So...I've been suspended from work. PLEASE HELP!!

jobbingmusician

It does seem to me that you need to view the video evidence. This might help to jog your memory - I mean this in the best possible way as I think it is quite possible that you either did something which was MISCONSTRUED as eating from the bag, or that you ate from the bag totally absent-mindedly.

I honestly don't think that any employer would involve the police, by the way!

Takeaway_Addict

PlymouthMaid wrote: »

Oh dear, It all sounds incredibly heavy handed by your employer even if you did eat something. I can almost imagine that if a bag of something was left by the till you could have have almost absent-mindedly picked at it.

theft is theft and its the lack of trust that now comes from the OP's actions if she did do it.

Not really a police matter but it is a dismissal matter.

leanansidhe

Like previous days, I don't remember every single thing that happened that day or every thing I did. I barely remember the customers I served, or who I worked with that afternoon. I only remember the errands I ran. The only thing I can draw from my memory is an image of a bag of food (resembling the one they saw on the cctv) sitting by my side of the till at one point and that's it. I can't even remember who left the bag there, whether it was me or someone else.

And by the way, I have had a total of four employers in my lifetime, and none have accused me of stealing. I come in, do my job, and leave. Being a thief is not part of my personality and this is where my problem lies. I agree it is plausible I absentmindedly picked something from the bag and ate it (I had a lot to do that afternoon after all), and if I was being accused of not keeping company policies in mind (like the company term) while working, I would agree, I have a lot of things to remember at work after all. But I don't remember doing that. I have had COUNTLESS opportunities to steal, I am mainly the person dealing with customers and the tills whenever I'm there. So, its the fact that I'm accused of THEFT that I cannot stand. I honestly don't want a mark on my record or future references, something that does not reflect my true character. So I am asking for ways to prevent or counter this. Thanks for your replies everyone.

whitewing

I think your parents would probably be able to offer you some good advice on this (by which I mean parents in general, with their life experience).

leanansidhe

I really wish I could, but I don't think that would be a good idea. I cringe when I think of what their reactions would be. I've already given them bad news with my final grades earlier in the year (due to the problems I had) and now there is this issue as well. I don't know if I should consult my local CAB or not

Kynthia

ACAS might give you better advice than the CAB.

FBaby

Do you even know what it is that you supposedly ate? Surely we are not talking of a bag of crisps that was open and you only having one?

What it sounds to me is that they want to get rid of you because they are concerned about your unreliability with sickness and they are using this to justify it rather than sacking you for your sickness, even though they can do so without a reason.

I think you should apologies and the rest and hope they don't dismiss you, but if that is the ultimate purpose for the disciplinary, at least negotiate with them that they give you a reference without referring to the incident.

ShadowPuma

CAB will give you little on this matter.

Get a copy of the CCTV and refresh your memory.

Pricivius

The OP has not mentioned what sort of shop they work in, but in my experience, eating on shift in front of customers is simply not permitted. Obviously drinking your own water is usually allowed, but picking at food, whether it's your own or shop food is another matter. So... is eating generally allowed? If not, then I would suggest that your inability to remember is not going to help you as your answer should have been "no, I know eating is not permitted. I would not have eaten anything whilst on shift."

You are at an early stage in the process, so sit tight and see what they do next. If it looks as though they will dismiss for this, you have the option to resign before they do. Ask what their reference policy is - a lot of companies these days are just giving dates and role info only. If this is the case, then it's no big deal.

Ivrytwr3

I think someone is telling porkie pies here. Also someone mentioned "absent-mindedly picked at it". If i was at work and i noticed an open bag of food where i was working, the last thing i would do is start eating from it!!

You would remember seeing an open bag of food and whether you ate from it, i know i would. I think there is a little more to this story.

However, if you really are unsure, then ask to see the evidence, ask to see the company policy, but unfortunately as others have already mentioned, due to you lack of time there, they are well within their rights to let you go.