Can I be Fired?

LegacyUser

I work in a relatively well known venue and we occasionally have custom from small-time celebrities. There was an incident recently where one of these "celebrities" was got into some legal trouble over an incident while in the club. I stupidly told one of my relatives who tweeted about it, not realising that its sensitive information. She mentioned that her relative who was employed at the bar had told her the information, though didn't name names.
My boss then sent out a group text to all staff (its a very casually run bar) saying the name of my relative and asking if any of us knows who this person is, to get them to delete the tweet. Also included was a stern reminder of our confidentiality policy. I'm now sick with worry that I'm going to be fired, though I'm not sure if they've figured out which staff member the person is related to, to point the finger. I'm absolutely sick with worry and I don't know what to do. Do I own up and apologise or say nothing? Or can I even get in trouble over this seeing as I didn't actually say anything myself? I have a very good rapport with management and have never been in any kind of trouble before. I feel totally lost, I really like this job, I need this job, and I don't want to lose it over this. I don't know if I should apologise or if they've even realised that I was the one who blabbed.
Does anyone have any advice on what to do or what could potentially happen? I'm at a loss here

Neyite

OP there is a work problems forum which also permits anonymous posting. Do you want us to move it there for you?

ted1

Say nothing, get it deleted you learnt a lesson.

If your manager wanted more action he would have said so. He probably knows is the relative a facebook friend?

gugleguy

OP. How long have you worked here. What's your relationship like with the head honcho there. Ask for one to one asap. And then apologise profusely. I dunno what more.

Tokyo

The manager hasn't gone hunting for someone's head, and doesn't sound like he wants to either. I'd consider that a lucky break. Get the relative to delete the tweet immediately, if you haven't already done so, and chalk it off to experience. And leave the work secrets at work next time.

Zen65

Sick with Worry wrote: »

I feel totally lost, I really like this job, I need this job, and I don't want to lose it over this. I don't know if I should apologise or if they've even realised that I was the one who blabbed.

If it was me:

I'd get the relative to delete the tweet immediately. I'd take the opportunity to point out to the relative that it was most careless and insensitive to have put the tweet out there.

Then I'd meet the manager and come absolutely clean about it. Tell him that you mentioned it casually to your relative, and that you've had it taken down, and you've spoken to the relative to ensure that no other comments about your workplace would ever be tweeted again. Be clear in saying that you have learned your lesson, and apologise for the indiscretion.

What happens next is up to the manager. You could be dismissed, because loyalty to the club's customers is a value at the core of such establishments. My bet is that the manager will instead be relieved that the source has been identified and corrective action taken. While he may give you a hard time, if he's got any decency he will recognise the importance of your honest admission.

After that, all I can say is in future keep your company's work secrets a secret.

Z

LegacyUser

I ensured the tweet was deleted within 5 minutes of the text being sent, I'm not on twitter myself but I promptly deleted the relative from fb anyway just in case. It doesn't help that the relative completely exaggerated what happened

Its a new business so I'm only working there since it opened which was just over a year ago. I get on very well with management, I'm very trusted, I get the most hours out of all the staff in my department because I'm the hardest worker. I've never been in any ounce of trouble before either.

I can't figure out whether management are just brushing it off or are waiting for someone to fess up, which is why I don't know if I should just admit to it or not.

There was a somewhat similar incident a couple of months back with another staff member who tweeted a rude remark about the behaviour of a different famous patron, and he was fired, however he had not shown up for work several times in the weeks leading up to it and was calling in sick every other week, as well as being a very lazy employee. I still can't help making comparisons though.

Either way, lesson learned. I didn't think ANYONE would be stupid enough to put such a thing on twitter.

macplato

OP, I don't know what you should do in this situation, I'm not even sure what I'd do if I was in your shoes. But I can imagine being your employer in this situation and from this perspective things look much clearer to me. I would have a lot of respect for an employee, who would come to me, owned up and sincerely apologised for what happened. The sincerity of your regret is very clear, I'm pretty sure you've learned your lesson, and as your employer I'd have no problem forgetting all about it after seeing your attitude.

