Page 4 | Made a mistake at work, meeting has been put in with my manager

Anxioussss · 2024-08-15T17:00:11+00:00

An error in a document was found during an external review where two number values were written the wrong way around. I have responsibility for doing the internal review before it goes out externally and I missed this error. I was comparing it to the source document and somehow missed that the writer had changed the order that the numbers were written, so that the labels were now the wrong way around. The senior manager has put in a meeting with me and my manager for Monday to discuss it. I'm feeling really anxious and upset, and worried that I'm going to get fired or a written warning or something. I have a good eye for detail and do my best and I feel awful about this. Does anyone have any advice? I've never had a meeting like this, and have only been in the job a few months. I had a similar job before but mistakes/errors weren't treated like this.

Iseeiseeisee · 16/08/2024 13:06

Are you sure they are not just following normal employment law? Which is, mistake, get manager, employee in and keep a note that it was dealt with even by just having a meeting

i help manage someone on the side, so I am required to keep records.

Jc2001 · 16/08/2024 13:10

StormingNorman · 15/08/2024 18:05

Transposing numbers is a really easy mistake to make. Rely on your performance record and remind them how often you do this without making mistakes.

You’re not AI, you’re not infallible.

I wouldn't get all defensive. Don't go on about past performance etc.

Focus on how you will mitigate the risk of this happening again. What measures / checks you intend to put in place.

In my experience they're not interested in cracking heads they're interested in protecting their business.

HyggeTygge · 16/08/2024 14:13

Marchitectmummy · 16/08/2024 10:11

Don't be silly, are you really comparing commenring on mumsnet to a place of work?

It actually reaffirms my point, sloppiness/ not caring leads to errors. The difference is I am mot paid to type replies on here and you are not one of my clients. Your point is not valid

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No, I'm not seriously saying they are the same. That's what the winking emoji means.
I'll politely ignore your instruction to not be silly.

Lemonyfuckit · 16/08/2024 15:19

Abitofalark · 16/08/2024 13:01

It is understandable that you feel anxious but please try not to panic and don't be driven into a state by harsh or misleading commentary on here from people who prove the human element by making their own assumptions or being incompetent at typing, punctuation and sentence construction.

It's a normal human easy-to-understand one-off error in a long document. Nobody in their right mind would think any human can be perfect or immune from making the odd error, even though they might be embarrassed in front of a client or have a bit of a perfectionist tendency.

A meeting has been arranged to discuss it but from the information we have, it hasn't been notified as a disciplinary meeting. I would regard it as part of a normal management process to discuss such a thing. Don't rush into assuming the worst.

Acknowledge the natural human mistake as yours but place it in the context of your record of conscientious application to your work and high rate of accuracy which you wish to maintain and minimise the risk of such errors recurring.

This.

Good luck for the meeting OP. It does really strike me as a strange way to deal with what is essentially a small error (notwithstanding the wrong number can have a bit impact - can, albeit in this case hasn't). One - because everyone is human and despite taking care at their work and having good attention to detail, will inevitably overlook something occasionally (and I say this as someone who works in a profession where attention to detail is highly important and I pride myself on having very good attention to detail but know that I'm not infallible). Having a meeting about this seems entirely unnecessary (would only be necessary if this was a persistent problem suggesting someone wasn't actually taking the proper care). Additionally they're a bit lacking in awareness if they don't realise that putting it in on Monday with no additional detail is highly likely to cause someone to feel anxious (and to spend the weekend feeling anxious) - so that seems a bit clueless/poor management on their part.

I know it's human to worry but just own your mistake on Monday, say if necessary you can implement an additional system of cross checking the figures for example (and maybe can two people do it? - you say you're the last person that checks it - which means other people missed it too - I'm not suggesting you raise that as that sounds defensive, but just so you don't hear yourself up). And if they make a mountain out of it try and frame as (to yourself) as a them issue rather than a you issue if that makes sense.

Livingtothefull · 16/08/2024 18:51

Abitofalark · 16/08/2024 13:01

It is understandable that you feel anxious but please try not to panic and don't be driven into a state by harsh or misleading commentary on here from people who prove the human element by making their own assumptions or being incompetent at typing, punctuation and sentence construction.

It's a normal human easy-to-understand one-off error in a long document. Nobody in their right mind would think any human can be perfect or immune from making the odd error, even though they might be embarrassed in front of a client or have a bit of a perfectionist tendency.

A meeting has been arranged to discuss it but from the information we have, it hasn't been notified as a disciplinary meeting. I would regard it as part of a normal management process to discuss such a thing. Don't rush into assuming the worst.

Acknowledge the natural human mistake as yours but place it in the context of your record of conscientious application to your work and high rate of accuracy which you wish to maintain and minimise the risk of such errors recurring.

This.

It sounds like this is not a formal disciplinary meeting because the employee would/should be notified of this beforehand.

I agree this is probably just an investigatory meeting to discuss and understand what has happened; in which case it focuses on the incident itself rather than you as such. You should acknowledge and own your mistake and any proposals you have to avoid it happening again. Best to be completely upfront and avoid any impression of defensiveness.

It will hopefully end there as this looks to be a simple error not negligence. But in the event they do decide to formally make an issue of it, you can cite your positive track record as mitigation.

MoveToParis · 16/08/2024 19:03

Marchitectmummy · 16/08/2024 10:11

Don't be silly, are you really comparing commenring on mumsnet to a place of work?

