Suspended from work! Help

[k2013]

In November I was off work sick for just over 2 weeks, my employer kept making me feel bad about it and I kept trying to come in. I was very unwell and was in a lot of very heavy painkillers. While I was off I had the regional support come in to help out but it seems all he did was go through my stuff. While off sick I handed in my notice part due to child are issues and partly because I felt pushed out. I was given work to catch up on before my leaving date and was told only to do that. My job is financial so I have to deal with banking and money in the safe, the key is not allowed to be locked away ad has to stay with me in my bag and as in have nowhere to lock my bag this is under my desk. I went to the safe to get the mo ey for banking and it was gone I know it was there a few days before so I searched everywhere with the help of my colleague and in the safe there appeared another key which was never there before. The regional support came in and I reported it straight away and I was immediately suspended. 2 days later the police came to question me. After the questioning he said he was going to my employer to advise them there was no case as there was no proof. I had my interview which was done by the regional support who went through my things and I reported this too, I was asked to sign a statement which he typed however he left out a lot of info to protect himself as he audits me and has never noticed any problems. So I wrote a full statement to accom

[k2013]

Accompany this as it was not correct, I still haven't heard anything and my notice period is almost up. U haven't slept in weeks! If this is not sorted past my leaving date do they still have to pay me and do I have a case against them?

[Sidewinder]

Not entirely sure what the underlying question is here, but on the specific ones:-

 

Yes they have to pay you - for work completed and any outstanding holiday pay. A case for what exactly? From your post it would seem that you were suspected of wrongdoing, but it isn't clear what and were suspended. As I read it, you were suspended for 'losing' a key to the safe? Your post says that the key is supposed to 'stay with' you in your bag, but that you left the bag under your desk. When you say that it was 'there a few days before' it is not clear whether you left your bag under your desk for few days, or whether you had not checked the bag for the key for a few days but that the bag normally stays with you. To be honest it is a little difficult to actually build a picture of what has happened.

 

Are you still suspended?

 

What exactly were you suspended for?

 

Why were the police called if this was over simply a 'lost' key? Did any money also go missing through somebody else gaining possession of your key?

 

You say you signed a statement - for what? Was this an admission of some sort of guilt?

 

Could you give us some more details please which might make it easier to understand the situation?

[assisted blonde]

I read it that the money was missing so I am assuming that the OP is suspected of theft which is why they are suspended.

[k2013]

I have been suspended for the missing cheques and 150 in cash, they have said that I am the only person with access to the safe which is incorrect as the office is unsecure and people are in and out all day also the change in policy regarding where the key had to be kept was advised in a meeting with all staff present so everyone knew the key would be in my bag. I reported the missing money immediately and the extra key that appeared out of nowhere I was told there was only one key! The police have said that the company have no case as anyone could have done it

[k2013]

I had an interview where notes where taken and I was asked to come in the next day to sign the minutes to say I agreed a lot of what I said was taken out and changed to just yes no and maybe answers so I wrote at the bottom that it was incorrect and wrote a full statement of what happened.

[stu007]

Hi

 

Something you havent mentioned is whether their is any CCTV at or near the safe or in your office?

 

So the employer informed all staff at a meeting that you would hold the safe key at all times and it mus be in a bag - (But did they state at all where that bag must be kept at all times importantly was a Risk Assessment carried out by the employer? I would ask for a copy of that risk assessment).

 

I would also ask for a copy of the following:

 

* Copy of Safe handling of Money Policy and Procedure.

* Copy of Safe Security Policy and Procedure.

* Copy of Risk Assessment carried out as you hold and are responsible for the safe key.

* Copy of the companies last security assessment of the safe/safe key handling.

 

As you have pointed out suddenly another safe key appeared - (now was this an old looking key or did it look like it had recently been made at key cutters shop if so I would be asking the local key cutters if anyone from company came in to get a key cut)

[k2013]

There is no CCTV and the office is always open as people need to come to photocopy or fax various members of staff have keys to the office and as I had to go in and out of the safe a lot people could see exactly where the key was. There was no risk assessment carried out and the other key looked new. All my keys were taken from me before I was escorted from the premises.

[stu007]

Hi

 

Well bear that in mind NO CCTV, office always open with numerous staff having keys to access that office.

 

I would approach this angle by them not carrying out a Risk Assessment, has their been any office security assement carried out due to the location of the safe and the safes keyholder responsibilities. (bear in mind if you aint been given any information or training on your responsibilities as a Safe Key Holder who is responsible)

 

Now this is one to ask for as well:

 

* Copy of the companies Policy and Procedures for the Safe Key Holders.

* Copy of your Training Record showing you were trained in the Safe Handling Policy and Procedure and your Responsibilities as a Safe Key Holder.

 

As for the second safe key appearing well has the company actually changed the Safe Lock

[k2013]

I have had no training for the safe procedure and policy. So I have a case against them for unfair treatment?

[stu007]

Hi

 

If you have had No training in the Safe Policy and Procedures, remember you are ultimatley a Key Holder for the Safe and Should have been properly trained in those procedure and your responsibilities as a "Safe Key Holder" and this bring into question why the company did not also carry out a Risk Assessment also.

 

IMO I would as for copies of the documents I have stated and see what they provide you with especially your training record, risk assessment etc

[k2013]

I was told I would hear in a few days and I said I was going to see cab due to unfair treatment, it has now been over a week and I have heard nothing

[stu007]

Hi

 

Forgot to add the web link to ACAS for you please have a look as good info their and an advice line: www.acas.org.uk/

[Pusillanimous]

Somebody has stolen the money and has tried to "point the finger" at you. You need to ask, "Who benefitted?" "Do I have any enemies?" "Has anyone shown a lot of interest around my desk in the last few weeks" "Do I have a hunch who it might have been?" "Is someone after my job?".

 

Then again, it could have been a random passerby who knew the key was in your bag and how much was in the safe. If a "One off", might be difficult to ever catch them.

[k2013]

I have a Hunch it was the person who interviewed me. I have no enemy's at work that I know of the only thing I can think is this all goes back to my sickness and the same person going through all my belongings.

[Pusillanimous]

Who is doing your job now?

[k2013]

The person who interviewed me and a trainer

[Pusillanimous]

Very suspicious! You need to established whether this interviewer had a witness with them when he or she accessed the safe in your absence. If not, you need to ask pressing questions as to why not.