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Original poster

I think I’m going to lose my job- please help

155 replies

Terrifiedterrance · 17/07/2023 20:47

anyone Lost any work property? Laptop, phone, tablet? What happened? I’m terrified im having a panic attack- I don’t know what happened

OP posts:
bertieb7 · 17/07/2023 21:13

It's not gross misconduct to loose a work phone. They will have insurance to cover it. The main thing is that you report it as missing as soon as you notice so first thing tomorrow if you haven't already.
I've lost a laptop (it was stolen while out for dinner) and I informed one and got given a new one the next day. No telling off as it's not your fault!

Original poster
Terrifiedterrance · 17/07/2023 21:14

calmcoco · 17/07/2023 21:10

This would be fine at my work so long as you'd followed IT policies about locking, reporting.

When was the last date you saw it?

You just have to report it missing.

Conclusively Friday midday but I don’t know what happened after that. I mistook another device my home for this work one (they all look the sodding same) go to use it today and I realised it’s not my work one, thought oh it might be around someone down a cushion or under something you know, I’ve torn my house apart looking for it and nada.

so I’ve not reported but I’ve put it into lock mode, which would help if the device was on, but I only did that this afternoon when I realised crap can’t find it

id be doing so well, and I’m terrified this will be over for me

OP posts:
Original poster
Terrifiedterrance · 17/07/2023 21:15

ANewAdventure · 17/07/2023 21:12

This happens, it’s part of issuing staff with devices.

Your employer will have a policy on what to do with a lost/stolen device. Follow this. If it has good security they’ll be able to wipe it remotely and all will be fine.

I looked it up and nothing, just disciplinary policies came up.

i think I’ll have to tell my line manager and hopefully they’ll know what to do

OP posts:
Smoky1107 · 17/07/2023 21:16

I wouldn't worry, we had a laptop stolen in a burglary and nothing happened

fuchiaknickers · 17/07/2023 21:16

try beside all the seats in the car, I have found many many things down there, especially phones.

JustMint · 17/07/2023 21:16

Report it ASAP

Do it now if you have a 24 hour reporting line and also put it in writing.

I lost my laptop with ultra sensitive data on whilst at a work Christmas party - no issues as was “killed” immediately by the IT support.

fuchiaknickers · 17/07/2023 21:17

and check right under the seats too, including under the mats. If it slipped off the back seat or down the side it could have slid around on the floor and got itsef jammed somewhere.

ncga · 17/07/2023 21:17

Terrifiedterrance · 17/07/2023 21:02

It’s very very encrypted, and actually nothing on the phone except emails that you need 2 part encryption to get into, although technically could access HR systems and intranet, but again you’d need log ins.

literally no idea what happened to it, now my mind is making up all stupid scenarios. Did I take it out the house and drop it and not notice, did I throw it in the bin etc?

@Terrifiedterrance you are not going to lose your job over this. If your company attempted to get rid of you based on this, you’d most likely have a decent chance at unfair dismissal claim (if you’ve been employed two years plus). These things happen, try to relax and just be honest about it.

Spirallingdownwards · 17/07/2023 21:17

My husband's work phone was stolen from pur house during a burglary.

What happened? They got him a new phone and set it up the same as the one that was stolen.

Gazelda · 17/07/2023 21:18

Where were you when you had it last? At home? At an office? In the car?

Where do you normally keep the one you mistook it for? Could it be there?

You know you need to report it urgently. Can you do that outside office hours? Who do you report it to? How do you report it?

When you report it, give a clear factual timeline. Bullet points. Apologise and explain that you've locked it for security.

Original poster
Terrifiedterrance · 17/07/2023 21:21

Gazelda · 17/07/2023 21:18

Where were you when you had it last? At home? At an office? In the car?

Where do you normally keep the one you mistook it for? Could it be there?

You know you need to report it urgently. Can you do that outside office hours? Who do you report it to? How do you report it?

When you report it, give a clear factual timeline. Bullet points. Apologise and explain that you've locked it for security.