The added benefit of an honest chat with your boss would be the end to the stress you're going through over the whole situation. I really doubt you'd be fired for owning up, in fact if your boss has the intention of letting the guilty person go, a voluntary apology is the only thing that is going to prevent it from happening.

Maura74

macplato wrote: »

OP, I don't know what you should do in this situation, I'm not even sure what I'd do if I was in your shoes. But I can imagine being your employer in this situation and from this perspective things look much clearer to me. I would have a lot of respect for an employee, who would come to me, owned up and sincerely apologised for what happened. The sincerity of your regret is very clear, I'm pretty sure you've learned your lesson, and as your employer I'd have no problem forgetting all about it after seeing your attitude.

The added benefit of an honest chat with your boss would be the end to the stress you're going through over the whole situation. I really doubt you'd be fired for owning up, in fact if your boss has the intention of letting the guilty person go, a voluntary apology is the only thing that is going to prevent it from happening.

This could go either way. Management may make an example of OP to other staff and fire him.

OP you have done what was asked in the email so no more action is needed.

BTW were you given a copy of the confidentiality policy by your employer.

LegacyUser

We were never given a written copy of the confidentiality agreement, its more like an unsaid rule. We're reminded of it quite regularly, we're not supposed to talk about what customers get upto while at the venue with anyone. Its not in our contract either.

I know that legally they wouldn't have a leg to stand on if they did fire me because its not in my contract but they would just say its because of some other reason - company cutbacks etc.

I've come to the conclusion having thought it through that management probably know its me (relative was also tweeting my sister general chit chat and we share the same highly uncommon surname) and that this is a serious warning. I don't think I'm quite out of the woods but given the fact that a fool could see my sister and I have the same surname, if I was going to be fired, I imagine I would have gotten an immediate phonecall rather than a general group text being sent out to all of us.

Maura74

Sick with Worry wrote: »

We were never given a written copy of the confidentiality agreement, its more like an unsaid rule. We're reminded of it quite regularly, we're not supposed to talk about what customers get upto while at the venue with anyone. Its not in our contract either.

I know that legally they wouldn't have a leg to stand on if they did fire me because its not in my contract but they would just say its because of some other reason - company cutbacks etc.

I've come to the conclusion having thought it through that management probably know its me (relative was also tweeting my sister general chit chat and we share the same highly uncommon surname) and that this is a serious warning. I don't think I'm quite out of the woods but given the fact that a fool could see my sister and I have the same surname, if I was going to be fired, I imagine I would have gotten an immediate phonecall rather than a general group text being sent out to all of us.

Do not admit to anything there is no way they can be certain that you told your sister that is why they sent out a group text. Just keep you head down and get on with your work.

sonyvision

Maura74 wrote: »

Do not admit to anything there is no way they can be certain that you told your sister that is why they sent out a group text. Just keep you head down and get on with your work.

Fully agree with the above...

i worked in bars for 2 years i gave 110% every night got all the hours and worked extra and nights off when i was needed...

management showed me every body is just a number and can easy be replaced. They cannot prove it was you so say nothing. If they do sack you over this take legal action unfair dismissal.

if they wanted the confidetiality rule it needed to be in writting and not an unspoke rule.

best of luck with your position i know the feeling i have been in a similair situtation.

Gannicus

ted1 wrote: »

Say nothing, get it deleted you learnt a lesson.

If your manager wanted more action he would have said so. He probably knows is the relative a facebook friend?

mike_ie wrote: »

The manager hasn't gone hunting for someone's head, and doesn't sound like he wants to either. I'd consider that a lucky break. Get the relative to delete the tweet immediately, if you haven't already done so, and chalk it off to experience. And leave the work secrets at work next time.

I totally agree. Speak to the relative and tell them to take it down and not to make any further tweets about the incident or venue.

Chalk it up to being a lesson sorely learned and don't speak about anything like this in the future.

December2012

My guess is that the boss has got what he wanted - under the realistic threat of being sacked he has got the offending staff member to get the tweet deleted. Think about it, if he fired you there would be no incentive to prevent your relative to tweet the same thing again.

So now - tweet deleted, staff generally reminded about confidentiality, you had the shts put up you and won't spill any confidences any more, all at a quick, fair and effective way for management to deal with it.

Unless you're asked further, don't volunteer any information.