Suspended pending dismissal for Gross Misconduct **UPDATE**

123helpme123

Hello

Long time poster with new user name here. I've done something stupid.

Around 2 months ago, I falsyfied a document at work. I'd genuinely made a mistake, but rather than just admitting it, I covered it up. A formal investigation took place surrounding what had happened as it was all very suspicious. As expected. I admitted what I had done yesterday in the investigation and explained that I lnow it was wrong.

It was purely a rush *oh no!!* decision, although not trying to make excuses, I was under a hell of a lot of pressure at the time, alongside this I was being told the new boss wanted to axe the department I was in as she wanted to have my team work regionally rather than centrally.

The investigation suddenly got very serious and I've admitted it. I've worked for company for 3 1/2 years.

I've been suspended pending a disciplinary. I've never done anything like this before (and would never again!) and I am truly sorry for what I have done, not just for the consequences upon myself but also for the time and money it's taken the company the 'investigate'. I wanted to admit it straight away, but other things went wrong in my department and I was secretly praying it would all go away.

I've been totally upfront and honest with my bosses now, although understand its highly likely ill be dismissed at a disciplinary.

What do I do next? I'm incredibly remorseful and I've learnt a awful lesson the hard way and I know I only have myself to blame. I didn't think when I did it really, it was only after when it felt too late to say something.

So I'm accepting I will be dismissed for gross misconduct for falsifying records.

Do I start applying for jobs now? I'm due to be suspended until mid-next week. What do I say if I have an interview inbetween now and the disciplinary? Should I just wait and see what happens?

My OH luckily can afford to pay our bills and food each month, if I struggle to find a job we can sell our car and scrape by. We don't have any savings as my OH was out of work for a long while with unpaid sickness (broken legs).

I would appreciate if people could not attack me for what I've done. I know it's stupid, I know I've brought it on myself. I'm ashamed of what I did.

But life will go on whatever happens, and I need to have an income.

Do I put was dismissed on my CV? At what point do I explain what's happened? I can't help but feel if I put it clearly on my CV ill never even get an interview.

I can't claim any sort of benefits (and quite rightly too!!), so I literally will be happy to take any sort of work for any sort of pay.

Any advice appreciated.

FBaby

What are the consequences of that falsification? Does it become a legal matter or is just a question of trust or a financial loss?

If it is the first, I assume they might have no choice to dismiss you, however, if it is the second and maybe the third depending on the amount, you might be in a very small chance. In that case, you need to tell them exactly what you've said here. That it was a stupid impulsive decision done under pressure, that you fully recognise that it was a massive error, that you are deeply sorry, that you've never done anything like this before and know for a fact you wouldn't again because you have learnt your lesson.

As to the future if you are dismissed, maybe what you can do is strike a deal with your current employer about reference (if your boss really liked you and is really sorry to see you go, they might agree not to mention it unless asked specifically). Otherwise, it's a case of keeping quiet unless the matter comes up. Don't ever lie, so if you asked if you have ever been dismissed, admit you have, but again, explain how much a lesson it's been.

123helpme123

Hi and thanks for your reply.

It's not going to turn into a legal matter, it's purely loss of trust and the money spent on internal managers investigating.

I've come clean about everything, including why it happened and I've talked about how sorry I am. I just didn't realise how much of a big deal it was at the time. But I didn't really think about consequences I just did it. I've been entirely honest as explained it is the first and last time I would ever do anything like this.

I'm sincerely hoping I have a stern warning and everything just under dismissal, but honestly, I think ill be sacked.

How do I approach the subject of references? Do I agree what will happen at the disciplinary meeting where I'm sacked? Or do I contact them afterwards and speak to my line manager (who has even text me to say he understands why it happens and hopes in ok etc)?

On a completely different note, I have an interview for somewhere else tomorrow on a 12 month maternity contract (wanted to leave due to the workload so I've been applying everywhere anyway!). Should I cancel the interview as I don't know what the outcome of this meeting will be or do I go and explain? It seems like I would just be wasting there and my time?

