Disciplinary for theft at workplace, dismissal?

[ExNihilo]

So I will try to make this as short as I possibly can, I work evenings for a firm that deals with cleaning in hospitals and I have been in this job for just shy of one year. Recently have had problems with stock not being provided for me to do my job by the morning/day staff meaning I have to make trips daily to the stock room just so I can do my job, management have been told several times about this and the problem has still not been resolved.

As such I got fed up and stuck not even half a bag of cleaning cloths in my bag intending to bring them back the following day and got caught with them during a random bag search.

I have already been to a hearing a week and a half ago where evidence was gathered against me where I explained that this was the first time I had ever done this and why I put them in my bag in the first place.

I have not been suspended pending the investigation and am facing a disciplinary meeting next week. Is it likely that I will be dismissed or is there a chance I could get given just a warning?

[ULA]

Re: Disciplinary for theft at workplace, dismissal?

I presume that the morning/day staff are supposed to resupply the stocks to make sure there is enough in the cleaning trolley for the next shift and you have to do the same at the end of your shift for the morning staff?

In the letter inviting you to a disciplinary hearing have they have detailed the evidence they are relying on including anything that has come from the investigation they conducted?

What you need to do between now and the date of the hearing is try to make some notes with dates would be helpful when a) you came into work with the cleaning trolley not completely stocked and b) the dates and to whom you spoke to about this issue. This information can be used by you in the meeting to help in your defence of why you did what you did. Also if there is anything in the evidence that they have detailed that you have a different perspective on then again add that into your notes. You can then take these pre-prepared notes into the hearing.

I cannot pre-determine how your employer will deal with this matter, it will depend on how seriously they view it and their perspective on your how you present your case.

Have they given you the right to be accompanied by a colleague or a union rep and have you decided whether to take up that right?