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AIBU?

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Original poster

Stolen Bottle of Champagne

183 replies

NameChangeAndLifeChange · 10/08/2024 15:30

A bottle of champagne, worth about £70, has been stolen from the office.

Our manager said that if it's not replaced then the four staff members will need to pay for it between us.

I've got an idea who may have taken it but I can't be 100% sure.

I'm simply not prepared to pay for it. Why should I? Everyone else thinks we should!

Apparently I may get a written warning for not contributing (whilst that thief walks free)!!!

OP posts:
Wishihadanalgorithm · 10/08/2024 17:22

The question I would ask is, how do you know the boss hasn’t stolen it?

I would say this to them and see what happens.

You could actually have a lot of fun with this. I would also contact ACAS.

JabbaTheBeachHut · 10/08/2024 17:25

Don't tell him to stick his job.

Let him sack you and then take him to a tribunal.

Original poster
NameChangeAndLifeChange · 10/08/2024 17:27

surreygirl1987 · 10/08/2024 16:42

This is insane. OP, I'm with you. If I didn't desperately need the job, I'd be prepared to walk over this. Some things are worth drawing a line over and this is just abysmal.

I'm in a fortunate position that I don't need this job so would take HUGE pleasure in telling him where to stick his bottle of champagne!!!

He thinks he has us all over a barrel, so the look on his face would be worth it!

OP posts:
Wetherspoons · 10/08/2024 17:31

OP, please don't leave- make your boss sack you over the champagne bottle then you can get them done for unfair dismissal and be the biggest winner.

best scenario imo

loupiots · 10/08/2024 17:31

Well, he can't do that. If you have no HR team, where's the written warning going to appear from?

Get written proof of what's he asking for - on the face of it, it seems illegal?

Phone ACAS for advice and see if it would be grounds to take him to a tribunal!

EsioTrotlove · 10/08/2024 17:32

If it was a gift to you and your fellow employees, then technically you are the victim of a crime if it was stolen by someone other than the gift recipients. If it was taken by one of the gift recipients, then they are only a thief in regards to that part of the champagne that isn't their share. The theft is not from your employer, it from a group of people working in your office. Therefore it does not come under your boss's authority, and certainly does not permit him to take sanctions against anyone that affect their employment status or salary. I'd be telling him you will be calling the police yourself and consulting HR/ACAS if he wants to persist down this foolish course of action.

CountessWindyBottom · 10/08/2024 17:33

What a bully your boss is @NameChangeAndLifeChange.

I simply don't understand the justification of asking you to replenish the cost of a gift that belonged to you all in the first place? Why on earth should any of you be out of pocket.

When was the champagne gifted? Was it there a while or was it gifted on a Thursday for example and by Friday it was gone? Could someone have come back to the office after a few drinks and decided to take it then?

Given that your boss is making such a big deal of it, my assumption would be that it was him that snaffled it and is acting the bully to draw attention away from himself. There's no way I'd pay!

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 10/08/2024 17:34

The manager could have taken it and now forcing you to pay again. I wouldn't pay.

ajandjjmum · 10/08/2024 17:34

Surely it would be far more satisfying to refuse to pay, have your boss taken the action he feels appropriate and then sue him for unfair dismissal?

Original poster
NameChangeAndLifeChange · 10/08/2024 17:34

The champagne was brought in to thank the team.

I think he'd planned to leave it there for a while and then sneak it home nearer to Christmas when we'd all forgotten about it.

Perhaps he's done that anyway?

OP posts:
OneCoolPearlOP · 10/08/2024 17:35

NameChangeAndLifeChange · 10/08/2024 17:34

The champagne was brought in to thank the team.

I think he'd planned to leave it there for a while and then sneak it home nearer to Christmas when we'd all forgotten about it.

Perhaps he's done that anyway?

How was the theft discovered?
Where was the champagne kept?

MissEsmeWatson · 10/08/2024 17:36

Are you absolutely a zillion per cent sure it can't have been put somewhere "safe"? I do that at home all the time and find it months later somewhere completely illogical.

ohyesido · 10/08/2024 17:36

I think it was the manager, and this ridiculous action is a deflection

spicysamosahotcupoftea · 10/08/2024 17:38

NameChangeAndLifeChange · 10/08/2024 17:34

The champagne was brought in to thank the team.

I think he'd planned to leave it there for a while and then sneak it home nearer to Christmas when we'd all forgotten about it.

Perhaps he's done that anyway?

I just came on to say this. He took it.

Do not pay! I'm loving your stand, don't back down

Rewis · 10/08/2024 17:39

Is he actually going to buy a new bottle to share with the team? Doubt it.

SnoopySnoopDoggIsTheBest · 10/08/2024 17:39

Dear OP,

Please do not back down.
Please join a Union.
Your boss is a total ***!

x

FloofPaws · 10/08/2024 17:40

I also think it's the boss - he sounds dreadful to work for!!

Original poster
NameChangeAndLifeChange · 10/08/2024 17:40

It was left on the side in the small kitchen at work.

A few days later he then apparently asked if anyone knew where it was (I wasn't there at the time).

To be honest, I think I may actually start to enjoy the drama and how it progresses.

Unfortunately my colleagues are not in the same position as me so are more upset, hence they want to pay for it!

OP posts:
HappiestSleeping · 10/08/2024 17:40

@NameChangeAndLifeChange if you tell him to stick it and walk out, it is likely that a)he will think you stole it, and b)the real thief will incriminate you.

Personally, I would stay there and if your manager tries to give you a written warning, please make sure that they understand that the wording needs to be something along the lines of "warned for not paying to replace a bottle of champagne stolen by someone else".

I get the sentiment of punishing everyone if the culprit is not forthcoming, but there are so many different (and better) ways to handle it.

Blondiebeachbabe · 10/08/2024 17:40

Obviously he can't do that, but my question is WHAT FOR? Where would the money go? No one is out of pocket, given that the champagne was a gift.

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 10/08/2024 17:40

Get advice from ACAS and then keep all communication written thereafter.

SnoopySnoopDoggIsTheBest · 10/08/2024 17:40

Has anyone checked the fridge!

x

KimberleyClark · 10/08/2024 17:41

Is there nowhere in the office where valuables can be locked away?

RandomUsernameHere · 10/08/2024 17:44

How does your manager know it was one of the four staff members who stole it? It could have been anyone. He's being ridiculous.

CountessWindyBottom · 10/08/2024 17:44

NameChangeAndLifeChange · 10/08/2024 17:40

It was left on the side in the small kitchen at work.

A few days later he then apparently asked if anyone knew where it was (I wasn't there at the time).

To be honest, I think I may actually start to enjoy the drama and how it progresses.

Unfortunately my colleagues are not in the same position as me so are more upset, hence they want to pay for it!

He's as guilty as bloody sin! He took the bottle himself.

I agree with the poster who said leaving would perhaps implicate you in some way.

I'd ride this one out and dig my heels in. And I'd urge the others to do the same. He can't simply fire you all, and on what basis? I'd let him back himself into a corner.