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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:
42wordsfordrizzle · 17/07/2023 22:24

I lost a phone the way you did - just couldn't find it at home- reported it lost, it was wiped remotely I got a new phone. I told IT, and my boss, but just so that she knew that I wouldn't have a phone for a couple of days.

Really no big deal. Unless you're 15 and working for your Dad, your employers don't get to give out to you for losing a phone - a weary sigh from someone in IT is really enough - and they certainly can't fire you for losing a phone, unless you're a spy, or a drug dealer.

Poit · 17/07/2023 22:27

Terrifiedterrance · 17/07/2023 21:48

I’ve asked, especially as my car keys got snatched and thrown across the road yesterday, so it would be on brand for them. They’ve said they’ve not seen it and they don’t know… but then they also said lalala I need a phone now, buy me a phone mummy

Show quote history

hmmmmm my spidey senses are tingling towards the kids. Could you suggest a reward for the child who finds your phone first? It’s amazing where kids hide things. I once hid all my brothers football stickers in the bedding of my doll’s cot…

Cucucucu · 17/07/2023 22:32

Yes I broke 2 iPads , a table and 1 laptop over last 10 years . It happens . What sort of work do you do ? If it’s ok to ask

TomorrowToday · 17/07/2023 22:34

42wordsfordrizzle · 17/07/2023 22:24

I lost a phone the way you did - just couldn't find it at home- reported it lost, it was wiped remotely I got a new phone. I told IT, and my boss, but just so that she knew that I wouldn't have a phone for a couple of days.

Really no big deal. Unless you're 15 and working for your Dad, your employers don't get to give out to you for losing a phone - a weary sigh from someone in IT is really enough - and they certainly can't fire you for losing a phone, unless you're a spy, or a drug dealer.

No they actually put you on disciplinaries....

Jonnycakes · 17/07/2023 22:34

Do you take your device out with you? Were you inside the house when you remember last having it? Sit down, have a cuppa and don’t think about it for 10 mins. I’d do a proper search of the kids rooms, toy boxes, under beds, under pillows etc. if you are suspicious of your dog, have you been through his bedding? Any hiding places he uses? Under the sofa etc? Failing that, and I know it sounds crazy but it never hurts to say a prayer to St Anthony 🤦‍♀️. I have an encrypted device and assuming your key is kept separate to the device, it’ll be useless to someone who found it. Go through the proper channels tomorrow, you’re probably making it into a much bigger thing in your head. Good luck

TomorrowToday · 17/07/2023 22:35

Sallyh87 · 17/07/2023 22:14

I work for HR at a local council. I took my laptop out and just left it on a train. Husband had his stolen by someone opening his backpack on the underground. Neither of us lost our job.

Report it to IT immediately and they will raise a data protection concern.

I have worked across many public and private organisations. People lose phones all the time.

Did you get sanctioned?

Washbasketcase · 17/07/2023 22:36

I'm sure you'll be fine re. work, but in terms of where it might be, I lost my personal mobile a week ago, I knew it was in the house (as I had not left the house since last using it). Searched systematically for a couple of hours the evening I noticed I'd lost it, then set my alarm for 5 am the next day and searched again for an hour or so.

Then I found it. It was standing on its side on the grills within the radiator, leaning up against the panel of the radiator. So you couldn't see it on a cursory look at the radiator, you had to be standing directly above it. So check all radiators!

Whataretheodds · 17/07/2023 22:36

In my organisation it would be taken pretty seriously but you wouldn't be fired for that alone.

As PP said, key thing is to report promptly.

Agree with incentivising the kids to find it.

SplitLevel · 17/07/2023 22:39

I would absolutely think it’s not a sackable offence and it happens all the time. Unless you got drunk in work and dropped it as arrested for public urination, for example, it’ll be ok. You’ve tried to report it overnight and you’ll be ok.

TomorrowToday · 17/07/2023 22:41

If you haven't told them that would be the issue

ZoeyBartlett · 17/07/2023 22:43

We've had quite a few devices go missing in last few weeks as everyone travels. Just report as soon as you can. No action taken! If you lost one a month it might be different!

mum11970 · 17/07/2023 22:49

Make sure you check the lining under your settee. Phones can easily slip right down and into the base of a settee. If you’ve got young children I’d put money on them having picked it up. Have you checked toy boxes or kids bags?

