Disciplinary hearing for theft in retail

mynameisjonas

I'm currently suspended  on full pay from a large retail supermarket for "stealing a pouch of tobacco without paying" pending a disciplinary hearing I'm waiting for the date in a letter. I'm in absolute bits shaking. It was a genuine mistake I meant to pay out it down walked off picked it up and took it. What will happen to me. I'm scared I'll go to prison

mynameisjonas

And to add it does look bad on camera but it was an honest lack in concentration. I'm highly stressed about many things in my life atm

Socajam

I would just go into the hearing and be very honest and tell the truth.
Either they are going to believe you or not.  I doubt you will be going to prison for something like this.
I think most people can tell when someone is being honest.
It's easy for me to say not to sweat too much over it, because right now there are far more serious things to worry about.
Just remember this is out of your control and worrying too much about it is not going to help.  If it will helps, start thinking where you see or would like your life to be  if the disciplinary goes against you - job wise/education/retraining etc.

sharpe106

Nobody would get sent to prison just for stealing a packet of tobacco. I doubt the police would even be that intrested in one pouch of tobacco.

cymruchris

The outcome will depend on a wide range of factors - from what you've stated it's a single isolated incident - however bear in mind that most national retailers employ a range of security measures, and usually have a regional security/loss prevention/profit protection manager (I've been one myself) - If it's exactly as you say it is, it will depend on the company's procedure for dealing with a theft of this value. Most likely it would lead to a dismissal, unless you could demonstrate extenuating circumstances as to why it had happened. (In some cases it might result in a final written warning). If however there's more to it than meets the eye - and it was a pouch of tobacco this week, and something else last week, and something else the week before - the outcome could be potentially more serious. It will depend on:

A - What you've actually done

B - What evidence the company has to support their claim of theft

Have you had your investigatory interview - and now are just waiting for the outcome? Or have you been suspended pending investigation, and they haven't yet sat down formally to discuss it with you?

mynameisjonas

I went to work and had a sit down with boss and note taker and went through cctv and then was suspended on full pay until I get a letter about the next interview. 

TELLIT01

You won't be going to prison for taking one pouch of tobacco.  Presumably management will be getting together to discuss your situation.  The outcome could be anything between being told to be more careful in future to dismissal for gross misconduct.

lincroft1710

When did you realise you hadn't paid for it?

cymruchris

mynameisjonas said:

I went to work and had a sit down with boss and note taker and went through cctv and then was suspended on full pay until I get a letter about the next interview. 

So you’ve had the investigatory interview with note taker - and unless there’s further evidence to consider - the next one will be the communication of decision. From experience - and to be very upfront - it’ll likely lead to dismissal. If it’s a singular item as you’ve mentioned , and there’s no previous misdemeanours that come to light during their investigation, it’ll be a simple, straightforward dismissal, and it’ll be time to go find another job. The likelihood of police involvement at this level is very close to zero. (As I say, unless anything else comes to light). It’s a silly mistake to have made, and I’m sure whatever the outcome you’ll have learnt from it. I remember once having to dismiss someone for stealing a mars bar. It seemed trivial - but it was company policy - theft was theft. Some companies operate a version of civil recovery for thefts - you may want to find out if yours does. It can be common for a £10 item to cost a couple of hundred pounds in a civil case due to the costs added - Cost of interview - contribution to security systems - and the item itself.  Most retailers that use the system though instigate it for large losses. 

Steve_L

Look at it this way:if they'd dismiss you for a genuine mistake, would you want to work for them anyway?