Suspended for of Breach of staff discount policy

[dj1234]

This may sound off topic a bit, but I was suspended with pay last weekend for 'breach of staff discount policy'

 

What happened was I was called in by the Duty Manager and told that I was to be suspended with pay pending an investigation about my staff discount. It was relating to the purchase of an laptop and return of a laptop.

 

They had given me the dates at which it had occurred but I didn't remember it at the time. So I just commented as I didn't remember.

I came home and thought about what was said, and the dates that the purchase and return were made and then it clicked in my mind.

 

What I think had happened, was that my uncle came into my store to purchase a laptop on the date mentioned, and i had offered my staff discount for the purchase as you would, he is family of course. I was there when the purchase was made, but he had obviously paid for it at the discounted price.

 

Nonetheless, my uncle is happy with the laptop.

 

However, I went to purchase the exact same laptop for my dad's birthday (on the day of his birthday) as it was a good offer from another store but I didn't have my staff discount with me at the time, so i paid the full amount by cash. Low and behold, my dad didn't want the laptop in the end lol. So I ended up returning it back onto my card in the store i work at a few days later at the full price that I paid.

Why I put the return back onto my card was because I knew the till wouldn't have the £300-400 at the beginning of the day, so my manager's told me that its ok to return it back onto the customer's card if thats easier for them.

 

I did this well within the 28 day refund policy period and that was the end of it and I threw away the receipt.

 

 

What I think they are looking into is that the fact that I had returned the the exact same laptop a few weeks later back onto my card, at the full price, thinking that i have 'abused' the staff discount which is not even the case! But as I do not have my receipt, what can i do to defend my case? I was told i was to have a hearing next week.

 

So I don't know how I will be able to prove that I didn't just 'allow my uncle to purchase a laptop at a discount, then I return it at the full price on my card' - cos that's how they see it right?!

 

My uncle still has his receipt, so what can i do? I don't have the one i used to purchase my one any more! Please help. I don't want to get sacked or dismissed or disciplined, I haven't done anything wrong or harmed anyone and its stressing me out that something will happen to me.

[dj1234]

I was suspended with pay last weekend for 'breach of staff discount policy'

 

What happened was I was called in by the Duty Manager and told that I was to be suspended with pay pending an investigation about my staff discount. It was relating to the purchase of an laptop and return of a laptop.

 

They had given me the dates at which it had occurred but I didn't remember it at the time. So I just commented as I didn't remember.

I came home and thought about what was said, and the dates that the purchase and return were made and then it clicked in my mind.

 

What I think had happened, was that my uncle came into my store to purchase a laptop on the date mentioned, and i had offered my staff discount for the purchase as you would, he is family of course. I was there when the purchase was made, but he had obviously paid for it at the discounted price.

 

Nonetheless, my uncle is happy with the laptop.

 

However, I went to purchase the exact same laptop for my dad's birthday (on the day of his birthday) as it was a good offer from another store but I didn't have my staff discount with me at the time, so i paid the full amount by cash. Low and behold, my dad didn't want the laptop in the end lol. So I ended up returning it back onto my card in the store i work at a few days later at the full price that I paid.

Why I put the return back onto my card was because I knew the till wouldn't have the £300-400 at the beginning of the day, so my manager's told me that its ok to return it back onto the customer's card if thats easier for them.

 

I did this well within the 28 day refund policy period and that was the end of it and I threw away the receipt.

 

 

What I think they are looking into is that the fact that I had returned the the exact same laptop a few weeks later back onto my card, at the full price, thinking that i have 'abused' the staff discount which is not even the case! But as I do not have my receipt, what can i do to defend my case? I was told i was to have a hearing next week.

 

So I don't know how I will be able to prove that I didn't just 'allow my uncle to purchase a laptop at a discount, then I return it at the full price on my card' - cos that's how they see it right?!

 

My uncle still has his receipt, so what can i do? I don't have the one i used to purchase my one any more! Please help. I don't want to get sacked or dismissed or disciplined, I haven't done anything wrong or harmed anyone and its stressing me out that something will happen to me.

[Sidewinder]

Have moved your post to it's own thread - that way it is likely to be read by more people.

 

You say that you bought it from another store? Within the same company? If so, then could they not use EPoS data to prove the purchase and verify your story?

 

You say that you bought it on offer from another store but then returned it for the full price at your own branch? Something definitely sounds strange here, and in the way that you have outlined it, I think I would probably be suspicious!

[stu007]

Hi

 

Did you actually fully explain to the store Manager the circumstances of the refund, and were then given the Managers approval to refund to your card as a normal customer?

 

OR

 

Did you assume that the Managers policy is just to refund to customer so although you are an Employee but purchased the item as a customer refunding the money yourself would be within policy?

 

What is the companies policy on refunds to employees?

[dj1234]

Hi, yes I did move it to my own thread.

 

And yes it was bought from within the same company.

 

Would they go through my history of staff discount as in the case of the person who originally posted this thread?

[dj1234]

Well the store manager has not been involved yet. It was a paid suspension meeting pending a further investigation.

 

I was told on a few occasions that by my line manager that in the event of such happening. It is ok to put the refund back onto the customer's card, if thats the easiest and the the best thing to do at the time.

As many people reading this may know, the tills would not contain alot of money during the beginning of the day, especially hundreds of pounds worth. But i did not process the refund myself, if thats what your asking. I had a colleague do it, and I was being a 'customer' off duty before my shift at the time.

 

The company's policy i think is to refund it the way the customer had paid, but in this situation. That would of been hard to do with hardly any money in the till?

[MARTIN3030]

2 threads merged

[stu007]

Hi

 

Remember yes you were told that by your line manager as a "CUSTOMER" but you were also an "EMPLOYEE" and put that refund through to your own bank account without speaking to or getting authorisation from the store manager.

