I made a huge mistake a year ago

[SeverusSnake]

And it’s just been found out in an audit.

I work in financial services for a financial planner. It was a case I worked on whilst I was still in probation. It was checked by a senior before being signed off at the time but the error wasn’t picked up. It has cost the client thousands.

I have a meeting with my boss on Monday. How likely am I to lose my job? I know no one can answer that really. I’m just in such a state over it all.

You were on probation. A senior person reviewed it and didn't spot the error.

I'd be surprised if the talk was much more than making you aware of the error so it doesn't happen again, and potentially talking about how to help other people not make it in the future; presuming you've had no other warnings and generally are doing well at work.

A loved one did something very similar recently. Also was signed off by senior. They asked how error occurred and to show how it happened in order for them to offer better training. Was in no trouble at all.

If anything the senior will get a right bollocking

If you've proved to be a reliable and effective employee in the year since then, I really doubt you'll lose your job. Firing and rehiring is a massive PITA and everyone knows we can all make one off mistakes.

If the managers don't think youre very good then maybe this will push them over the edge into getting rid of you.

Yes I’m doing well and all my feedback so far has been good but it isn’t something easily reversed (think wrong choice of income) and will have cost the client a lot of money. So I just think it might be too bad a mistake to recover from.

It's only money. You'll be okay, they will just want to ensure it doesn't happen again.

Do you work for a big company?

I'm a lawyer who has been defending professionals for over 15 years (including a lot of financial services firms) and now head up my own team in house. I don't think anyone I've dealt with has ever been sacked - and these mistakes often cost millions. If they are decent they will just show support. I honestly don't think badly of colleagues when they come to me and they've made a mistake. People make mistakes, we have insurance and we learn from it. I'm sure you'll be supported.

DD did something similar, in the same circs. She was still training so her work was checked before being sent to clients. Senior signed something off that was incorrect and it cost the employer £££. DD didn't lose her job. She was asked to help write the process.
Don't know what happened to the senior.