Think i'm going to get sacked.

[georgy700]

I work for a high street bank and have done for the past 6 years, I have worked my way up through the ranks and believe to be seen as a respected member of staff. Two and a half years ago I was working in a different branch and had a bit of a melt down.

 

I had a miscarriage and was really struggling at work with the targets and one day I did something which I am completely ashamed of. I set up an insurance policy for a customer without their permission and forged their signature.

 

Shortly after I went off sick and was diagnosed with depression. I am not using that as an excuse at all. So now 2 and a half years later this customer has logged a complaint stating they can't remember taking out the insurance, the company has investigated it and responded by telling the customer he has signed for it in X branch.

 

He has now obviously gone back and said he's never visited the branch and he hasn'tsigned it. To make matters worse, I have just found out i'm 8 weeks pregnant. I havn't had this mentioned to me yet but I know this will end up being a disciplinary. I know what I did was wrong but I have never done anything like it since and I can't sleep or eat with worry. I'm so scared of loosing this baby from the stress and I just wondered if anyone could offerany guidance.

Edited August 27, 2012 by citizenB
formatted

[becky2585]

Maybe your best bet is to resign to avoid all the stress? I'm sorry to say it, but I would be very suprised if you weren't sacked. That being the case, the best option might be to leave so it's not hanging over your head.

[honeybee13]

Hello and welcome to CAG.

 

I'm sorry you're going through it. I have to agree with Becky's advice, taking the stress of yourself is probably the right thing.

 

HB x

[georgy700]

I can't tell you how upset I am. I'm the main salary earner and we wouldn't be able to live on just my husbands income. I havn't even told him. I really don't know what to do as if i resign I am going to have to explain to everyone reasons why. Most of my friends are colleagues. I can't stop crying i'm so ashamed of myself i just want to dissapear.

[gazhodge1981]

Can I just ask how they could ever prove you signed it? And you can't remember the customer?

 

Really hard one to prove with what you have said.

Not that I'm saying it's right what you did but stress can do funny things sometimes, it's not worth you or your babies health.

[Sidewinder]

Just to add to the post above, how would it be traced back to you? Was there a tell-tale left on the customer's file, or did you earn commission on the sale for example?

[Hammy1962]

Well, I wouldn't worry or stress too much about it if I was you.

 

Many years ago, 2002ish, I had a complaint about Yorkshire Bank that centered around whether or not i had agreed to something with a signed declaration. I had not.

 

However it went to the FoS who believed the bank. This went to an appeal, which also found in the banks favour. Their mis-guided reasoning was, a bank employee would never falsely sign a declaration. So the customer, me, had to be lying!

 

The FoS is staffed by idiots and funded by the banks. The staff are on a par with Trading Standards Officers.

 

Don't worry, just deny it, they will believe you if you are convincing enough.

 

H

[lbruk]

Hi,

 

I'm so sorry to hear about your issues. Have they approached you with the issues yet?

 

This is going to be stressful, if you want to come clean, get it off your concioncence and stay in your work. There are a lot of mitigating circumstances here, but you have to be prepared to bring them up, talk and potentially fight them, all of which could be even more stressful.

[georgy700]

My main concern is the fact he didn't come into the branch and obviously they will have CCTV to prove this. The sale is linked back to me as its recorded on file. I just don't know whether to be honest and tell them or try and act dumb and say I honestly can't remember. It was a long time ago and the one thing they will question is how the customer has paid premiums every month for over 2 years and not noticed until now. I just can't cope with the stress, i feel im gonna have a breakdown. Do you really think I should stick this out or just throw in the towel? Your help is massively appreciated.

[lbruk]

We cant make that decision for you unfortunately. I would sit down with your husband and explain what has happened. Its going to be tough either way, I have always advised that honesty is the best policy.

[Hammy1962]

Stick it out, no stress, no breakdown. Not worth it.

[lbruk]

thats easy to say when you are no involved. Guilt is a major problem here, if they are feeling guilty now and no redress is happening, then what is it going to be like when confronted.

 

CCTV would not have been kept for 2 years, i believe companies can only hold it for 30 days.

[becky2585]

I guess that if the insurance forgery was target driven, it must be traceable back to you? if that's the case, I would imagine they'd investigate and question you over the product. You could say you don't remember (who would remember every policy?) but given the stress you're clearly under, I would imagine you'd struggle to lie your way out of it.

 

Are they likely to involve the police?

[Emmzzi]

I would be inclined myself to confess (I am rubbish at keeping secrets) but do so with the dates of miscarriage to hand, and an offer of making financial recompense. That is because I would be unable to sleep - I am a real worrier - and would want it over with. My blood pressure could not cope otherwise!

 

Depending on how mitigating your illness is seen as, I'd expect a final written warning or a demotion at best - they may also need to take guidance from your authorising body to see if you can continue to sell regulated products. (Assuming it was regulated.)

[gazhodge1981]

It really comes down to weather you can afford just to give up your job at this time?

In terms of proof it would be nearly impossible for them to prove as all they have is a customer complaint but the customer has paid it for 2 years and says something now. With claims like ppi in the media at the moment, it is fresh on the customers mind.

To be fair to you, would you normally remember selling insurance to every customer after 2 years?

What you did was wrong and a lot can happen in two years.

Just take a deep breath and don't get stressed, you might even find they never say anything.

[georgy700]

No, i don't remember every customer at all. The thing is I know what I did was wrong but i have never ever done anything like it since and I work really hard and have commited a lot to the company thats why I don't just want to give up. I can't afford to loose my job especially now i'm pregnant. I know honesty is the best policy, but if i say i can't remember do you think there is any chance I could keep my job?

[Emmzzi]

Are you asking people to condone lying?

 

Not sure that's a fair question to ask. I think the decision is entirely yours. No one knows your employer better than you do.

[papasmurf1cx]

georgy......... You committed a criminal offence. You know that and that is why you are worrying so.

 

If you were ever going to to be arrested for this, then a solicitor would say to you to say nothing, nothing at all and rest on your right to silence. The prosecution need to be able to prove their case and after so much time I doubt, sincerely doubt, that they will be able to do that unless you give them cause ie confess your guilt.

 

The management have duty to you as well as the customer. They cannot convict you or discipline you unless you give them cause to. It is fairly plausible that you say to them that you can't recall any of the detail and that they should look at the facts and evidence on the face of it ie if that was the customer signature then it must be the customer signature. If they say the customer states that it is not their signature, can they say that the customer was not in a hurry or feeling unwell that day or carrying something etc etc. Problem maybe if the customer prooves he was out of the country !!!

 

I would say have a memory loss for specifics, let them prove any fraud or discipline matter, don't admit to anything. Tough it out.

 

I would imagine that they will pay the customer his cash back plus interest and compensation and shelf any discipline for lack of evidence and reasonable doubt.

 

Stay honest and keep mouth shut !!

[honeybee13]

Hello there.

 

This thread has been discussed by the site team and we feel that it is not in georgy's interest to continue this discussion on a public thread. For this reason, the thread is being closed.

 

georgy, we feel you should seek specialist legal advice about this.

 

My best, HB