I actually can’t remember, I thought at home but now I’m second guessing myself. I’ve turned my house inside out, I’ve even looked in my freezer- nothing. I feel like the only conclusions must be it’s been dropped out and about or I binned it by accident not knowing or one of my kids did

im not sure how you report a device lost

OP posts:
hellsbells99 · 17/07/2023 21:22

If you have a car, check down the sides of the seats - I am always finding mine there!

Poit · 17/07/2023 21:23

It would not even occur to me that this could lead to a job loss! I lost a laptop at an airport once. It was a new job too, so during my probation period. Nothing at all happened. Apart from the fact that it was very annoying for me. Surely just report it? Sooner the better. Then of course, according to Sod’s Law, it will show up under the sofa.

Seriously, I hope you find it and (despite me being quite a worrier and catastrophiser!) I’m really surprised this is regarded (by you) as such a big deal.

Original poster
Terrifiedterrance · 17/07/2023 21:24

hellsbells99 · 17/07/2023 21:22

If you have a car, check down the sides of the seats - I am always finding mine there!

I checked, moved seats because it’s so slim and shiny and black sometimes It camouflages but nothing

womp womp

OP posts:
Original poster
Terrifiedterrance · 17/07/2023 21:25

Poit · 17/07/2023 21:23

It would not even occur to me that this could lead to a job loss! I lost a laptop at an airport once. It was a new job too, so during my probation period. Nothing at all happened. Apart from the fact that it was very annoying for me. Surely just report it? Sooner the better. Then of course, according to Sod’s Law, it will show up under the sofa.

Seriously, I hope you find it and (despite me being quite a worrier and catastrophiser!) I’m really surprised this is regarded (by you) as such a big deal.

I thought it would be just a bit of a talking to before but when I looked up the policies for what to do all that came up was disciplinary so it’s got me so worried

OP posts:
Bellavida99 · 17/07/2023 21:26

A work colleague left laptop on a train, another had it stolen through an open window and I dropped a new work phone into a sewer I was taking a photo of. What happened? Nothing. Filled in online form and new ones arrived the next day. Stuff happens.

Bubbleses · 17/07/2023 21:26

Report it as soon as possible to your company’s IT team. As long as you are honest, there shouldn’t be an issue.
I have heard of people being fired for losing items when they have been dishonest / tried to hide the fact that the item is lost but not if you tell them at the earliest opportunity so they can do whatever they need to do from their end from a security perspective.

OwlBabiesAreCute · 17/07/2023 21:26

Phone that colleague had borrowed went missing - told manager, said not to worry as insured.

Replaced without any issues.

Mariposa26 · 17/07/2023 21:27

I am a HR Director and this has happened countless times. People lose stuff constantly. We’ve never fired anyone. Please don’t worry or panic, just report it as lost asap via whatever channels your company has in place. Contact your line manager and tech team (if you have one) and just be honest.

Boomboom22 · 17/07/2023 21:27

It is lost in your house so not a security risk. Unless you had it at work so the other person whose device you have has yours.

willWillSmithsmith · 17/07/2023 21:29

Try to get yourself in a place of calm and as you go to sleep tonight think about your device, it could well pop up in a dream where you left it. You could try asking St Anthony as well. I’m not religious but somehow or another nine times out of ten he help me find it!

HakunaMatiłda · 17/07/2023 21:29

Do you have an IT help desk? Normally they are the first call in regards to lost devices. They can remotely wipe the device, you’ll be fine.

JetBlackSteed · 17/07/2023 21:29

Do you have a service Desk? IT help desk? Report it lost to them and your line manager.

Original poster
Terrifiedterrance · 17/07/2023 21:29

Boomboom22 · 17/07/2023 21:27

It is lost in your house so not a security risk. Unless you had it at work so the other person whose device you have has yours.

theres been no swaps lol.

ive torn my house apart (literally it’s a bomb site now) and I can’t find it, so it must be outside the house right? If I can’t find it here it must be somewhere else. I just have 0 recollection

OP posts:
Original poster
Terrifiedterrance · 17/07/2023 21:30

HakunaMatiłda · 17/07/2023 21:29

Do you have an IT help desk? Normally they are the first call in regards to lost devices. They can remotely wipe the device, you’ll be fine.

I’ve tried calling the 24 hr number and they said call tomorrow so don’t think there’s anything I can do tonight x

OP posts: