I have been suspended

I_am_so_stupid

I shouldn't have posted in the first place

fluffy70

oh dear. I know you say you havent been with your union for long, but I would suggest that you call them anyway as they offer free legal advice if nothing else and if you have sympathetic branch officer they may refer you for that if nothing else - and most likely offer you a cup of tea, biscuits and some advice - you may even find that although you have admitted that you were stupid and that you didn't pay the money back to what one can only assume was a vulnerable person if they require a support worker (no this wasn't a very good move but you made a poor decision), well the union may be willing to accompany you to any disciplinary etc to try to get the best case scenario for you. This could be anything from a dismissal but with a reference, to a monitoring period of your work and behaviour although I would probably suggest that the dismissal with a standard reference would be your best case scenario. Out of interest, are you working for a large support agency or one of the smaller private ones? It can make the difference in how they handle your disciplinary and any ensuing action.

anamenottaken

No, I wouldn't expect it to be easier to find a job if you resign (especially for similar work). The reference would most likely say "resigned whilst under investigation for gross misconduct".

Treehugged

It's gross misconduct and you should be sacked. Borrowing money from the customers you support is insane.

Taadaa

I think you should be more concerned about being prosecuted.

If you do resign, you had better make arrangements to repay the full amount asap with interest.

Who was this person? Elderly? Mental health issues? Bloody disgraceful.

fluffy70

Treehugged wrote: »

It's gross misconduct and you should be sacked. Borrowing money from the customers you support is insane.

Very sympathetic treehugged. :T

Perhaps the OP got themselves into a situation where they didn't know where to turn???

ohreally

Resigning may not necessarily halt the disciplinary.

The employer has a duty to protect the vulnerable, it’s not about you cutting your losses and trying the path of least resistance.

Be prepared for police involvement and a possible prosecution.

I_am_so_stupid wrote: »

My work has asked me to put a statement together and get it to them within the next couple of days

Contact your union but don't expect sympathy. You would be advised not to supply a statement until you have taken union advice as any statement is likely to be used to build the case against you.


You have breached several of the codes of practice (of which you should be well aware)

2.1 Being honest and trustworthy
2.6 Declare issues that might create conflict of interest
3 All of para 3 - protection from harm (financial abuse)
5.1 Abuse service users
5.2 Exploit service users

http://www.gscc.org.uk/cmsFiles/CodesofPracticeforSocialCareWorkers.pdf

I_am_so_stupid wrote: »

Hi as the name suggests I have done a stupid thing, I have been suspended from work today as a Support Worker. A few months ago and on a couple of occasions I borrowed some money from one of the customers I support, I have every intention of repaying but to be fair had forgotten about it because I have since moved house and had other things to deal with. The customer has told her brother who has reported me so resulting in my suspension. This only happened this morning and when I attended the meeting to be told I was being suspended, I denied it because I was in shock and didn't know what I was thinking. My work has asked me to put a statement together and get it to them within the next couple of days, I am now thinking clearly and know I should admit it. I am in a union but only joined recently, their website says you have to be with them 4 weeks before they can help, the first payment isn't due to them until 1st September so don't think I will qualify for their help. Am I best to send an e-mail confessing all and tender my resignation to save them the time and hassle of an investigation/disciplinary procedure? I don't want to lose my job but know this will result in being dismissed for gross misconduct, surely it will be easier for me to find other employment if I have resigned as opposed to being dismissed.

Uncertain

I would imagine that if you admit this or if your employer has a reasonable belief that it is true you will be dismissed for gross misconduct.

You say that you denied it at the meeting this morning? If you now admit it you are adding lying to your employer to the list of "offences".

Obviously admitting your mistake is the honourable thing to do. Note that to dismiss you your employer doesn't need proof beyond a reasonable doubt. They simply need to conduct a proper investigation and hold a reasonable belief that you were guilty of misconduct.

Realistically there is little difference between "dismissed for gross misconduct" and "resigned following an allegation of gross misconduct". From a purely financial point of view you would be better to string it out for as long as possible as you will still be accruing pay and holiday.

Treehugged

fluffy70 wrote: »

Very sympathetic treehugged. :T

Perhaps the OP got themselves into a situation where they didn't know where to turn???

I know it's unsympathetic but there are professional boundaries and she crossed them. Not just once but on several occasions.

She should have turned to her employers not the vulnerable users she supports.

DCFC79

Treehugged wrote: »

It's gross misconduct and you should be sacked. Borrowing money from the customers you support is insane.

Can't understand why someone would put they're job in jeopardy for borrowing some money from a customer.

I_am_so_stupid

Thanks Fluffy70, it's a relatively small company, well technically it's a not for profit organisation.