Suspended from work with investigation meeting tomorrow

[Kc8amt]

Hi I really need some advice.* I have worked for my retailer for over 3 years and have just recently returned as a Christmas temp employee after having left full time to attend university. While at work yesterday, my manager took me aside for a locker inspection and upon inspecting, they found an old tester bottle of perfume that I had forgotten to remove from my bag. It was a bottle I had taken from our tester stock a good while ago and I admit it was extremely wrong and I felt so guilty so had never done it again. When confronted, I panicked and told them I had received the perfume from a friend but I am now suspended and under inspection. I feel completely lost and disgusted with myself. I love my job and I would never do something like this again. I have also never been in trouble with the law. I want to know what the possible outcomes for me could be? Should I admit what I have done? Will I lose my Christmas pay? I am so full of guilt, I wish I could undo it all. I have just had a call for an investigation meeting tomorrow. Should I be completely honest? I'm at a total loss and any reassurance would be helpful

[Kati]

Re: Suspended from work with investigation meeting tomorrow

:bump: for [MENTION=26290]mariefab[/MENTION] [MENTION=70488]judgemental[/MENTION] [MENTION=48758]stevemLS[/MENTION] [MENTION=67649]matt3942[/MENTION] ???

[mariefab]

Re: Suspended from work with investigation meeting tomorrow

If the investigation establishes that you stole the perfume it's very likely that you'll be dismissed.
In that case you shouldn't lose pay for work already done and you should also be paid for any accrued untaken holiday entitlement.

[Kc8amt]

Re: Suspended from work with investigation meeting tomorrow

I fully expect to be dismissed, I deserve that. Do you think they will take legal action? Thank you for taking the time to reply to me

[leclerc]

Re: Suspended from work with investigation meeting tomorrow

I fully expect to be dismissed, I deserve that. Do you think they will take legal action? Thank you for taking the time to reply to me

No they won't for one item because the cost of litigation outweighs the cost of the item. They might threaten it but they won't take that kinda action.

[demist]

Re: Suspended from work with investigation meeting tomorrow

The thing about tester bottles is, unless the company name and logo are stamped on them, they could be from anywhere. Even if the company name and logo is stamped on them, tester bottles are not included in stock takes and no record is kept of them instore. How are they gonna show it came from your store. If it was taken a while ago it would have been replaced by now so either tell them to prove one is missing from the store today or, you take them to the store tester bottles in your store and show that theirs is still there. I don't see how they can sack you if no stock is actually missing and there is no record of stock missing!!! Just stick to the story that your friend gave it you because if you change you story now they will get suspicious.

[teaboy2]

Re: Suspended from work with investigation meeting tomorrow

Agreed with Demist

The bottle was taken a while ago, theres no prove that your friend didn't give you it - Ask your friend to provide a written statement confirming that they gave you the bottle after buying online ages ago but not being to keen on the fragrance.

As demists says, take them to the tester section and show them there tester is still there, ask them for CCTV showing you taking the bottle along with any other evidence they may be relying on. Point out they do not have any grounds for reasonable belief that you stole anything at all.

Though if the company name and logo is on it then your screwed, but then i doubt that the name and logo was on it since you told them your friend gave you it!

Also you say they found it in your bag - Did you consent to them searching your bag?

[Openlaw15]

Re: Suspended from work with investigation meeting tomorrow

Hi I really need some advice.* I have worked for my retailer for over 3 years and have just recently returned as a Christmas temp employee after having left full time to attend university. While at work yesterday, my manager took me aside for a locker inspection and upon inspecting, they found an old tester bottle of perfume that I had forgotten to remove from my bag. It was a bottle I had taken from our tester stock a good while ago and I admit it was extremely wrong and I felt so guilty so had never done it again. When confronted, I panicked and told them I had received the perfume from a friend but I am now suspended and under inspection. I feel completely lost and disgusted with myself. I love my job and I would never do something like this again. I have also never been in trouble with the law. I want to know what the possible outcomes for me could be? Should I admit what I have done? Will I lose my Christmas pay? I am so full of guilt, I wish I could undo it all. I have just had a call for an investigation meeting tomorrow. Should I be completely honest? I'm at a total loss and any reassurance would be helpful

What allegations have they raised specifically against you, do you have union official representing you? What is the company's policy ie grievance procedure. If you admit the truth now and say you panicked by making a mistake, it may not be too late. The problem with that it will go on your record. If you want a criminal law equivalent assessment, they cannot prove anything except you have the tester in your locker, which is circumstantial at best. Could someone have put it in your locker other than you. How feasible is it for your friend to confirm they give you the perfumer tester, is the product easily to get hold of outside of your employer's place. Could you purchase it online? Does it have a specific code? You did not take the tester home so technically you haven't stole anything. It would fail in criminal law for theft so several reasons. However, this is not criminal law this is the real world affecting a normal person who made a mistake, and is no criminal.