LKM23 · 17/07/2023 22:52

I've worked in HR for 20 years. You absolutely won't lose your job for this, if we fired everyone who lost/damaged phones or laptops we'd be bloody recruiting constantly. Don't worry just report it tomorrow, deep breaths 💐

SingingNettles · 17/07/2023 22:57

Have you tried ‘Find my iPhone’ or ‘Find My Device’ (for android)?

ThisIsTrifficult · 17/07/2023 23:12

I can access v sensitive stuff on my laptop and employer has placed appropriate security on it for these exact scenarios.
My old manager was terrible for leaving notebooks, files and usb's on trains- somehow he still has a job.
People have stuff lost and stolen all the time. If they sacked everyone that did, the turnover would be huge!

MysteriesOfTheOrganism · 17/07/2023 23:16

Find My Device on Google will tell you the last place it was located (even if it has now run out off juice). It works pretty well: helped me find mine (dropped on the ground and under the car) and my partner's (dropped in the park).

FFSwhatisthis · 17/07/2023 23:22

@Terrifiedterrance

i read something recently about changing your approach to searching. Go into one room. Search that room methodically from one side of the door around the room, leaving nothing unturned. Then the middle & soft furnishings. Room by room. Apparently we often get distracted and think we've looked in that room when we've only looked in part of it & rush off to check another place.

look first, carefully, where it should be (in your case out the other device away where it should be, then check that the other one isn't also there!

each room, door to door.

everything properly. Lift and shake magazines, books etc. it's amazing where/how things get hidden.

hold the children upside down until the confess. Joking!! or maybe not

I have brain fog, but I do something 'sensible' with things, only I don't remember until I find the missing item then I'm like 'oh of course that's where I put it!!'

🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️

LovingLivingLife · 17/07/2023 23:26

I lost a work mobile. I let my manager know. IT blocked and locked it (in case stolen). They gave me a new phone with the number transferred. No dramas at all, no telling off.

Please don't panic OP these things happen and in itself is no reason to be fired!

Dixiechickonhols · 17/07/2023 23:26

Could an opportunistic thief have come in? Someone on our estate had an item taken this week this way (hadn’t locked their door)

Original poster
Terrifiedterrance · 17/07/2023 23:38

Dixiechickonhols · 17/07/2023 23:26

Could an opportunistic thief have come in? Someone on our estate had an item taken this week this way (hadn’t locked their door)

Thing is the device in and as of itself is a cheapy device, a refurbed one with low memory (apple) max second hand £150 max, hardly worth anyone’s time. If I dropped it then maybe, but couldn’t get into the phone unless they are a hacker extraordinaire lol.

find my device isn’t working due to no battery and the device being old and it not supporting the latest iOS to have it when the battery is dead

OP posts:
Dixiechickonhols · 17/07/2023 23:49

The house on our estate had just had a couple of very random things taken, pure opportunism so I wouldn’t discount it if your door could have been left unlocked. They grab anything.

BrummiMummi · 17/07/2023 23:50

Has you OH picked it up? We have been known to do that with my work phone and not realise for a little while until we actually go to use it

Whatthetrolley · 17/07/2023 23:50

Report it missing then it's likely to appear somewhere really random that you will have told yourself you'd check there a 100 times!

madeleine85 · 17/07/2023 23:51

It is completely ok. There will be encryption and it therefore cannot be remotely accessed without being wiped. Cover your back and contact IT ASAP if you have not done so already. I knew someone who had their flat broken into and work laptop stolen, with very confidential information (payroll for a top bank) on it. they were totally fine, it wasn't their fault. The first step is to report it lost/stolen and contact IT.

FlissyPaps · 17/07/2023 23:53

Have you checked:

  • Your desk and drawers at work?
  • Your car? (Under the seats. The glove box. The inside of the doors)
  • Your bags, zip pockets and side pockets?
  • Your coat/jacket/trouser pockets?
  • Your files/folders? (I once left my work phone inside a folder. I must have closed the folder and left it on my desk. Took me ages to find it)
  • Side tables/drawers in your house?

I hope it turns up OP. Keep trying any obscure place it may be.

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