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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Work problems

45 replies

jammydodgers12 · 25/05/2022 17:25

Hello

I've come for some advice.

It might be a little outing but I've done nothing wrong.

I work in a secured building which means we all have plastic fobs to beep at the doors upon entering.

I've been using mine as usual today, went downstairs for my 15 minute break this afternoon and when I went to use my fob, I realised the back was missing.

I called a manager to come downstairs and let me through and showed them that half was missing.

Back in the office, I pulled my bag apart thinking it could have been in there but it wasn't.

When people have lost fobs before, they pay £5 for a new one and the allocated fob number is then removed from the system so nobody else can use it if they find it for security reasons.

I was then called in to the meeting room by my new manager who had found the other bit to my fob on the floor downstairs, she then said that these don't just fall apart and something in it had been ripped or the glue or something along those lines, I was in shock at this point because I knew exactly what I was being accused of. She said she was going to open an investigation and a disciplinary would be used if I've purposely destroyed my fob?

At this point, I asked for my other manager to come into the room and I was in shock at the words disciplinary etc being used over something so little, I would never break anything on purpose.

Old manager backed up new manager and I've ended up leaving work in shock and in tears.

I believe there is CCTV where I was so I am hoping that it works and they'll see that I never broke my fob apart on purpose.

If CCTV doesn't work, how am I supposed to prove that I didn't do this?

I'm completely in shock, I walked out in tears after hearing disciplinary and I can't actually believe they've opened an investigation about this.

If anyone has any advice please help?

OP posts:
VariationsonaTheme · 25/05/2022 17:30

Your manager must have a lot of time on their hands!! How ridiculous. I wouldn’t even give it another thought. You don’t know how it happened, they don’t know how it happened and what would be the point of you wrecking the fob? It’s not like there’s anything to gain from it being broken.

Original poster
jammydodgers12 · 25/05/2022 17:32

@VariationsonaTheme this is exactly what I mean. I've had the same fob since I started working here years ago, I've never been a destructive person. I have no reason to destroy my fob that I need to use? I'm so confused by it all.

OP posts:
Ihatethenewlook · 25/05/2022 17:33

That’s a bit batshit. Have you asked them what possible motivation you could have had to destroy your own fob, which will at the very least cost you money for a replacement?

BlanketsBanned · 25/05/2022 17:35

How awful, the new manager has accused you without any evidence at all. Do you have an hr department, union, how long have you worked there.

EBearhug · 25/05/2022 17:39

Are you in a union?

Fere · 25/05/2022 17:41

Haven't they heard of "wear and tear" of things used all the time?
How petty of them!

Lou98 · 25/05/2022 17:43

It does all sound a bit ridiculous on your new managers part. You haven't done anything wrong though and I can't see how she would ever be able to prove you deliberately wrecked it so I wouldn't worry about it, let her carry out her investigation - it won't go in her favour, especially as you've said there's CCTV where you lost it

BrimFullOfAsher · 25/05/2022 17:49

You don't have to prove that you didn't, they have to prove that you did. Good luck to then proving that.

How long have you had this particular fob? I'd maybe ask them if every member of staff is subject to investigation when they need a new fob.

gettingolderandgrumpy · 25/05/2022 18:04

I don’t understand why would you purposely destroy your fob ? These things happen I’m sure unless your replacing your fob all the time I don’t see the issue . I doubt they are expensive to replace either they buy them in bulk , the £5 charge will be just so people take care of them .
Do you have HR you can go to ?
it just seems a pointless waste of time for something so tedious.

AngelinaFangelina · 25/05/2022 18:04

They don't have a chance in hell of making any of those accusations stick, so stop worrying about it. It was frankly a bit thick of them to approach it so heavy handed, how on earth would they ever prove what they've said? Nothing is unbreakable, particularly not those bloody fobs, it's plastic and glue. Once they look at CCTV I'd be expecting an apology.

FannyFifer · 25/05/2022 18:07

What an earth!
Don't get upset, be absolutely fucking furious that they are accusing you of something so completely ridiculous.
Things break, that's life, to suggest anything other than it just broke is utter nonsense.

