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Original poster

a stupid stupid mistake

68 replies

mehdismummy · 21/02/2008 15:43

can anyone tell me where i stand legally? I am a shift manager of a pub and yesterday morning i was called up by one of the shift leaders to say the safe was £20 down. After putting phone down i checked through my pockets and realised i had the money in there. It must have been where i was changing up coins.

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tiredemma · 21/02/2008 15:45

Phone straight back up and say that you have it- say it was a mistake/

Lauriefairycake · 21/02/2008 15:46

eeeek! No idea legally, but 'tis an honest mistake, I hope they are ok with the truthful explanation

You get on ok with people at the job?

SenoraPostrophe · 21/02/2008 15:47

I'm pretty sure that legally an honest mistake is an honest mistake. just tell them and give it back.

Original poster
mehdismummy · 21/02/2008 15:53

instead of doing the sensible thing of just saying sorry it was in my pocket i did not i put it in the safe. Saying i misplaced it. The guy on duty then rang the manager saying i had been in the safe. Manager tells me today that he is gonna hold a disciplinary and it could end up as dismissal. I told him the truth and he said he knew as he had watched the cctv. I did not hide the fact. I took money out of my pocket in full view of camera and put it back. Just really worried. I am having a real hard time at moment. In middle of dv issues with dh and i am exhausted i get up at seven in morning and three nights a week work until one in morning. Ds does not sleep during day and wakes up three four times in night. Dh does not help financially and i am just so so exhausted and tbh at the end of my tether. Help please

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LIZS · 21/02/2008 16:01

Sorry I think it is up to manager's discretion as to how to proceed. You may simply get a verbal warning epsecially if you explain the pressures you are under but it depends on what they see as the actual offence, some might warrant dismissal. Do you have a contract , there should be a disciplinary procedure outlined in the terms and conditions.

dippydeedoo · 21/02/2008 16:06

ohhh mehdismummy you are having a dreadful time-i read another post of yours,i have no advice im sorry but i hope things soon get better for you xxxxxx

WallOfSilence · 21/02/2008 16:08

How did the £20 get in your pocket?

And if he watched you on the CCTV then he will know whether or not you meant to steal it, surely?

It was an honest mistake, hopefully it will all work out.

Original poster
mehdismummy · 21/02/2008 16:17

i took it to get change from another till. He knows i did not steal it. I am really really struggling. I am so so tired. Miserable and lonely. My doctor wanted to sign me off because of stress but it was made clear that i would be in trouble at work if i did. By the time closing time comes and its time to cash up i am on my knees. I suppose thats why i make easy mistakes. This is just another nail in my life at moment. Poor old ds is having t o put up with a tired snappy mum

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Freckle · 21/02/2008 16:18

How long have you worked there? Has the till always been correct on your shifts previously?

If your record is good and the manager thinks you work well, then I would hope that he will accept it was an honest mistake. How did the money get into your pocket?

Freckle · 21/02/2008 16:19

OK, well if your doctor wants to sign you off and you are still working because of pressure from this manager, then you need to point out that mistakes are going to happen in those circumstances. If he is going to hold a disciplinary, then perhaps you should raise a grievance about pressure being brought to bear on staff to carrying on working when their doctor thinks they shouldn't be.

Original poster
mehdismummy · 21/02/2008 17:20

they have always been fine before. I have worked for company for four years and never had problem before. I put money in my pocket because i walking through customer area. Have told him before i am struggling and need a refresher course. He also knows about dh. He needs to transfer some managers out as we have too many and he needs to move someone. Perhaps i have just given him a reason to move me.

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dippydeedoo · 21/02/2008 21:40

I think they will understand u are absolutely exhausted and besides if you were going to steal £20 which I presume they are suggesting was a possibility you would have took more than £20.hugs (( u)) dee x

WallOfSilence · 21/02/2008 21:43

Aw sweety, you are going through such a hard time at the minute, you deserve so much more

Original poster
mehdismummy · 22/02/2008 00:36

well disciplinary is tomorrow. He said it might be a final written warning or worse. Apparently it was a big fuck up. God it was just an honest mistake i know i should have just phoned and admitted it but it was early in the morning i had been working late and up most of the night. I just was not thinking.

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kid · 22/02/2008 00:51

You need to find out the procedure for their disciplinary actions. Some offences are sackable, stealing is probably one of them. I do not think your intention was to steal and the fact that you owned up to it, supports your claim to it being a mistake.
If they ask why you didn't own up earlier, say you didn't even know it was there until you went to put clothes in the washing machine.

If they do dismiss you over it, you have a case for unfair dismissal. If you can prove they have too many managers and need to get rid of some and also the fact you are unable to be signed off work by your dr due to getting in trouble at work, then you have a case.

Good luck at the meeting. It might be worth asking for a witness to attend with you.

Califrau · 22/02/2008 00:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
mehdismummy · 22/02/2008 01:24

i just dunno whether to go to dr and get signed off or will it get me into more trouble. They saying that i should not have been in safe off duty and thats what is a offence. Even though manager has himself come into pub at 3am in morning and taken money out of safe. Without leaving a note etc. Dh as usual no support. Thanks for hugs btw

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dippydeedoo · 22/02/2008 01:28

i dont think getting signed off sick at this moment is a good move you need to go to this meeting be clear about your error and clearly your intention was not to steal yes rules are in place but its not always abided by-and point out this managers actions tonight - if they were going to sack you surely they would have suspended you ??? ill keep my fingers crossed for you hun this time tomorrow you will know for sure, dont stress what will be will be - maybe a new oppurtunity is just around the corner?? chin up hunny xx

Original poster
mehdismummy · 22/02/2008 01:38

thanks dippy. Yes i actually think they would have had to suspend me too and i had full charge of safe and pub tonight. Manager also came in and helped cash up showing me easier ways to do things. He has always been supportive in past. God wish i could sleep.

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readytopop · 22/02/2008 01:46

Maybe if they sack you it is a positive in disguise? (((((((big hug))))))

I agree with dippy, if they were going to sack you they wouldn't have left you in charge today. could it be that your manager has realised how unsupportive the company has been esp in that you've not let the doctor sign you off because of potential consequences?

Good luck for tomorrow

dippydeedoo · 22/02/2008 07:47

good luck for today medhismummy xxx

colditz · 22/02/2008 08:17

Just keep reminding them you you were supposed to be signed off with stress, and that when someone is stressed, tired, overworked, overpressured and undersupported, mistakes happen.

I really feel for you. Retail can be foul.

WallOfSilence · 22/02/2008 12:49

Good Luck love.

Does your boss know what life at home is like? Do you think they would be supportive in you leaving dh?

Original poster
mehdismummy · 22/02/2008 13:11

no i think they all have many faces. The guy who caused all this grief for me had said to me when i put the money back in. 'oh dont worry. I will just say i found it' as soon as i had left he was on the phone saying julie has been in the safe taking money etc. I thought this guy was a friend-

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Original poster
mehdismummy · 22/02/2008 18:45

well just had the investigation and disciplinary is gonna be held soon as possible. Apparently is gross misconduct and therefore sackable. Even though the actual manager came into the pub on his day off at three in morning drunk. Took £40 out of safe and did not leave a note. First thing we knew about it was when he was phoned the next day. So how comes it was ok for him. They say i breeched cash control policy but have not been on a refresher course since i came back off maternity.( they were meant to send me on one) and have therefore not signed it. Might ring acas for advice. Anyone out there got any ideas?

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