Help please. Husband suspended from work. **Updated**

BigPhil

emilyteach1 wrote: »

This is where the employers have got it wrong, though.

Again, I don't condone stealing of any value/nature, but it's wrong for the company to assume he's done it before, or could potentially do it again. That's what reasonable punishment is for; to apprehend the mistake you've made and to ensure that you don't do it again.

If you go to court for stealing a chocolate bar, your sentence isn't determined by some weird extrapolation of what you and other thieves could have potentially done in the past, or could do again in the future.

It isn't about whether the OP's husband has sone it before or is likely to do so again. Many hold the attitude that as it is ONLY a 40p bag of crisps they will turn a blind eye and it is an insignificant loss, whereas staff and security would chase somebody across the car park if they tried to steal a TV. The emphasis has shifted to change staff attitudes towards smaller cases with the message that the odd 40p thefts still add up to a staggering amount nationally, and that if every store saved just one 40p bag of crisps (or a sandwich, or a handful of grapes whilst shopping) then it improves profitability, wage increases and stock control bonuses for the business. That may indicate why the manager who witnessed this event blew the whistle rather than had a quiet word, or why parents who give their children a sandwich or packet of biscuits to eat to keep them quiet whilst sitting in the trolley are far more likely to be challenged (as many of those empty packets get dumped before getting to the checkout rather than scanned and paid for). In a time of economic decline, sales are harder to come by, so stock losses (and energy savings etc) are being pushed hard to increase profitability.

The OP's husband would seem to have been caught up in the current emphasis on that type of loss - that was the point I was making rather than a discussion over the likelihood of further theft. A 40p theft, whilst it isn't going to end up in court, will most probably be treated in the same way as a £40 theft in order to send a tough message to other staff.

Zazen999

kezcon wrote: »

To be honest I think this is stupid, I understand whatever you steel eg a penny sweet or a HD TV its still stealing, BUT what a tool that manager is for grassing your OH up, I work in a call centre and if a team leader see's you doin something wrong they wont tell me straight away they will go to my manager which really annoys me, anyway back to the subject, most people steal from work, eg on friday I had a pen in my pocket which I took from work, I didnt mean it, but hey the employer would think its stealing, or I may use there phone without telling my teamleader I am stealing there but its petty, its like most people break the law everyday eg not going over the 30 speed limit we all do it. your employers have better things todo he will get a slap on the wrist and thats it, good luck anyways!!

How do you know he's a 'tool'?

The company might have a huge issue with theft, and have lost all sorts and the management be on the look out for the culprits; the OP's husband might be taking as many packets as he wanted - nobody knows the real background, only this actual incident where he was caught.

Again, taking a pen home by mistake is totally different from taking company stock and consuming it.

Googlewhacker

kezcon wrote: »

To be honest I think this is stupid, I understand whatever you steel eg a penny sweet or a HD TV its still stealing, BUT what a tool that manager is for grassing your OH up, I work in a call centre and if a team leader see's you doin something wrong they wont tell me straight away they will go to my manager which really annoys me, anyway back to the subject, most people steal from work, eg on friday I had a pen in my pocket which I took from work, I didnt mean it, but hey the employer would think its stealing, or I may use there phone without telling my teamleader I am stealing there but its petty, its like most people break the law everyday eg not going over the 30 speed limit we all do it. your employers have better things todo he will get a slap on the wrist and thats it, good luck anyways!!

As explained before the intention is key in this, you didn't intend to take the pen home with you but he OP's OH did intend to take that packet of crisps and this is where the differance lies.

The manager would have been negligent in his own job if he had not reported it. The manager did the right thing.

Skillz2

The whole taking a pen home from work argument is in now way comparable. Cant believe it has been mentioned so many times in this thread. Employers do tend to take toughest possible line when comes to theft in the work place as most theft goes unpunished.

KiKi

Hi OP

Just thought I might offer a perspective on the meeting your husband will be having; I used to hear disciplinaries in a previous role.

If it were me making the hearing decision, I'd want to see in front of me someone very contrite, apologetic, admitting what happened and who was apologising profusely for a very very silly mistake that was made. I'd want him to say that he completely understands the company position, and that he understands the embarrassment caused, and that it will never, ever happen again. He takes full responsibility etc.

If he appeared like that, I'd probably give a written warning rather than dismissal (assuming no other previous record), and let him know we'll be keeping an eye on his behaviour.

I do not condone theft, either. However, I do agree with the opinion that companies will often see a difference between someone stealing cash, and using company-owned products for your own purposes (making personal calls on a business mobile, using a company envelope for a personal letter, eating biscuits that were purchased for a meeting you weren't involved in). In my experience, you are more likely to get a rap on the knuckles for printing out something personal on a company printer than you are if you steal money. I guess it will depend on the company - and your husband's behaviour at the meeting!

Make sure you update us, won't you?

KiKi

CFC

Most distribution companies will sack on this kind of event as it is usually in the company handbook as GM and treated as such. It may well have an impact on his ability to get another job due to duff references, however an agency might take him on as often they are not quite so fussy (not sure about driving agencies though, just distribution labour agencies I know are not fussy at all). When he has worked for them a bit, change agencies and presto two new references without having to mention previous employer who dismissed.

eschaton

Didn't read the last page of posts as too much to read.....

Your husband stole crisps - theft is theft, no matter the value

Suspended on full pay so the incident has now cost the company more than 40p. Manager at the store didn't need to say anything at the time, it was his stock being stole than he is responsible for, I would have done the same. End of day I would think; driver here stealing my stock, putting my job at risk.

In reality, probably not the first time your husband has been stealing, just the first time they have been caught, it's not uncommon for drivers to steal, catching them is the problem.

If he is not sacked for GM, then I will be most surprised.

Spirit_2

You have had good advice to pass on to your OH about being contrite. I agree however with the point made that distribution companies may have a "zero tolerance" approach to such a petty theft, even when apologised for profusely.

I once discmissed a long standing well liked individual for a "small theft" ......we could no longer Trust them and their role meant they had lots of opportunities for 'small thefts'. It transpired they had taken advantage over some time, and my sadness at dismissing them had been misplaced... it was not a one off but simply the first time they had been caught.

Good luck. I am sorry he has put you in this position, and hope for your sake you get a good outcome.

puligan

I was in a similar position many, many, years ago. I admitted it. HOW BLOODY STUPID!!! Because I admitted it they sacked me for Gross Misconduct and called the police, who prosecuted me and I then had a criminal record. I had worked for them for 15 years, had an unblemished record, had never done it before (I know they can't be sure on these matters) and it was low value (a flannel). The guy needs good representation and fast as he too has admitted it. I wish you all the best for his hearing. He could try appealing if the result is bad. I once worked for a firm who had cctv footage of an HGV driver stealing fuel. They filmed him on 10 occassions so as to be sure his sacking was straightforward. Don't know what they did wrong procedurally but he got his job back and compensation.

MrsE_2

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Stealing is wrong. But let's have a sense of proportion here. Probably more than one of the people in the office where this is being dealt with will have a works pen or pencil at home.

The value of the item is trivial. That does not make it less wrong. But I am surprised at the number of people who seem to think it should be the end of the OP's OH's job.

In biblical law terms, it is arguable as to whether this is theft if he consumed them on the spot.

I brought my boss back two pint glasses full of his pens that had left (on my ear).

OP - could he say it was a one off, he had forgot his lunch & was starving & didn't have time too stop?