudster paid for by my credit card didn’t get fired because he hadn’t had the training yet. The firm said they would have fired someone who had been explicitly told never to hand over a boiler to a bloke in a van claiming to be the purchaser’s husband not wanting to disturb his wife sleeping by taking it in the house as she works nights …
I’m happy that he didn’t get sacked - that would have weighed heavily with me. The person did say he would get a warning though.
Hope you’ll be ok.

RevolvingPivot · 09/02/2022 10:31

What was the item? If it's that valuable can you pay in instalments.

If it's so expensive / critical to the job why do they leave it outside?

Kittykat93 · 09/02/2022 11:06

I wouldn't offer to pay. If they choose to give you a caution or a warning etc then that's fine but don't offer to pay. Just apologise and be honest. It will be fine

Pembertonrd · 09/02/2022 11:25

@Maray1967

Delivery driver who handed a £1200 boiler to a fraudster paid for by my credit card didn’t get fired because he hadn’t had the training yet. The firm said they would have fired someone who had been explicitly told never to hand over a boiler to a bloke in a van claiming to be the purchaser’s husband not wanting to disturb his wife sleeping by taking it in the house as she works nights … I’m happy that he didn’t get sacked - that would have weighed heavily with me. The person did say he would get a warning though. Hope you’ll be ok.
He was jolly naive though.
EmpressSuiko · 09/02/2022 11:56

If it’s not valuable can you offer to have it deducted from your pay?

Cabriolelegs99 · 09/02/2022 12:04

Fhs go and confess and apologise immediately and say that you cannot cover the cost. You are new to the job and it's an honest mistake! It will be far, far, worse for you if it's discovered and people find out that you knew about it but didn't say anything!

Sausagedogsarethebest · 09/02/2022 12:18

I agree with pp. Confess, own it, apologise and show proactivity by suggesting measures to ensure it doesn't happen again. If you're doing well in the role otherwise then all should be ok.

Toanewstart23 · 09/02/2022 12:19

Do they know yet?

ClaireEclair · 09/02/2022 12:24

When I worked in retail I made SO many mistakes as I was young and believed the best in people. My boss once made me watch security camera footage of one of my mess ups while killing herself laughing. There will be insurance and if it’s an item that is outside they will know there is a risk of theft. You’ll be fine.

britnay · 09/02/2022 12:48

I worked in retail and from a safety point of view should you really be closing up by yourself?

TheAugusta · 09/02/2022 12:49

You should not offer to pay! Things like this are dreadful but are part of the cost of doing business! If it were very valuable it shouldn’t be outside or should be insured.

Pyri · 09/02/2022 13:02

@TheAugusta

You should not offer to pay! Things like this are dreadful but are part of the cost of doing business! If it were very valuable it shouldn’t be outside or should be insured.
I just came on here to say this. If OP is closing up then it suggests retail, she definitely doesn’t earn enough to be paying back money for something the business should have insurance for

OP own up but I don’t think you should offer to pay

Stompythedinosaur · 09/02/2022 13:06

Genuine mistakes happen, people aren't machines.

Apologise, accept a bit of a telling off maybe, show how you will make sure it doesn't happen again.

It will be OK. This doesn't sound like gross misconduct to me, so the worse case scenarios is a warning.

MatildaTheCat · 09/02/2022 13:07

If it was over a week ago how come it hasn’t been missed or mentioned to you? Just own up and say you think you might be responsible (unless they know it was stolen that night in which case they would surely have told you? Apologise and yes, a check list sounds a good idea.

marqueses · 09/02/2022 13:13

How do posters know it will be OK when they know absolutely nothing about what's happened? How do you know it's covered by insurance Confused

Maybe it will, maybe it won't but no one can possibly say. The OP has no employment rights, the employer may be an unscrupulous one who doesn't give second chances.

All you can do is apologise and hope for the best.

Pyri · 09/02/2022 13:19

@marqueses

How do posters know it will be OK when they know absolutely nothing about what's happened? How do you know it's covered by insurance Confused

Maybe it will, maybe it won't but no one can possibly say. The OP has no employment rights, the employer may be an unscrupulous one who doesn't give second chances.

All you can do is apologise and hope for the best.

It would be a pretty crap business that didn’t have appropriate insurance in place or a policy for writing off certain items of stock (ie theft, loss, damage etc)
Lincslady53 · 09/02/2022 13:24

I left the front door if a Sainsburys supermarket unlocked all night once. Didn't even get a slap on the wrist. The bread delivery men set the alarms off when they waltzed in with the bread before any staff turned up the next morning. Everyone makes mistakes, own up, apologise and move on.

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