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Original poster

I did something terrible at work

38 replies

LMonkey · 09/03/2017 21:59

First of all I need to say how utterly ashamed I am of myself and I know I won't be getting any sympathy.

I've felt very stressed at work the last couple of days, which is unusual as I see work as a welcome break from the stress at home looking after the kids. This morning when I was in the office on my own things were really getting to me as I had so much to do and was late to go on to my next place (I move round the building a lot). In a fit of stress over something I was trying to do and couldn't, having no time and being late, I threw down my computer mouse which then hit the screen of my laptop and broke it internally. Obviously I immediately regretted doing that. Didn't know what to do so when I got to my next place I just made out that the laptop had been fine and the internal crack had just appeared there.

I have notified the IT person who no doubt when he sees this will absolutely know that this was damage from impact. I don't know what will happen now. Worst case scenario, I guess I could get the sack. Bad enough I could get in trouble. Best case is that I get a replacement laptop which will not be nearly as good as the one I had because obviously there isn't money to just throw around, and I have therefore made my own life more stressful because another laptop may not be as efficient and I'll probably be waiting ages to get it making it very difficult to do my work in the interim. Obviously this is all my own fault and this one moment of stupidity has made my own life even more stressful. I don't think my laptop is repairable.

I HATE myself for doing this. I've never been so destructive or careless of work property before. Does anyone have any ideas of how I could rectify this? 'Fessing up is not an option....I keep thinking what if I lose my job? We need the money as a family....I would be letting my kids down. Again I KNOW this is totally my own fault and I deserve whatever I have coming to me. I just don't know what to do other than denying all knowledge of how the damage occurred. Any advice/ideas anyone?

OP posts:
ArchNotImpudent · 09/03/2017 22:07

I sympathise - when we have 'system problems' at work, I feel like throwing the equipment out of the window.

Given that you didn't intend the laptop to break; although you acted in frustration, the consequence was unforeseen - could you just say that you accidentally dropped something on it and leave it at that?

Xoticdreamz · 09/03/2017 22:10

Accidents happen , try not to think of the worst possible scenario, sounds like you just had a shit day.

HerOtherHalf · 09/03/2017 22:10

Just say you dropped it.

Kwackerly · 09/03/2017 22:10

I would say I had dropped it, and not stress. You sound stressed enough! It wasn't deliberate. Be kind to yourself over this.

Floggingmolly · 09/03/2017 22:12

Obviously you shouldn't have done it, but... lose your job? Confused. Doesn't your company have insurance?

FlaviaAlbia · 09/03/2017 22:13

I doubt the IT person will care tbh. Since you've no track record of damaging equipment it'll most likely be written off as a accident.

angelicjen · 09/03/2017 22:14

I once put my laptop down in the car park while I searched for my keys in my Mary popping handbag, then reversed over it.
I told IT it had 'just stopped working'.
Don't beat yourself up over it, accidents happen all the time.

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 09/03/2017 22:14

I took my laptop home a few months ago and my toddler DS slammed it shut and smashed the screen. My boss didn't fuss - she just said accidents happen and I got it repaired. The screen replacement cost £75. Can you not just say you dropped something on it?

I do think you sound very stressed - accidents do happen, it's probably insured, why would they sack you? You're catastrophising unnecessarily. I do that when I'm stressed - lose all sense of perspective.

SorrelSoup · 09/03/2017 22:15

You're making too much of this! Nobody needs to.know you did it deliberately, and actually you didn't. Just say you dropped it or you fell and dropped it. You won't be the first or last person to throw something in anger or frustration. Don't beat yourself up.

woodhill · 09/03/2017 22:15

Yes they probably won't care. Sometimes it is better to be a bit evasive.

You're human. Better you take it out on an inanimate object.

leccybill · 09/03/2017 22:18

Ah, I slammed the screen of a laptop down in frustration a while back.

Of course I said I'd dropped it.

PuddingontheBrain · 09/03/2017 22:19

Many moons ago my flat mate and i were dancing around the living room (drunk) to Kylie's The Locomotive. He flew his gangly long leg out in an energetic move and kicked his work laptop screen totally destroying it. He was terrified of the consequences but it was fine.

Obviously your situation is different but silly accidents happen. You didn't mean to break your screen. Just say you dropped it and next time you feel frazzled go for some fresh air or count to ten etc.

fernanie · 09/03/2017 22:19

Most companies have really robust insurance policies that accommodate this sort of thing without batting an eyelid.
Don't beat yourself up about it - who here has honestly never done something a bit destructive in a moment of stress? Blush
FWIW my dad works in his company's IT department and they see it all. This won't be the worst incident by far - probably won't even make his dinner party repertoire I'm afraid Wink

Finola1step · 09/03/2017 22:22

Blimey. I opened this thread expecting to see all sorts of scenarios...you stole from an elderly person, you fat shamed a junior colleague, you shagged your married boss, you wiped a whole year's worth of accounts, etc etc.

You were stressed and you threw something. It happens. The key questions here are why are you so hard on yourself and do you really hate yourself?

Waddlelikeapenguin · 09/03/2017 22:22

Meh we used to discuss the relative aerodynamic properties of different laptops with our IT. They don't care, it's not their budget they just fix or replace.
Also I would assume you're likely to get a better spec if it needs replaced so...

Try to treat the stress. Maybe some mindfulness or meditation? Or Chocolate

KERALA1 · 09/03/2017 22:25

God I threw a work phone in a lake once. I think you are catastrophising abit sorry. Just say you had an accident with the computer and act nonchalant.

Marcipex · 09/03/2017 22:33

You dropped it.

If necessary to salve your conscience, drop it now.

Original poster
LMonkey · 09/03/2017 22:34

This is why I love mumsnet. Thank you all, I already feel better. I probably am going a bit crazy over it. Just so disappointed with myself x

OP posts:
blowmybarnacles · 09/03/2017 22:36

Say something fell on it, its half true, then buy yourself a stress ball and forgive yourself.

TattyCat · 09/03/2017 22:36

Our dog jumped on DP's laptop and shattered the screen on a day he was working from home, 3.5hrs drive away from work so unable to continue.

She wasn't popular, but these things happen and the laptop was replaced. Don't sweat it but don't 'fess up to it being deliberate though!

If it's any consolation, I once threw MY OWN laptop across the floor. That was a costly mistake I haven't repeated!

nomad27 · 09/03/2017 22:36

I smacked my laptop in frustration so hard the screen went fuzzy and smoke came out. Said it was an accident and no one batted an eyelid.

Also dropped a brand new iPad on the pavement when on a location shoot. Again no one really cared.

I would just say you dropped it. They'll be covered by insurance. Plus most companies just lease equipment from large providers anyway; under their agreement they'll probably send a replacement or repair.

Thattimeofyearagain · 09/03/2017 22:38

It WAS an accident. Be kind to yourself op Flowers

SolomanDaisy · 09/03/2017 22:39

Jesus, I thought you were going to have stolen money or planted porn on the boss's computer or something. This will be fine.

cordeliavorkosigan · 09/03/2017 22:44

The cost of hiring someone else would be more than the laptop screen even if they really cared, which they won't! Hope it goes well for you op.

ComeOnSpring · 09/03/2017 22:45

Say you dropped it - a bit tongue in cheek if they fire you, raise a grievance/ sue them. They can't dismiss you for an accident.