I've made the biggest mistake of my life

[Kmsteve]

I stole £200 pounds worth of money from my work.

 

I have an investigative meeting on Tuesday and am at a loss over what to do. I know I am in the wrong and I am aware that the company uses civil recovery to recover any loss from theft. However, will they have me arrested and charged or take me to court. I can't afford even a caution against my name due to my future career.

 

Please help, I haven't slept a wink since I was given the letter and suspended for gross misconduct.

 

Thanks.

Edited July 26, 2015 by honeybee13
Removing employer's name.

[honeybee13]

Hello and welcome to CAG.

 

We're not here to judge you and I hope the forum guys will be along to give you advice. It may be difficult to advise prior to your meeting. Are there any mitigating circumstances for why you stole the money please?

 

In the interim, I'm removing the name of your employer because we don't need to know it and it's best to keep this anonymous.

 

My best, HB

[Kmsteve]

Thank you.

 

I am in severe debt and it was a moment of madness. It is my first time in 6 years of working that I have ever done something so low.

[honeybee13]

Thank you for that.

 

What sort of proof do they have please?

 

HB

[Kmsteve]

All they have are allegations to conduct an investigation. I presume they will use CCTV as proof, but they may be relying on me to confess.

[silverfox1961]

Hi and welcome to CAG.

I'm afraid your career with the retailer will be over. Did they get the money back?

 

They may involve the police or leave it for the civil recovery bods to chase you. It's a case of wait and see.

 

I think it is far too early to speculate what may happen but if RLP (or one of the others) contact you, we can assist.

[Kmsteve]

I leave on Friday for another job which is why I am worried if this situation will affect it.

 

I am going to beg them to allow me to pay it back.

[unclebulgaria67]

Tactically it may help if there is reason not to be at work i.e sickness. You are starting a new job on Friday, so at some point you will need your P45 from your current employer, but i don't think they can withhold it.

 

Of course they can deal with it in your absence, but if you are not at work for the meeting, you cannot confirm or deny it. The disciplinary process will not be completed with your input.

[Kmsteve]

If I don't attend the investigative meeting will that not force them to involve the police?

[unclebulgaria67]

If I don't attend the investigative meeting will that not force them to involve the police?

 

Don't know. Some retailers won't involve Police for staff thefts, unless it is a sizeable amount.

[Kmsteve]

Don't know. Some retailers won't involve Police for staff thefts, unless it is a sizeable amount.

 

Would £200 be considered a sizable amount for a large supermarket chain?

[unclebulgaria67]

Would £200 be considered a sizable amount for a large supermarket chain?

 

Not really.

 

Would there be CCTV or witness to the theft or just missing money ?

[Kmsteve]

Not really.

 

Would there be CCTV or witness to the theft or just missing money ?

 

There is a CCTV camera beside the place it took place. I am unsure whether it would have caught the act/

[unclebulgaria67]

There is a CCTV camera beside the place it took place. I am unsure whether it would have caught the act/

 

Your choice. Face up to it, see what evidence they have. Admit it and ask for forgiveness, explaining moment of weakness due to financial position. They are unlikely to forgive. You will be sacked and this will on their records for employment references.

 

Or you decide to not take part in the disciplinary process and see what happens.

 

If you admit the theft they could involve the Police or if you don't admit it as you could not attend the meeting, they could involve the Police, if they have CCTV evidence.

 

If there was likely to be a positive response from the employers for admitting the theft, i would say it was the right thing to do. Honesty is normally best. I am just doubting that the supermarket will respond in an understanding way.

[SabreSheep]

OK

 

Im not here to judge but I have represented someone in similar situation before but that person was able to prove extenuating circumstances that meant I was able to argue mitigating circumstances. That person kept their job. They were VERY lucky.

 

Ultimately, it will vastly help you if you can make sure the money is returned BEFORE the disciplinary.

 

When you committed the act were you aware you would get caught?

Did you look at the Camera when you committed the act?

Have you been diagnosed with any psychological illness?

Have you received any medical intervention eg Counseling? IF so can you produce proof of this.

How long have you worked for your employer?

How is your record with the company? Is it Spotless?

Are you a member of the Union?

When is the Disciplinary?

 

I think you need to expect that with this company there is no turning back. BUT you might with extenuating circumstances be able to request the "Right to resign" and a factual reference. That would be my objective in this situation.

Edited July 26, 2015 by SabreSheep
Addition

[Kmsteve]

The investigation is on Tuesday and I presume the disciplinary will be the Friday. Shall I offer to return the money on Tuesday?

 

Will I be arrested. That is all I am worried about.

[unclebulgaria67]

The investigation is on Tuesday and I presume the disciplinary will be the Friday. Shall I offer to return the money on Tuesday?

 

Will I be arrested. That is all I am worried about.

 

We cannot answer that. That would be up to the manager of the store.

 

Previous idea of paying back the money and saying sorry for a moment of madness due to problems may be the less risky way forward.

[Kmsteve]

We cannot answer that. That would be up to the manager of the store.

 

Previous idea of paying back the money and saying sorry for a moment of madness due to problems may be the less risky way forward.

 

Thanks for the reply. I plan on returning the money through deductions from my last wage and hoping they listen to my pleads.

 

I shall update you tomorrow.

[dx100uk]

Get ndl onboard too to help with your debts too

That will show you are addressing the underlining problem.

 

Retailer of that size don't bother with small amounts like yours

 

They will probably forget about if you show serious remorse

Might be good to write a letter too first

 

I know of 3 people that got away with no probe at all for a far greater sum

 

Dx

[Kmsteve]

Get ndl onboard too to help with your debts too

That will show you are addressing the underlining problem.

 

Retailer of that size don't bother with small amounts like yours

 

They will probably forget about if you show serious remorse

Might be good to write a letter too first

 

I know of 3 people that got away with no probe at all for a far greater sum

 

Dx

 

 

I am talking to NDL Scotland, hopefully they can really help me.

 

A letter of apology?

 

I am really panicking now.

 

Thanks.

[Kmsteve]

Update.

 

Went for my investigative meeting and done everything you all suggested.

 

 

I have a disciplinary on Thursday with the regional manager.

I presume it will be an instant dismissal and since it's the regional manager, the police will likely be called.

 

 

However, I dont know yet. Civil recovery in Scotland can be done through the courts or privately. I am praying for the latter.

 

Should I ask for a trade union representative?

[SabreSheep]

Always have a rep with you.

[Kmsteve]

I have received my letter inviting me to the disciplinary meeting on Thursday.

 

It says, 'the allegations are serious and if found true may lead to summary dismissal'.

 

Will that be as far as it goes? I know I will have to return the stolen money, but if the letter says summary dismissal may happen is that all that can happen? Can the employer still contact the police and have me arrested for theft.

 

I also asked how I can return the money and the person conducting the meeting today said it would be discussed at the disciplinary.

[silverfox1961]

Until Thursday, you won't know what they will do. They may contact the police however they may show compassion if you can show how sorry you are and prepared to make good the theft.

I cannot speak for them so just guessing at the moment

[ericsbrother]

Whether you are arrested will depend on several things such as the company's attitude to theft,

the method employed in stealing the money

and how you respond to their questioning.

 

 

then, the police may get involved and they will then consider the evidence and the liklihood of a conviction

and pass the matter on to the CPS who will decide whether there is a reasonable prospect of conviction

and whether the prosecution is in the public interest.

 

 

Now, confessing will make the prosecution easier but less likely to be in the public interest, especially if restitution by way of returning the money is offered.

 

Mitigation, explaining your circumstances and showing remorse will all help presuade the company that it doesnt need to take the matter further.