It actually reaffirms my point, sloppiness/ not caring leads to errors. The difference is I am mot paid to type replies on here and you are not one of my clients. Your point is not valid

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I’m going to guess you are and architect or maybe even a Starchitect- both of whom I have worked with. One of them where I was the client.

There were occasional errors/typos that I picked up, and actually it was OK, because even though I was the client, I was also part of the team getting the house built, and I know from Projects it is also better to foster a spirit where things can be resolved up front without leaving underlings feeling afraid for their jobs - and then hiding errors.

You sound deeply unreasonable and extremely neurotic. Most clients do not react like you, and don’t want to work with those who manage by fear (even if they are unaware they are doing it).

MoveToParis · 16/08/2024 19:04

OP, hope things went OK today.

Meggie2008 · 16/08/2024 19:42

God your work would hate me. I absolutely have form for doing that exact thing, more than once 🙈 convinced I go number blind after a wee while.
I also once accidentally overrode our full base price list with an important customer's tailored price list on one of our systems. There was no formal meeting, no one died, there was just an admission, an apology and it was fixed.
I would hate a whole formal meeting situation for making mistakes

forgotmypassagain · 16/08/2024 19:45

Aulddeacon · 15/08/2024 19:05

Remember it’s only a job if you don’t work there you will work somewhere else

This with bells on.

Messen · 16/08/2024 22:24

What is a starchitect?! So out of the loop. Presume it is an architect crazily obsessed with the PR angle and controlling and promoting mindless flannely guff?

Livingtothefull · 16/08/2024 23:29

Kingoftheroad · 16/08/2024 08:58

Ignore them honey. I’ts this kind of person I deplore working with and for me.

I’ts a step by step process, you were the last man standing. A bit like the goalie in football. 9 men in front of him then he’s expected to perform like robot at the end.

companies that create a fuss like this, create a culture of blame and secrecy. People will hide mistakes, rather than ask for help.

go in, apologise stand your ground hold your head up,

I would immediately look for another job, rather than stay with a company that makes employees feel like this

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It goes beyond even a 'culture of blame and secrecy' where people hide mistakes, though that is all correct and is a major problem of this kind of workplace.

It leads to the situation where employees aren't going to risk putting their heads above the parapet and consider any creative risk taking with potential benefits, if they think the consequences of getting it wrong are not worth it to them. That's what an extremely error-averse workplace does - stifles creativity.

It will probably lead to the best employees not staying. As well as a miserable, toxic working environment for those who remain. But then employers either are the kind of human beings who care about that, or they aren't .

Hateliars34 · 17/08/2024 06:30

Anxioussss · 15/08/2024 19:33

We do have a multiple step process to check things, I am the last one in that process before it goes to our client to review (who then do their own process of checking, and it was during their check it was picked up).

The consequences are that it makes our company look bad to the client, and that we are sharing incorrect information. It's not life or death, or going to cost any money to fit. I fixed the issue in literally 5 seconds and sent it back to the client.

I feel a bit disappointed that a whole meeting has been put in about it, with my manager asked to attend too. In my previous company, the attitude to mistakes and errors was a lot healthier - there was an understanding that everyone would make errors at some point or another. This would have been a quick Teams message sent to me asking me to fix it and nothing more said, not a formal meeting.

Your workplace sounds insane. Please quit and go elsewhere.

That is such a tiny and easy to make error. Lots of other people missed it before you too! You don't have to come up with a way to stop it happening because you're a human being rather than a computer, so it's literally impossible. You already have lots of reviews in place as it is.

Tell them you're not a computer and them for a healthier place!

SunnyWavess · 17/08/2024 06:35

We’re human and we ALL make mistakes at work on occasion. If they fire you for that they are a terrible employer and they must go through staff like hot dinners as, as I say, we all make mistakes.

Kingoftheroad · 17/08/2024 11:33

Livingtothefull · 16/08/2024 23:29

It goes beyond even a 'culture of blame and secrecy' where people hide mistakes, though that is all correct and is a major problem of this kind of workplace.

It leads to the situation where employees aren't going to risk putting their heads above the parapet and consider any creative risk taking with potential benefits, if they think the consequences of getting it wrong are not worth it to them. That's what an extremely error-averse workplace does - stifles creativity.

It will probably lead to the best employees not staying. As well as a miserable, toxic working environment for those who remain. But then employers either are the kind of human beings who care about that, or they aren't .

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Well said - agree with everything you say

Kingoftheroad · 17/08/2024 11:40

Any idea how the op got on? Ive been thinking about her

L1ttledrummergirl · 19/08/2024 14:13

@Anxioussss I hope all is OK.

jolene7 · 19/08/2024 14:45

NAndJIsLockingDown · 16/08/2024 00:13

If this is just an isolated incident then I'd be letting you off with an informal warning but have you agree that any further mistakes will see you reported to HR.

Proof-reading is one of the most vital skills needed to succeed in the corporate world, if you can't be trusted to do it properly then how can you be trusted to do anything?

This is the most ridiculous (and mean) thing I have ever heard 🤣 a formal warning or going to HR for a proofreading mistake with no major impact. Get a grip, HR would laugh at you.
Also the idea that if a person makes a minor error, they can't be trusted with anything is such a low level logical fallacy I'm embarrassed reading it.

OP, you will be absolutely fine, acknowledge the error, explain that you have corrected it and talk about what preventative actions you can put in place-perhaps another QC review round or something. ALL humans make mistakes every day. Including the mean posters on here.

Let us know how it went! You will be FINE!