Swimmingpoolsally · 25/05/2022 18:07

This is all very dramatic for a broken fob.

Northernlass13 · 25/05/2022 18:23

What a load of rubbish! Op you’re going to be ok and please don’t worry!
so first things first...
-are you in a union? If not, please think about joining. They are normally really helpful and will guide you through any process inline with your company polices.
-please ask for a copy of the staff handbook or contract. You’re well within your rights to ask for this and I’d be looking to see what the company policy is. If it’s just a £5 then why are they going down the disciplinary route??
-what evidence do they have to say you damaged it?.... they may have CCTV but they need to prove that you damaged it! Otherwise they can’t accuse you of something you never did. If it’s just an accident, these things happen and they have no grounds for take this any further.
-if this gets too much please contact ACAS for further help.
just remember if they did try and accuse you of this, you could accuse them of bullying or discrimination.
it does sound like the new manager is just trying to throw his weight around but that’s not fair to you
good luck
xx

Northernlass13 · 25/05/2022 18:24

Also your well within your rights to have a witness or personal representative at any meeting too! Sometimes a second pair of ears helps xxx

FirewomanSam · 25/05/2022 18:26

Why on earth would you have broken your fob apart and thrown half of it on the floor, locking yourself out in the process? What are you even being accused of? That’s completely bizarre and over the top.

girlmom21 · 25/05/2022 18:31

You don't need to prove you didn't break it. Let them prove you did.

LittleOwl153 · 25/05/2022 18:32

Remember that for any such meeting you are entitled to representation, to be clearly told of the allegations against you and to be provided with any proof they intend to rely on ahead of the disciplinary meeting. Don't go into this alone. Find a union rep or a contentious friend who can at the very least take notes.of.all that is said.

greybear · 25/05/2022 18:36

Poor you! I completely relate to the hurt & confusion you feel at this ridiculous & unjust accusation. I've experienced horrendous, unintelligent, petty managers like this before & it's awful.

It makes no sense at all to pull apart your own fob! I guess they must be on some kind of power trip or something. Awful for you & demeaning. You're being treated like a naughty, destructive child. I loathe this kind of thing.

Is there anyone more senior and decent at work that you could speak to about this?

uncivil2 · 25/05/2022 18:40

I mean, I know it’s stressful but you’ll have to let the process happen. It’s reasonable for people that purposely destroy work equipment to be penalised. Unfortunately you haven’t done this, but they still need to investigate etc although it is heavy handed. Ultimately your new manager is just doing their job and there’s probably some edge case guidance that justifies her actions here

uncivil2 · 25/05/2022 18:43

Your new manager is likely trying to make a name for herself, trying to set expectations with you, and trying to make an example out if you so she looks good in front of her own manager

uncivil2 · 25/05/2022 18:46

I had someone make a vexatious complaint against me once - the initial accusation was stressful but I spoke to my manager and the union who guided me through the investigation (which was basically 1 meeting). Literally nothing came out of it and the other party was made to look like an unreasonable liar and lost their credibility. I have continued to succeed at work so hasn’t impacted me at all. Sometimes it is what it is and you just have to remain confident through the investigation stage.

mackthepony · 25/05/2022 18:48

Do you have a follow up meeting? If not, request one, take support and record the meeting.

MangoTango28 · 25/05/2022 19:07

This is absolute MADNESS!!!!!!!
do they have something else against you?

please go to the investigation it will be laughable what they have to say , then perhaps look at grievance for sheer madness!

Original poster
jammydodgers12 · 25/05/2022 19:12

Thank you everyone.

The only thing they have against me is time off for depression and anxiety which were covered with doctors certificate.

HR doesn't exist in our company because my manager is HR.

It's made my anxiety so bad that I don't even want to go to work tomorrow but I know I have to as I will look guilty and I have done nothing wrong.

My colleagues are angry on my behalf and have backed me 100% so I'm hoping that no disciplinary comes of this. I'm just in shock.

Is it worth me joining the union?

OP posts:
Original poster
jammydodgers12 · 25/05/2022 19:13

My other colleague said to me that what they are accusing me of is technically "criminal damage" so she said to me to ask them to get the police involved and watch them back off.

OP posts: