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Original poster

oh heck, I think they may sack me....

18 replies

TrollopDollop · 27/02/2012 15:43

I don't want to give to much away but I made a mistake last week. Sent something via email that was confidential. I realised straight away and fessed up to my boss (it would have been easy to cover up and not said anything). Anyway, I am due on work tomorrow and am almost 100% sure they are going to sack me. I don't really know what to do. Any advice? It was a stupid mistake and I shoudn;t have made it but it was a mistake rather than deliberate.

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Sarsaparilllla · 27/02/2012 15:46

If you spotted it quick enough they should've been able to recall the email via IT - did they/you try and do this or did your boss suggest it? I don't think you can sack you on to spot for that unless it was so confidential it's classed as gross misconduct, I think you might get a letter/meeting with HR about being more cautious about confidentiallity issues

Original poster
TrollopDollop · 27/02/2012 15:51

Yes it was recalled.I am so Blush about the whole thing.

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flowery · 27/02/2012 19:41

How long have you been there?

It's the kind of thing that they wouldn't use to dismiss someone who was otherwise a valued employee, and/or had been there a long time. It's not one of those things that's so serious it's hard not to sack someone, iyswim?

If you've been there longer than a year it won't be as simple as just sacking you, there would have to be a process and unless you have other warnings on your records they'd have to say it was serious enough to be gross misconduct.

If you've been there only a short time they might sack you if you haven't yet established yourself as being valuable to the business.

PurplePidjin · 27/02/2012 19:49

I missed a medication once, which is technically gross misconduct. Fessed up and apologized as soon as I realized and wasn't even disciplined. People Make mistakes and you told the truth. As long as you're working for rational, reasonable people there won't be a problem.

Plus if it was that big a deal you'd already be fired...

DCgirl · 27/02/2012 19:55

I agree, I think it would have to be something uber-confidential for them to sack you. Plus you 'fessed up right away which is surely in your favour. Best of luck, let us know how it goes.

clareanna · 27/02/2012 19:56

I did something very similar and was so horrified when I realised what I'd done I threw up! So know how you've been feeling. I don't think it's the mistake that matters so much as how you deal with it and go about putting it right (as much as you can). You've been honest, apologised and rectified things as much as you can so I think you'll be fine- good luck !

Original poster
TrollopDollop · 27/02/2012 20:01

Oh dear. I have been there for 11 months Sad Now I feel like my head is for the chop. I don't think they would have sacked me as yet as tomorrow would be their earliest opportunity due to work patterns and the fact I work at home on the day it happened. I feel so stupid. I don't want to tell DH as he has enough on his plate with sick parents. My boss and colleague were cc'd in on the email and when I recalled it they never even knew it had been there. My colleague said she would have kept it quiet. I wish I had now! It was major confidential in the context of my work but not as in state secret. What a total idiot. Never forward an email. Such an easy but nevertheless stupid mistake.

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Original poster
TrollopDollop · 27/02/2012 20:03

Clareanna - I very nearly did the same. It was horrible.

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Original poster
TrollopDollop · 28/02/2012 02:46

[Sad] can't sleep

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Original poster
TrollopDollop · 28/02/2012 02:48

[Sad] can't sleep

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Original poster
TrollopDollop · 28/02/2012 02:49

Oops i phone

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poppycat04 · 28/02/2012 02:51

Hope it goes ok tomorrow.
Hope sleep comes soon

MrsIcarus · 28/02/2012 02:53

Everyone makes mistakes, it's how you handle them that matters. You took responsibility and the email was recalled. It may have been close to disastrous but you acted quickly to sort it out.

Hope all goes well for you tomorrow.

Original poster
TrollopDollop · 28/02/2012 11:59

Just had the chat all is well

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Sinkingfeeling · 28/02/2012 13:24

Phew Trollop - must be a relief. Everyone is right though - you admitted your mistake straight away and will learn from it (cliche but true). Glad your manager saw it that way too.

bleedingheart · 28/02/2012 13:26

Glad all is well. You must have felt awful but you did the honourable thing in owning up and facing it.

QuintessentialyHollow · 28/02/2012 13:29

This is why businesses should have a data loss prevention solution.
Human error is common place, it is all too easy to send confidential information to the wrong recipient. The onus is on the company to have this in place!

Original poster
TrollopDollop · 28/02/2012 22:01

Thanks. Sending you non mumsnet type hug.[Thanks]

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