Dismissed for sharing a prescription

chloe15

I have been sacked from my job I love after taking a sealed bottle of a painkiller from a colleague, I have had this before and had an appointment booked at the doctors 2 hours later where my doc had said he would prescribe this same drug to me. This is following 2 slipped discs in my back which were complete agony. I dragged myself to work the following day, a colleague drove me in as I thought the stronger painkillers might make me drowsy. I only didn't call in sick so as not to let them down! Later that day I was sent home in agony, the following day the same colleague who brought me in went to my boss and expressed concern I had taken a drug which wasn't mine! Very long story short can they sack me for this? Currently going through the appeals process and plan to go to an IT, any advice hugely appreciated, my entire life has been ruined, I had a fantastic career.

Tigsteroonie

Clarification - Do you mean that you stole from a colleague, and the item that you stole was a painkiller issued on prescription to that person (ie a controlled drug)?

chloe15

No sorry nothing like that! This colleague had spine problems also and when he saw me doubled over in agony he went and got this painkiller for me from home as he knew I'd had it before and wanted to help me. They've dismissed him also. With me they've listed lots of gross misconduct including reporting for work whilst unfit etc. I was not unfit I was in a lot of pain and very tired, they are even using the fact I got a lift to work against me saying I knew I was unfit which is rubbish, I was following the advice on the pack which says don't drive until you know the effects!

DUTR

chloe15 wrote: »

I have been sacked from my job I love after taking a sealed bottle of a painkiller from a colleague, I have had this before and had an appointment booked at the doctors 2 hours later where my doc had said he would prescribe this same drug to me. This is following 2 slipped discs in my back which were complete agony. I dragged myself to work the following day, a colleague drove me in as I thought the stronger painkillers might make me drowsy. I only didn't call in sick so as not to let them down! Later that day I was sent home in agony, the following day the same colleague who brought me in went to my boss and expressed concern I had taken a drug which wasn't mine! Very long story short can they sack me for this? Currently going through the appeals process and plan to go to an IT, any advice hugely appreciated, my entire life has been ruined, I had a fantastic career.

From what you have posted you have stolen from a colleague, how can you know before consultation, what the Dr is going to prescribe to you? If it is a repeat prescription, then you don't have to book in for that. The colleague sounds as if they have reported you for theft.

tomtontom

How long have you worked there, and what industry are you in, are you customer facing? Was the drug prescription only, was it a controlled drug?

DUTR

chloe15 wrote: »

No sorry nothing like that! This colleague had spine problems also and when he saw me doubled over in agony he went and got this painkiller for me from home as he knew I'd had it before and wanted to help me. They've dismissed him also. With me they've listed lots of gross misconduct including reporting for work whilst unfit etc. I was not unfit I was in a lot of pain and very tired, they are even using the fact I got a lift to work against me saying I knew I was unfit which is rubbish, I was following the advice on the pack which says don't drive until you know the effects!

Because the colleague may not be licecensed to prescribe controlled drugs to you,

chloe15

I've been there 6 years and had a fantastic career, I managed a group of people, not customer facing, sorry I've never posted here before, for clarity I had been given the painkiller oramorph before and the doctor said to me for months if the pain got worse he would prescribe it, my colleague gave it me to help because I was in so much pain and to save me a bit of money, I've spent £100s on prescriptions! Oramorph is not controlled, it's the weakest one 10mg, I've had every other painkiller over the last 12 months, I didn't break any rules at all intentionally and have a fantastic record

specialboy

To be honest I can't see what business it is of the employer as long as the OP wasn't under the influence of any drug that would affect their work.

hcb42

this is odd. why would they sack you for accepting prescription drugs from a colleague?

Unwise, but otherwise, I fail to see what it has to do with the co?

chloe15

Thank you that's what I've been saying! It all boils down to that a new manager started a year ago when my back problems began, he didn't see all the positives is done, just a slightly poor attendance record cos of my back, I provided all MRI scans and proof of what prescriptions I was on, my colleague had 8 months off cos he broke his back so it's just an easy way to get rid of us both! I'm disgusted with them, I've just gone through my first appeal, have the 2nd one in the next couple of weeks then need to get a solicitor, I honestly did nothing wrong and I'm devastated

Gingernutty

This painkiller?

If it was opiate based (eg. morphine, dihydrocodeine), it was a controlled drug.

You and your colleague have not only committed an offence under the Medicines Act of 1968 (that's any prescription drug), but also the Controlled Drugs Act of 1971.

Dismissal is harsh, but you and your colleague broke the law and this may have a bearing on your "fantastic career".

You will probably have to take advice from someone with specialist knowledge if "reporting for work whilst unfit" is an offence where you work.