Suspended from work after serious mistake and struggling to see a way forward

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Made a massive error at work, I’ve been suspended and awaiting disciplinary meeting. I think I’m gonna be dismissed for gross misconduct. I can’t see a way back from this. There’s no way forward. I don’t know how we will cope without my wage but equally can’t see a way in which I can ever return to my previous type of work. Any one experienced similar and things got better?

What is your past record etc? Any other mistakes? was it just human error?

I think every system has to take into account human error and have controls and checks in place. We are all human and make mistakes. Rarely can 1 person be blamed.

Either way..it will pass.

Have you got support eg from a union? Everyone makes mistakes and systems need to account for it. Do you understand why you made the mistake, were there contributing factors to consider eg lack of training, excessive workload? A good union rep can help you unpick what happened and help you defend your decision making.

Can you resign before you are dismissed so it won’t be on your work record? Is there anyone who can/would give you a reference so you don’t necessarily have to use your current boss?

Obviously only useful if there are other jobs you can apply for. Best of luck in any case, it sounds like a really stressful time.

Did anybody die? Don't mean to be flippant but otherwise it's just not worth your mental health. People make mistakes, systems should be in place to stop this having a catastrophic effect.

Don't spiral. It'll be fine no matter the outcome xx

All you can do is apologise and if tgey are going to dismiss you, appeal to their better nature and ask if you can resign ... unless it's a safeguarding matter, in which case unlikely they will allow that.

Is there anyone you can take to the hearing with you for support? A colleague/union rep, etc? Ideally someone who can help you prepare beforehand and help you out if you get a bit overwhelmed.

Perhaps write a statement that you can share with the panel beforehand so that you make sure you have told them all the key points/facts. Showing that you recognise the mistake and what steps you will take to avoid something happening again in future might be worth including. Good luck.

That's what sprung to my mind too! If no one died, it can be fixed.

I would ring ACAS for advice and see if there's anything they can suggest to help you.

As to the actual issue that happened, can you look at the process as to how the mistake arose eg how did you become aware of the problem, what checks are made in the work - is it just one person's work (ie you) and nobody above checking it for errors?
Then, can you suggest a change in the process to prevent future errors?
I think if you can show acceptance you made the mistake, but also why it happened, and some ideas how to resolve it, then you may well just be stuck on a 1st written warning or similar - for example, say you are continually interrupted by others while you are doing the task, and that the solution could be to have a different location to work from when doing that task where people are not wandering by and cannot interrupt you.

I’m in a union, I’ve contacted them so just waiting to hear back.

My actual work I don’t think there is an issue, not that kind of mistake, it’s a conduct issue. It came about because my MH has been declining the past few months and I’ve reached breaking point

No, no one died though I wish I had.

I’m really sorry to hear this. Hope you’re in touch with your GP and that you can get some help.

I hope they see it for what it is - a mental health episode and treat you with kindness. OP, please reach out to someone - you shouldn’t feel like this. Sending love to you and wish you better x

Yes, they have increased my medication. Which might help I guess, and given me some propranolol as I’m getting palpitations

OP please be kind to yourself and seek RL support. No job is worth you feeling like that about yourself.

You might need to be clearer about what actually happened in order for people to help but it sounds like if the misconduct related to a mental health issue, there should be no reason you can’t return to the field once your mental health is better and you have a plan in place to avoid similar incidents.

This is great advice

I'm so sorry to hear that you are going through this. I had a similar situation happen to me last year.
I advise ACAS, they were amazing for me. You also need to go to your GP if you haven't already. You will be under immense stress and anxiety right now and some medication might be the right step.
When you get to disciplinary my advice is to be open to what you have been dealing with regarding your MH. Admit your faults, reiterate that they were not intentional and you want support to prevent a future occurrence. Advise that you have sought support for your MH and are open to any re-training/support they suggest.
I promise you things will get better. I've been there, it's taken time and lots of tears but I can see a way forward. Thinking of you.

That’s exactly what it is - a mental health episode. Work don’t see it that way though. I just can’t see how I’ll ever recover enough to go back to the way things were. The GP said I may just need to accept I can’t manage work and go on sickness benefits - but I doubt I would get PIP or anything and even if I did it’s much less than my salary

It’s quite difficult to sack someone for misconduct if they have declared mental health issues. You might be put on a warning.

They will absolutely need to take that into account.

Use a benefit calculator such as turn2us. You should be able to claim New-Style ESA which is based on your NI contributions, so isn't means-tested.

There are worse things than getting dismissed.

An aquaintance of mine spend 6 months in prison (nothing to do with ther job) but of course she could not go back there, While in prison she did some computer qualifications which were validated by a local college. No reference to prison.After getting out she reverted to her single name. In those days those qualifications were in demand so she temped for 15 months. Then was offered a permanent job at one office. Eventually rose to become manager. Now this was back in the late 1980s when there was not all this database checking. She simply explained the gap on her CV as "providing end of life care for an elderly relative". No one ever questioned her further. Its not the kind of thing you ask about in an interview.

In effect she was economical with the truth and re-invented herself by taking some qualifications and pivoting into a new area. You do what you have to do to get on in life.

You’re in the thick of it right now and things must feel like they’ll never get better but they will.

Talk with your union and try to remain as positive as you can.

It will all be ok in the end no matter how it works out.

There will be life after this situation and you will feel better.

If your work isnt an issue, what exactly have you done? Breached GPDR? You havent killed anyone so thats good.

Human error (especially if you have declared MH) will stand in your favour.

If its a work conduct I.e youve lost your shit at someone, people will be able to advise better.