Suspended from work

DVardysShadow

Anihilator wrote: »

If it can be shown the laptop was there and only either the OP or the colleague took it this would be grounds to dismiss them both.

OP was not in on the day of the delivery. Laptop must have been left overnight, OP was only there for 35 mins before discovery.

Your argument is along the lines of "because it was taken, there are grounds to dismiss someone. OP is is someone, colleague is someone - both can be dismissed."

mikey72

Anihilator wrote: »

If it can be shown the laptop was there and only either the OP or the colleague took it this would be grounds to dismiss them both.

Good rule, I never heard of that before. I used to think some sort of proof may be required.
Where does it stop then, if there were 5 people, and one of them must have taken it, in the opinion of the manager, you can dismiss all 5?
10? 20? The entire workforce?

Zazen999

Whoever signed for it should have locked it away until the person who it was for took possession. He signed for it, was the last person to see it, and opened up the next day? And it wasn't there in the morning when you got there?

I think they may have suspended you pending investigation; but the above is all you have to keep saying. You weren't there when it was signed for and it was not there when you arrived that morning. It is your colleague that needs to answer questions in my opinion.

NovaBlack100

Anihilator wrote: »

If it can be shown the laptop was there and only either the OP or the colleague took it this would be grounds to dismiss them both.

..what.... ?

:rotfl:hahahaha...:rotfl:sorry, but thats the daftest thing i've ever heard.

you even say if 'only EITHER the op OR the colleague took it' acknowledging that you realise they cannot have both taken it.

i.e. singular.. so ONE PERSON is a thief, which also means?... Yeah .. exactly, it also means that more importantly one person is INNOCENT!...

You cant dismiss an entire group of employees just because ONE of them MAY have commited a crime (i say 'may' as let's not forget, they have no proof, somebody else may have walked in and taken it, a 3rd party for instance). By dismissing both people, they arent just ensuring they remove the thief, they are also 100% certain to be unfairly dismissing one party without any valid reason.

rupee99

NovaBlack100 wrote: »

..what.... ?

:rotfl:hahahaha...:rotfl:sorry, but thats the daftest thing i've ever heard.

you even say if 'only EITHER the op OR the colleague took it' acknowledging that you realise they cannot have both taken it.

i.e. singular.. so ONE PERSON is a thief, which also means?... Yeah .. exactly, it also means that more importantly one person is INNOCENT!...

You cant dismiss an entire group of employees just because ONE of them MAY have commited a crime (i say 'may' as let's not forget, they have no proof, somebody else may have walked in and taken it, a 3rd party for instance). By dismissing both people, they arent just ensuring they remove the thief, they are also 100% certain to be unfairly dismissing one party without any valid reason.

You must remember, proof, evidence, natural justice and a fair hearing are all alien matters to Anihilator.

wontfallforit

DMWG81 wrote: »

My boss went for about 30 minutes then came back with the owner of the company, they both ranted and shouted at me and my colleague saying we are the only people who could of taken the Laptop. Then they got the police in to look around etc and they suspended us.

By which do you mean the only two colleagues who could've stolen the laptop, or the only two with the authority to sign for/accept packages? If it's the latter, this may be an issue. But, you weren't there. I wouldn't worry too much, sit tight and see what happens (easier said than done!), and put your case across when the opportunity arises.

Sounds like the other person should've taken more care in storing the item, but still, not exactly proof that he/she stole it...

allydowd

Have you asked the delivery company to verify who took receipt of the laptop?

DMWG81

My colleague (The one who was also suspended) took receipt for the Laptop. He is an honest guy and i would be extremely surprised and shocked if it turns out to be him. I think we are being made scapegoats and i hope this gets sorted very soon because it is getting me down.

Bobby2

I think the key thing to be learned here, is that YOU DO NOT SIGN FOR ANYTHING that does not relate to your work environment - if people are having personal items sent into their place of work, if they are not there to sign for the goods/item themselves then the item should be returned to the delivery office.

I am so sorry that you and your colleague have been suspended. I do hope that this matter sorts itself out.

Savvy_Sue

Bobby2 wrote: »

I think the key thing to be learned here, is that YOU DO NOT SIGN FOR ANYTHING that does not relate to your work environment - if people are having personal items sent into their place of work, if they are not there to sign for the goods/item themselves then the item should be returned to the delivery office.

But there's nothing to say this wasn't a company laptop, in fact it sounds as if it was.

If either of you is in a union, get them involved.

If not, get onto the ACAS site and read up about suspensions etc.

Every chance you get, keep pointing out that the laptop was left on a desk when you weren't there, and that several people had access to the building while you (and your colleague) weren't there.