Help! Suspended for gross misconduct - theft from supermarket

[Sally9364]

Hi. I work for a well known supermarket chain (sainsburys) and yesterday was suspended on suspicion of theft.

 

Basically we all break the rules a little in our store. I work on checkouts and often move change and monies about between tills when we aren’t really supposed to. I’m not the only one and the managers have observe this without saying anything.

 

We also sometimes shortcut on refunds and if the screen freezes then I have to process the refund after the customer has gone.

 

Th me issue is that there’s been till losses recently and earlier in the week there was a till loss of £100. When the managers then looked at the CCTV I was seen removing coins and notes from the till and placing some in my pocket as I normally do to carry money around the shop without the view of the customers. I did go straight to another till and put some in but as normally happens I had customers needing me and duties to fulfil and the money remained in my pocket until I put it in another till at some point. I can’t tenner where.

 

During a shift we are constantly having to shuffle change about so it goes here there and everywhere but at the end of the week the tills usually balance and it’s no problem. But..apparently there was till loss last week and like I said during a spot check this one particular till was down and I was the only one seen going into it.

 

So yesterday I was called into the office and questioned then told I was suspended with full pay pending an investigation into potential theft. I was told I’d receive a letter through the post with a date to come in for a meeting. There were two managers and I felt ambushed and very uncomfortable during this. I held my hands up to the fact I’d broken the rules moving money about but denied stealing/keeping any. Which I do deny. I have never taken any money home with me.

 

I was escorted out of the store immediately and now I am sick with worry. Yes it looks bad. Yes I only have my word that it went into another till at some point. Yes the evidence is enough to reasonably suspect me of theft. But I didn’t do it. I was so upset I emailed my resignation straight away and sent it off in writing today along with my keys. Even if they were to let me keep my job, everyone in the store would know and I simply can’t continue to work there now.

 

I cannot eat or sleep for worrying that the police will be knocking or I’ll end up with a criminal record, taken to court or go to prison. I am a single mum of 4 children with 2 still at home and feel I have lost everything! In my resignation letter I asked the store manager to please drop the matter as I am no longer in employment and suffer with anxiety and depression also. I apologised for my misconduct in working processes and denied again any theft.

 

I just don’t know what to do and keep crying. I cannot afford a legal representative and am so scared the police are going to knock anytime. Has anyone else been through this or can advise me on what will happen. I imagine the amount is a few hundred quid at most over the past few weeks where the tills have been down. I wasn’t even aware they were until they told me!

Edited November 30, 2018 by honeybee13
Paras

[honeybee13]

Hello and welcome to CAG. I expect people will be along later with advice for you.

 

In the meantime, try not to overthink this. Take it a stage at a time.

 

Best, HB

[king12345]

Police would not get involved, so stop worrying.

You made a gross mistake resigning: they mow think that you stole the money.

Whenever there's any level of suspicion of dishonesty or theft, it is standard procedure to be suspended on full pay.

By resigning you have refused to be paid while being at home.

I know it's worrying when it happens, but never jump the gun.

They would have probably done you for not following till procedures and that could have ended in dismissal, but as it's custom practice, maybe it wouldn't have.

You'll never know, so now stop worrying and find another job.

With 4 children you need it.

And next time you have any problem come here first.

[AndyOrch]

Thread moved to the appropriate forum...please continue to post here to your thread.

 

Regards

 

Andy

[Sally9364]

**update**

I have just had 2 letter hand posted through my door dated yesterday. One states I have been suspended for suspicion of gross misconduct and one gives me the date of the meeting with a manager and a note taker which will take place tomorrow! It states I can have a colleague or Union Representative but then also states I am not allowed to set foot in store before the meeting or discuss this with any other colleagues. How am I supposed to contact the union rep then who works in bakery and who’s number I do not have? I have been given 24 hours to prepare with no representative.

 

The letter also states that I moved cash between said till and and another till and that some was “concealed” on my person with the intention of stealing.

 

 

Where do I stand with this??

[honeybee13]

Can you ask the union regional office how to contact your rep? Maybe they could also give you some initial advice about whether this is enough notice of the meeting.

 

HB

[king12345]

As you are in the union, call them and get them involved.

Maybe there's a chance they can find a way to withdraw your resignation.

[Emmzzi]

FYI I have seen this on another forum, with the same user name, where the OP admitted to taking money over a number of occasions. I feel it's important to know this in order to give best advice.

[king12345]

If same person there's no hope for anything.

