Suspended due to Gross Misconduct? Help?!

Penster12

Recently I have been suspended due to 'Gross Misconduct' from sainsburys due to me giving out unearned nectar points for wrong bag reuse? Anyway, i'm thinking that its because I give people a bag point for not using one of our bags when I should only be giving out points if they bring their own bag in to reuse? But I don't see the difference in someone bringing their own shopping bag to get a point compared to me giving them a point for someone putting their shopping in their handbag?
Its currently being investigated and I will be contacted for a meeting, but don't know when. I have not been told any information by my manager about this accusation so am just guessing that this is the reason because its the only thing I can think of. Im also on full pay until further notice but im scared that they could fire me over this?
I think its a bit extreme just over some bag points which equal 1p but maybe its what they have to do?
Can anyone help?

Southend1

Are you a member of USDAW? If so, contact your shop steward or the member helpline immediately and they will be able to provide you with representation for the disciplinary hearing (if it isn't dropped after investigation).

InsideInsurance

Do you have the exact wording of the scheme/ training materials?

Have you been warned about it in the past?

Assuming no prior warnings then it seems a reasonable "mistake" that you thought people reusing any bag type was counted and not simply carrier bags

Torry_Quine

How long have you worked there?

fruitedeli

Penster12 wrote: »

Recently I have been suspended due to 'Gross Misconduct' from sainsburys due to me giving out unearned nectar points for wrong bag reuse? Anyway, i'm thinking that its because I give people a bag point for not using one of our bags when I should only be giving out points if they bring their own bag in to reuse? But I don't see the difference in someone bringing their own shopping bag to get a point compared to me giving them a point for someone putting their shopping in their handbag?
Its currently being investigated and I will be contacted for a meeting, but don't know when. I have not been told any information by my manager about this accusation so am just guessing that this is the reason because its the only thing I can think of. Im also on full pay until further notice but im scared that they could fire me over this?
I think its a bit extreme just over some bag points which equal 1p but maybe its what they have to do?
Can anyone help?

I've had a look at Sainsbury's website, under the sustainable and innovative packaging part, within the responsibility section. It just says bag reuse. The wording is ambiguous so whether the customer is brings their handbag or vegetable bag or carrier bag with them from home, it's still a bag reuse. Anything that can be categorised as a 'bag' under the English language can be awarded a nectar point. Strictly speaking you can't get any warnings for this, not unless it's been expressly stated by your manager you can only give nectar points for carrier bags.

~Beanie~

Penster12 wrote: »

I have not been told any information by my manager about this accusation so am just guessing that this is the reason because its the only thing I can think of. Im also on full pay until further notice but im scared that they could fire me over this?

You need to find out exactly why they have suspended you, there is no point guessing, it could for a different reason entirely. Did they not give you any clue?

fruitedeli

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Do you have the exact wording of the scheme/ training materials?

Have you been warned about it in the past?

Assuming no prior warnings then it seems a reasonable "mistake" that you thought people reusing any bag type was counted and not simply carrier bags

Well it's not a mistake. Sainsbury's chose not to explain what is a bag so anything that can be held with your hand and holds items is a bag.

melysion

Seems like a crazy thing to be accused of GM for.

Penster12

I haven't been warned in the past but I do this every time I work there and they have only written down specific dates on the letter I received and think It may have something to do with me giving a fellow employee a bag point for her putting her shopping in her handbag as I have been informed by another employee that she is the only one that has been asked to give a statement and he has seen her showing a receipt to the duty manager?
Also I have only worked there for 7 months.
I don't want to contact them and ask them what the exact reason is as I was told not to contact any other employees that may be involved

ohreally

You should have been informed of the reason for the suspension.

They may have breached their own procedure by acting this way.

Penster12

In the letter I got it says:
Repeated serious breaches of company policy that you allocated extra points for bag use when not required or necessary resulting in points gained but unearned.