 

You need to remember the way the Employeer is seeing this.

 

1. You already gave Staff Discount to a Family Member/used your staff discount for same laptop.

2. You then purchase same laptop at full price for a cash purchase.

3. You the return the same laptop to the store your employed in for a refund.

4. You then proceed as an Employee to put through your own refund through the companies equipment to your Card without discussing and getting the store managers authorisation.

 

can you see what the employers may be thinking?

Edited October 1, 2012 by stu007

[Emmzzi]

If you paid by credit card just take in the statements. If you laid by cash take in the cash withdrawal slip or statement showing you took out cash. Borrow uncle's laptop so they can see you still home one.

 

Job done.

[markl1987]

Do they not keep record of serial numbers of laptops in stock? You could show that the one returned was not the one that was purchased by your uncle

[dj1234]

If you paid by credit card just take in the statements. If you laid by cash take in the cash withdrawal slip or statement showing you took out cash. Borrow uncle's laptop so they can see you still home one.

 

Job done.

 

Theres no cash withdrawals, as I had the cash on me, I guess I had it at home. I never specifically went to withdraw the money if I already had it. But yes, as you have mentioned, I have the laptop at home, well my uncle's home which is like next door to me. How can I use that in my favour? He's got the receipt for it too.

Edited October 1, 2012 by dj1234

[Emmzzi]

check the policy allows you to buy for family members, show that you still have the item you got on discount?

[dj1234]

Do they not keep record of serial numbers of laptops in stock? You could show that the one returned was not the one that was purchased by your uncle

 

You are right, there are serial numbers and EAN's of the laptops. BUT, as the laptops are 'all the same' - as in the same model, the same make etc, they have the same EAN barcode if that makes sense? They just keep track of the stock they have, not each individual serial number of the item.

[dj1234]

check the policy allows you to buy for family members, show that you still have the item you got on discount?

 

I'll check, but I think it states they have to be in the same household, but how would the store know if they lived in the same household as me? He's my uncle right? Although If im honest, he lives a few doors away from my house. But technically I'm at his house every other day.

[Emmzzi]

um. So you have breached the policy. Just in a different way to the way they think you have.

 

Well, you can lie if you like but it's easy to get caught out. I'd fess up and expect a warning.

[markl1987]

You are right, there are serial numbers and EAN's of the laptops. BUT, as the laptops are 'all the same' - as in the same model, the same make etc, they have the same EAN barcode if that makes sense? They just keep track of the stock they have, not each individual serial number of the item.

 

Oh ok, was wondering if it was like mobile phones where they track the IMEI number against stocks

[dj1234]

um. So you have breached the policy. Just in a different way to the way they think you have.

 

Well, you can lie if you like but it's easy to get caught out. I'd fess up and expect a warning.

 

I will go and tell the truth that it was for a family member. and that member still has the product and receipt.

 

The one I returned, was unwanted by myself bought from another 'branch store' and returned onto my card as there was not hundreds of pounds in the till at the time of the transaction and my line manager has OK'd the fact that if that is the situation, it is at the discretion of the customer as to whether you would like it go back onto your card.

 

It was signed by another manager to ensure it was a valid return and that the item was behind the till and for what reason it was returned. If they were unsure of this, they should of not of signed for the refund to be clear?

 

I don't know if that's the right thing to say?

[dj1234]

I should of been clear about the refund, and how it was done. It was done like any normal refund is done.

 

check the product > Check the receipt > check its within the 28 days > ask if they would like a refund or exchange > scan the returned item and check it matches the price & description on the receipt > issue refund in form of how it was paid, but in this case it was OK'd to return it onto the card as It was at my discretion. I didn't mind having that. As long as I got the money the back.

 

So what would be your advice? To produce the item and unmarked receipt? Although they have just said I was to be suspended with pay pending an investigation to what they find.

 

Which I obviously know what they are going to find, but they don't know that I know that if that makes sense?

[dj1234]

And should I really be disciplined for this? Just out of interest. I can understand they wish to investigate it and they have the right too, as I can see how it looks. But if they know the facts, that I've outlined, should I be disciplined?

[Sidewinder]

Just to move the 'proof' thing along. Stores are required to complete a TV Licence registration when selling items capable of receiving TV broadcasts - would that not be the case here as that registration would be adequate proof of purchase?

 

Was this a laptop as in your first post, or an iPad?

[dj1234]

Sorry yes its a laptop, I'm just replying to you from my iPad at the moment

[dj1234]

But laptops do not require registration, I don't think they do. And as I never filled any form out, I don't see if that would be needed. The product I returned was unopened.

[Sidewinder]

OK - so was a Wireless telegraphy Act registration completed at the time of purchase of either device?

 

EDIT - crossed post. The Act is supposed to cover every device which is capable of receiving TV broadcast live or 'as live' including screening. I know my daughter had to fill in a form when she bought a laptop.

[dj1234]

There was no form that I filled out? I do know what you mean though, with TV's there was the TVLA licence agreement that we have when customers purchase TV's.

[Emmzzi]

I think your problem is 2 items the same, one for someone not resident with you. That'd be a minor disciplinary to me, may be a major to them. (What are the odds you need 2 identical laptops in the house? Looks most odd.) I don't think the sale and return to cc is as big a problem - is he problem the other way round where purchase and return is used as a cheap cash advance facility!

 

However we an only guess what the sanction wold be, we don't know how seriously your employer regards this. Some of the supermarkets have sacked for this. Some would give you a slap on the writ.

 

If you are given a policy you stick to the letter of it or yes, you can be disciplined.

 

All you can do now is sit back and fully cooperate with the investigation.