Think I’m getting fired

[Losingmyjob24]

I messed up. I have a meeting at work and if I cant explain good reason I ‘may be terminated’.
I’ve never had any issues at work before, I’m well respected, have an excellent track record in my field, I’m good at my job and an integral part of the leadership team. However I messed up and missed a shift due to putting my holiday dates in wrong. They were wrong already due to a complicated system and I did fix them but obviously not correctly meaning I missed a shift.
Would it be a good idea to take my resignation and if being fired to ask if they will accept my resignation instead so that Ive not got being fired on my record? I’ve been suspended for over a week prior to the meeting so I definitely think I’m being fired. There have been some money issues in the business and lots of cuts have been made. This definitely gives them good reason to get rid of a big wage easily. I’ve spent this least week applying for jobs and have a few interviews lined up. I just need to sort this asap.
There was a previous issue around 3 years ago when I was on holiday and the rota was done and I had to call up and say I’m not back until the following day (they had me in for a shift on the day I was flying home). They are saying on the documentation sent out that this isn’t the first time so it’s gross misconduct. We are a small company and I always tell my manager when I’m away, the online system for booking is so bloody confusing. You cant just book 2 weeks off you have to do it in blocks missing days for ur days off and I’m obviously an idiot and can’t do it right. I’m really mad at myself and spiralling, feeling sick with worry but I can’t take this back. There is nothing I can do. In hindsight I should have triple checked before going off but that’s all I can think of. It was my boss who picked up they were initially wrong which was why I changed them!

If they sack you they don't have to pay you redundancy.

So they may use this incident as an excuse. But as others have said, they have to follow policy on things like verbal warnings and written warnings etc. per their own HR policies.

Apologise.
Do not resign as you won't get unemployment benefits in these circs for about five months.

Acas is your friend.

End of I’m an idiot and have really screwed this up and now my family are going to suffer when we don’t have enough money coming in. I just want the meeting over with and then I know for sure.

Come on, you need to stand up for yourself a bit here instead of turning it all inwards.

If you act helpless, you'll be helpless - but that's a choice.

At least speak to Acas.

Going to phone Acas tomorrow because the kids will be out trying to shield them from it all just now and put on a brave face. Thanks everyone I do really appreciate it x

Make a note of everything ... date, time, who and what.
Have they had an investigation interview with you?
Has anybody else missed a shift? What happened to them if so?
I suspect not and they are just going to fire you ... in which case it's likely unfair dismissal.

Thanks, I returned from holiday and went in to (I thought) start my shift and was met with a sit down telling me what had happened and that they were suspending me. Plenty of staff have missed shifts before and nothing happened. There was another manager who was in jail and missed their shift they were suspended though not for as long as me.

Please let us know the outcome 🙏 is the meeting today?.

Hi @Bathh82 I have had my meeting today was over in 10 minutes said they need to discuss with owner and will let me know tomorrow. I spoke to ACAS and I asked them when did this previous incident happen and he said about 2 years ago. I asked if they had any paperwork to show I had a warning and he said no and seemed a little on the back foot. I did sneak a peak at the rota and I’m not on it so obviously getting sacked! Have already secured a part time job and have an interview today for a full time post so fingers crossed. I have to call ACAS back but they spoke about early conciliation being an option if I do get sacked.

You have rights as an employee, so make sure they don't get away with sacking you just because it suits their agenda. If your job isn't there they need to make you redundant.

They have to follow a process to dismiss you, even if you are at fault (it's not gross misconduct to miss 1 shift) Or they need to offer you a settlement (financial) to leave.

Make sure you speak to ACAS and know your rights. I know it's easy to move on, but you shouldn't be disadvantaged by this situation

Good on you for standing up for yourself.

Hope your interview goes well.

Thanks very much. My biggest concern about chasing this is how to then get a reference for any new employment? I have lots of people but think it would look bad not to have someone from there providing one.

If you go thro ACAS, a ref is usually agreed as part of the agreement.

If you've already got a part time job lined up (well done!) then at least you will have a reference from there for now. I'm sorry you're going through this. I hope ACAS will help advise what to do or say when you speak to them again.

Frankly, the only way you will get a neutral or better reference will be to negotiate to leave as a good leaver with due redundancy pay.

Please take the advice offered and seek professional representation. It sounds like the employer is trying to sack you unjustly. You will win the case and would end up financially better off, with a reference and possibly even some gardening leave to spend with your family.

Carry on the way you seem to be going and you could miss out on all of that - and may not get taken on elsewhere if they can’t get a reference for you.

What a ridiculous reason to sack someone. A clear misunderstanding.

Sorry you're going through this op

Im so sorry OP. Sounds awful. Like the other replies I would get professional advice as it seems like a misunderstanding. Don't let them get away with sacking you if they should be making your role redundant,

If they sack you, write down the circumstances, the words they use, whether they formalise it in writing or just verbal, All this detail counts, towards proving whether they abide by their policy and uk employment law.

i know it can feel very intimidating to go head to head with an employer and easier to walk away, but I hope they compensate you and you get a reference plus if they owe you for any unused accrued holiday pay, they must pay that in your final settlement,

I couldn’t agree more, what awful employers. She just made a mistake with her shifts. One of my staff did exactly that this week - I called her, she had got confused with her shifts and someone else was able to cover her very quickly, all sorted. She was very upset but it was a mistake. My company wouldn’t dream of hauling someone over the coals for this. It’s certainly not what I would call gross misconduct.
I really hope op gets a new job where she is treated decently and with respect.

How are things going @Losingmyjob24?

Hope you're bearing up okay.