accused of stealing!!

gags89

hi guys,

right yesterday in my local newsagents where i recently beat the recession and got a job(part-time to fund my college adventures!)

everything was grand i have worked in shops before so fit in quite well.
this particular store is part of a group so is run like a tight ship which is fine fair duece to them for running a successful business!


anyways, we have assigned tills and yesterday being saturday lotto was quite busy too(lotto is a shared till)

apparantly my the tills combined were down about 36 euro (from what i remember)

which is a disgrace i know. ive worked in a shop of some sort handling cash since i was 16 so am pretty quick with my head and just general cash handling!

and the manager calls me into the office...hes just counted to tills and wants a explanation(he counts them in back store room, no cameras so its my word against his and to be honest i didnt think he liked me much for whatevr reason i think it was because i was a local lad who knew alot of people who came into the shop. two of my mates came in earlier that day and he accused me of giving them free stuff..which in a job i need to rent with cameras everywhere i just couldnt take the chance!

anways so in the office the manager keeps asking for an explanation, i, literally shocked try to think of any difficult customers where maybe i was distracted and gave the wrong change...none.

he then goes to the cameras..one shot ( not within the half hour slot he claims this till shortage has happened) where after serving somebody close the till and put my hand in my pocket!he claims thats when i took it...im like...waaat?there was nothing in my pockets all day he didnt ask me to empty my pockets and says i will not be paid until the investigation (which apparantlly takes months has been completed.hand on heart i did not take that money but now in the space of a day my job is gone and money aint flowing in nomore...what rights do i have? i hadnt signed any contracts or anyting outlining rules besides a h&s docket. is he just trying to get rid of me? can i sue for loss of income?

i kno its just a poxy newsagents job but its thr principal of the thing...being accused of stealing like....

Elmo

I think your entitled to your pay regardless of weather you took the money or not. He can't refuse to pay you can he? They could deduct the 36euro until the investigation is complete.

wmpdd3

Ok first of al there is a process that this shop must go through.

1. they must hold an investigation with the option of a witness for you and them.

2. the findings of the investigation must be documented and discussed to the extent that both parties are happy also with the option of a witness for you and them.

3. the outcome must be delivered and a form of disciplinary procedure implemented.

4.You have the right to a appeal of the decision with if possible a different set of people representing the business.

This is the way it should go but of course it often doesn't,

As you haven't been there long, they could just let you go and hope you don't bring it further, you wouldn't have a great case.

A reasonable time for an investigation is usually 1 week.

In which case you would have to be suspended with pay as it is an investigation and you are innocent until proven guilty.

If you had been employed over 1 year and was a member of a union you would be in the strongest position.

As you have no contract saying you can be let go within your probationary period without reason (usual condition of employment) you are kinda better off.

My advice is to call in to the citizens advice centre with a full list of what has happened including times dates who was present.

And yes when this is all sorted out I do think you should stay working in the business, your misfortue could be covering for another member of staffs mistakes or stealing!

Hope this helps

gags89

ye that really does thanks man, i know without having any sort of contract signed im not in a strong position but if im taking the fall for someone else or whatever i kinda do wna kick up a massive fuss over this because i know eventully afterwards il come out on top.


il check out some of the rights websites and see what i can find out and send a few emails to claims.ie and then i think from past experience they forward your form onto a solicitors office and they ring you and tell you what they think....

any further advice is appreciated too!

wmpdd3

You don't have a case until you have lost your job for that incident. Even then as I said the most that would happen would be slap on wrist for co. and appolgy for you.

NERA are good for advice.

Don't go in guns blazing to your employer just tell them you appreciate your job and cannot afford to damage your good name in this current climate.

Your current points are:
you were not offered a witness for the meeting / investigation
You cannot be suspended without pay as no misconduct has been proven to happen.
You are entitled to a proper investigation in a reasonable time frame set out form the start.