Affynity

When they investigate the misconduct, as well as assessing the impact it had, they will review your work to see if it was habitual, sudden or progressive.
If it was habitual (whether intentional or not) they will dismiss you.
If it was sudden and isolated, and the impact was minimal, they probably won't dismiss you.
If it was sudden and isolated, with a high impact, they might dismiss you.
If it was progressive, they will probably investigate further to ascertain why your working standard diminished. This could go either way, depending on how they view their role in applying undue stress to you.

FBaby makes a good point about asking your employer to give you a good reference. Seeing as you will be showing sincere contrition and regret, you would like them to reference you for your overall work ethic and not one mistake.

Personally, I don't put my reasons for leaving roles on my C.V anyway. You're best saving that for interviews and you can downplay leaving a job against your will without lying.
Just say your contract wasn't renewed. It's only a problem if you're asked directly and you lie.

starrystarry

I've nothing helpful to add, just wanted to wish you well for the future. We all make mistakes, hopefully you can put this behind you and move forward.

123helpme123

Thanks for the advice. It truly has been the only thing I've ever done like this and am considered a very honest and trustworthy employee - wel - have been prior to this.

I sincerely hope they give me a massive slap on the wrists and can see I want to make a mends.

In regards to an interview I have between now an the disciplinary hearing, should I still go for the interview or should I cancel it until I know what's happening?

paulineb_2

Are you taking representation with you to the meeting, regardless of whether you were at fault I still wouldnt go into a meeting alone.

All I can say is speaking as someone who has been sacked in the past, once for complaining about my working conditions and once totally out of the blue, just told basically come in and be sacked, this may be no consolation to you, but there is life after getting dismissed from a job.

I didnt take a reference from the first employer, I wouldnt have wanted one anyway after the way I was treated, I was honest about what happened, gave other references and I had work within a fortnight of the decision being made.

Its a horrible process to have to go through, stressful. But as I said above, even if you are at fault and you think you are totally in the wrong, I would still take someone else in with you particularly if the worst does happen and you want to try and negotiate a future reference.

123helpme123

I'm not in a union and in truth, I'm so mortified and embarrassed that I wouldn't want friends / colleagues coming in and knowing what I've done. I've humiliated myself.

I'm prepared to be sacked. I don't need someone to hold my hand while they do it, I know what's coming so I'm not particularly scared. I'm confident I can speak for myself about the reasons as to why, but I don't think it would reflect well if I had someone else in with me trying to fight my corner. There isn't anything to fight about. I did it, they decide the punishment. That's it.

Thanks for the advice and giving me some hope xx

bluenoseam

I'll also say there's hope after a dismissal - although it's not exactly easy (in an already tough labour market) it's all about how you handle it and learn from the experience. You may find they might offer you the opportunity to resign before being fired with an agreed reference, but that's looking from here like a best case scenario.

Unless you're directly asked as to why you left your previous job it's not worth mentioning as it's the kiss of death for the majority of employers! As someone who's had a not too dissimilar past it's a very infuriating & annoying moment when you see that "reason for leaving" type question as you know if you're 100% truthful, it's the express route to the bin. Good thing is you appear to have learned from the mistake & genuinely show remorse, but that's not going to cut mustard with employers if you've done something like this.

Fingers crossed it works out for you and if it doesn't I hope you find a new job quickly, but I'd be prepared for the fact it essentially rules out a few things from here on out.

an9i77

Most employers will put the reason for leaving on a reference, but not all. I've worked for some employers that just put name, job title, dates worked from/to. So I'd go for the other job you don't know for sure that this will haunt you.

Also, if you're sure you're going to get dismissed and wanted to leave anyway, could you offer to resign? Your employer doesn't have to accept it, but they may take this option for you to go quietly. That way they get to exit you from the business without risk, and you get to go with a cleanish reference. It's worthing asking them this if you're sure there's absolutely no chance of a reprieve.

paulineb_2

An employer doesnt have to provide an employee with a reference, its not a legal requirement, just to be aware.