Help! Partner accused of theft - wrongfully?

Danielled2405

That's what I think! Yes they were on the shop floor, in an open box, if I saw this at work I would think they were for us to use aswell!!

prowla

That doesn't comply with the legal definition of theft (ie. to permanently deprive the owner of the item), and that fact that he took it specifically to use on the job because his similar one was broken and he assumed that was a replacement would have any such accusation laughed out of court!

I would be speaking to HR too.

AP007

I'd ask also why a box of sharp items were left open on the shop floor and what is a child picked one up?!!

ValHaller

I agree with the consensus here. Plus, for it to be recorded on his file they need to conduct an investigation and a disciplinary hearing.

Personally, I would let it lie for a week or 2 to see what the manager does.

[Deleted User]

ValHaller wrote: »

I agree with the consensus here. Plus, for it to be recorded on his file they need to conduct an investigation and a disciplinary hearing.

Personally, I would let it lie for a week or 2 to see what the manager does.

Do they? What if they were to write down what happened and place that on file? That surely would only be a record of the conversation. :cool:

What's the point of asking the "what if's". Does asking this question help the situation of the employee? I think not.

ValHaller

assj wrote: »

Do they? What if they were to write down what happened and place that on file? That surely would only be a record of the conversation. :cool:

What's the point of asking the "what if's". Does asking this question help the situation of the employee? I think not.

Puzzled by the what ifs line.

Sure they could write down what happened. Theft in itself is not so much a what happened as an interpretation of actions. They would need to e careful writing down theft without good cause. It would be a bit of a loose cannon in the file which could bite them as much as it bites OP if for example they send a reference based on theft being mentioned in the file and they have not done even an investigation.

tommytynan123

He was then called into the office by the manager
How did the manager know he had taken one to use.??

I'm assuming the OP has someone between him and the manager as supervisor so that person should be involved.

for her to reply "if you need one take one"
Points at a power trip to me

As for the theft on record - well - I wouldn't be sitting back waiting to see what happened.:mad:
There has been no investigation and if theft is suspected, which in a store environment is gross misconduct and could lead to dismissal, then the said worker should have been suspended on full pay during the investigation.

I would attack it now through the grievance procedure including TUs if poss.

Apparently this is still going to be documented on his file as theft. I am absolutely disgusted. Can they do this?
He hasn't even removed the said item (which is only useful for work purposes) from the store.
NO

gb12345

tommytynan123 wrote: »

for her to reply "if you need one take one"
Points at a power trip to me

There is obviously another tool in the store and that one is in the manager's office.

breton_2

1) Accused for theft is way out of line, should talk to HR.
2) Open box of shape cutters in the shop floor, sounds like work hazard.

maninthestreet

"If you need one, take one" - well, he did just that and was accused of theft!
Theft would certainly fall into the category of gross misconduct.