Sacked for Gross Misconduct - reference

sct73

Ive been dismissed for gross misconduct, suspected theft. I know that employers can and do give this information out on a reference. However if a colleague other than my direct line manager was to give me a reference, and although not lying, was to be economical with the truth. Could that get them into trouble???

I have been in this job for the last eight years so am a bit stuck for what to do for references. My direct line manager has already said that they would have to mention it on a reference if they were asked and personnel would, if they were asked which is why I have approached my colleague. I know its my fault that I am in this situation but need to get myself back out into the industry and back working.

Please help

SarEl

If caught it will get them sacked, pure and simple. They have no authority to write a reference on behalf of your employer and to lie about your reason for leaving - and being economical with the truth is lying.

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Edit - and if you get a job and they get caught, it will get you both sacked.

LadyMissA

sct73 wrote: »

Ive been dismissed for gross misconduct, suspected theft. I know that employers can and do give this information out on a reference. However if a colleague other than my direct line manager was to give me a reference, and although not lying, was to be economical with the truth. Could that get them into trouble???

I have been in this job for the last eight years so am a bit stuck for what to do for references. My direct line manager has already said that they would have to mention it on a reference if they were asked and personnel would, if they were asked which is why I have approached my colleague. I know its my fault that I am in this situation but need to get myself back out into the industry and back working.

Please help

suspected theft? they have proof?

sct73

yeah they have proof and I admitted what I did, I took an item and then returned it. But the fact that I had taken it in the first instance was the deciding factor

dandelionclock30

A lot of employers will go straight to HR for the reference, yes if your friend gave you a reference on behalf of the company they could get sacked. if your friend gave you a personal reference they would have to stipulate that they were just a coworker.If they lied and said that they were a line manager again they could be sacked. Its hard to get away with this now as places have tightened up on this.
Can you go back to them and try to re negotiate with them?
Otherwize if they wont shift, you will have to put your side of the story first to a new employer.
The other option is to lie and say that you have been self employed for the last 8 years and fill in a p46.
Other option is self employment.

Reverbe

sct73 wrote: »

yeah they have proof and I admitted what I did, I took an item and then returned it. But the fact that I had taken it in the first instance was the deciding factor

Sorry but expecting them to give you a good reference to get you another job when you have been caught stealing is a bit rich..You have done it to yourself I'm afraid by virtue of your actions. They should be entitled to be honest to save any other future employers becoming possible victims of your over active hands. There are a LOT of unemployed honest hardworking folk who would be grateful for a job and what makes you think lying on top of your theft does anything other than compound and confirm your unsuitability for employment.

redcard

Reverbe wrote: »

Sorry but expecting them to give you a good reference to get you another job when you have been caught stealing is a bit rich..You have done it to yourself I'm afraid by virtue of your actions. They should be entitled to be honest to save any other future employers becoming possible victims of your over active hands. There are a LOT of unemployed honest hardworking folk who would be grateful for a job and what makes you think lying on top of your theft does anything other than compound and confirm your unsuitability for employment.

I think he understands that, and is hardly expecting a good reference.

There's also a lot of dishonest, lazy folk who don't want a job, and who are totally unsuitable for any employment.

Just for balance.

sct73

Exactly my point Redcard, I know what I have done is wrong, I have done everything I can to put it right, and I have paid the price by losing my job. I have two options as far as I can see

1 - Work my socks off to get myself a new job
2 - Go and claim for whatever I can get, hardship payments, jobseekers, housing benefit, council tax etc.

I have never signed on in my life and have never claimed any benefits. I dont want to start now, I want to get back out and get myself working again.

Hammyman

The only reference your work colleague can give you without risking dropping them into it is a personal one.

Torry_Quine

Also remember that any prospective employer will ask why the last job ended and I would say that honesty and contrition is best.

dandelionclock30

At the end of the day everybody makes mistakes and needs to earn a living.The guy has come on here asking for advice not to be judged! He took something and put it back,he hasnt committed murder.You never know what situation you may find yourselves in, life is not always that straightforward!