Finding a job following dismissal for gross misconduct

lakes17

Shazza122 wrote: »

Well they know other people do it and they are still in jobs....

How do you know this? Do you have evidence? All disciplinary sanctions should be fair and equitable. Could it be they had a better defence than you or they had union representation. You'd be amazed at how many cases are more successful due to unions involvement. Or could it be that you were in a more senior role than them and you should have been setting an example to your staff?

Shazza122

I know because people told me...they have not had any disciplinary action as far as I know....I was honest about what I had done that's why I wS suspended etc.

Malin

Shazza, I am very sorry to read your story. Personally I am surprised that what you did went as far as this(seeing as you didn't actually use the companies money, but your own). I do hope the appeal will get you somewhere.

I used to interview volunteers, and due to the nature of the work, probably about 10% of everyone I interviewed had criminal convictions. I used to discuss this in detail with them after the inital interview, and honesty was definitely the best approach. It was only very serious convictions or if they had lied/withheld information that we gave them a no straight away.

From reading your posts I get the feeling that you really want to work, that you would work very hard and that you have skills. My advice would probably be to let agencies/potential employers see this first, and then at interview stage talk about the GM when it feels appropriate to do so.

The very best of luck to you

Shazza122

Thank you Malin.

I'm desperate to get back working....anything to stop this feeling of utter worthlessness I wake up to every morning.....

Shazza122

Hoping to hear tomorrow re temp job...please everyone keep your fingers crossed!!!

Shazza122

Oh and another interview tomorrow afternoon....

lakes17

Shazza122 wrote: »

I know because people told me...they have not had any disciplinary action as far as I know....I was honest about what I had done that's why I wS suspended etc.

Then you need to use this as part of your appeal. Reading through your threads in particular at the beginning I get the feeling you didn't really defend yourself very well during the disciplinary hearing, which is understandable as it is very nerve racking to do it yourself instead of a union representative. The management aren't going to say you are an exemplary employee etc!! And the panel who are going to make a decision on your future can only do it based on the evidence presented during the hearing. You need to stress your exemplary 4 year record, a number of promotions, the fact that you owned up and have been fully co-operative with the investigation. You also need to inform them that you weren't aware of that it was a disciplinary offence to allow someone else use your business credit card. And finally it is only since your case has come to light that it has been found out that no one else in the department were aware that it was a disciplinary offence to do what you did. Explain your remorse and that you have learned from it and ask for them on that basis to re-consider a lesser sanction.

lakes17

Shazza122 wrote: »

Thank you Malin.

I'm desperate to get back working....anything to stop this feeling of utter worthlessness I wake up to every morning.....

You need to start thinking of the long term as well as the short term future. Have you thought of doing voluntary work in the interim? This will help you get back into a routine and rebuild your confidence. And more importantly it will slowly put a distance between your last job as it will gradually disappear from any importance. The interviewer will see that you have put all of that behind you and you are an exemplary volunteer worker. You can still look for paid employment whilst you are doing this. And you never know a paid post can sometimes come up at the place you are volunteering which will give you an edge over all the other candidates!!

Shazza122

I have emailed a couple of places re volunteering but not had any response.

I'll keep looking and see if there is anything I could get involved in.

Thanks Lakes.

Shazza122

Oh I did raise the issue of others using their card in my appeal letter....

I don't think I was in any state to defend myself at the meetings as I was just so distraught that everything had got to that point...it was all so surreal tbh