[JasJules]

24 hours is not sufficient notice to hold a hearing, though in any event as a former employee you are not required to attend in any event.

 

That said I would email them and explain the above and also note your explanation as to the general moving of monies and name the individuals who can confirm this.

[Sally9364]

24 hours is not sufficient notice to hold a hearing, though in any event as a former employee you are not required to attend in any event.

 

That said I would email them and explain the above and also note your explanation as to the general moving of monies and name the individuals who can confirm this.

 

Thank you. I think that sounds like the best plan myself. I think there’s a few ways they have breached their policies themselves in the way they have handled this situation so I do not think it’s best I attend. I feel as though my resignation email was received and they hand posted the letters as quickly as possible thereafter.

[sgtbush]

FYI I have seen this on another forum, with the same user name, where the OP admitted to taking money over a number of occasions. I feel it's important to know this in order to give best advice.

 

 

 

 

Could the original poster confirm or deny please.

If true then its a summery dismissal and youl lose all monies owed, ie holday pay and knowing the major supermarkets they will hand over all evidence to the police and ultimately the cps for consideration of the criminal charge of theft from an employer

[Sally9364]

No not me! Where have you seen this????

If what is true?

[Sally9364]

Could you tell me where else this is posted? I wouldn’t want anyone to think that this is me and also a bit of a worry someone is impersonating me? Jesus. There’s a couple of ****ty managers but hoping they wouldn’t stoop that low? Could it just be coincidence? I’ve seen 3 other posts very similar to mine...

[Will Goodfellow]

I imagine the amount is a few hundred quid at most over the past few weeks where the tills have been down.

 

This strike me as an odd statement to make. Why would you "imagine" the tills have been down a few hundred quid over the past few weeks?

 

It is also quite a considerable sum, £100 a week over the past few weeks in one store, the same amount which you have been accused of stealing this week.

 

There is lots of detail in your story up until which till you put the money in, then you forget any detail. You also state that you have never taken money home with you, that has a ring of truth but you could spend it before getting home.

 

Sorry but it does sound very suspicious.

[Sally9364]

They don’t make an enquiry or spot checks unless it’s over £100. I have no idea how long the tills have been down. The last time I checked with my manager was 3 weeks ago when the tills were up. But thanks for your opinion.

[Will Goodfellow]

The police aren't going to knock at any time so you shouldn't worry about that. The manager would tell you before reporting it to the police, and if it is reported, the police will likely phone and invite you to an interview. Unless you have other convictions, you aren't going to prison either.

[Emmzzi]

No not me! Where have you seen this????

If what is true?

 

Well, theres only 3 main places people post for employment advice, so one of the other two, and the story was identical except in one there was guilt and in the other there was denial. Even down to the single mum unable to sleep.

 

I get why you might want to try out different stories to test what will land best. I can tell you there's still holes in this you can drive a truck through. And if you want good advice, you need to be honest.

[Emmzzi]

oh.. and penny arcade is really a bad forum to use for this kind of advice...

[sgtbush]

The police aren't going to knock at any time so you shouldn't worry about that. The manager would tell you before reporting it to the police, and if it is reported, the police will likely phone and invite you to an interview. Unless you have other convictions, you aren't going to prison either.

 

Really? I have routinely seen police lead staff members out the store in handcuffs

[king12345]

Do you live in Texas sgtbush?

[Will Goodfellow]

Really? I have routinely seen police lead staff members out the store in handcuffs

 

She's not in the store, she is at home expecting the police to knock on the door.

[ericsbrother]

assuming innocence of the accusations made, there are clear protocols in place and you have ignored them. saying everyone else does it isnt a defence. You will need to work a damned sight harder to shake off allegations of impropriety because of this as the burden of proof will have shifted considerably even if there isnt enough evidnce to show you stole anything.

 

When I ran a bar I sacked all of my staff once for failure to follow the rules when money started to go missing. 18 months later, after several stocktakes and audits I could prove they had all abused their position and 2 ended up in prison for theft.

 

So I think you need to decide hwo you want to go forward with this. admitting breaching protocols and accepting whatever sanctions that leads to will help, as will actually identifying flaws in their systems ( you raised one about safely moving money). There will be considerable CCTV footage to be gone through so if there is somehting you cnat properly account for then you will need to consider what they might think. It is unlikely you are the only one being investigated but it isnt a shotgun approach either.

Edited December 3, 2018 by honeybee13
Paras