where I work, with food, it happens constantly that employees take some of that food and before it goes to waste, they eat it. I’ve been doing it for the last 3 years. It’s really a lot of food.
Apparently somebody doesn’t like me and complained to our manager accusing me of eating some of that food. My manager and an employee who used to eat the food and even told me once to help myself, asked me if I took some of the food. ‘yes, like I’ve been doing for the last 3 years, exactly like him, otherwise it goes to waste.’
‘that’s stealing’ was all the manager said. ‘Don’t do that again.’
I just said fine and left it at that thinking that would be the end of it.
2 days later I get a letter from hr, asking about an accusation against me for stealing food and asking me to see them to tell them my side of the story.
It wouldn’t make any sense to lie at this point, because my manager and that other guy who used to eat that food before it goes to waste already heard me clearly stating that yes, and I don’t know who made the accusation. I did eat it, so I stuck to that story.
Stupid? Only you can decide, but would it have made any sense to claim otherwise at that point?
If this is something I should change in the future, how would I get away with it, or try to get away with it?
To those of you to the left tempted to write I shouldn’t tell on my coworkers, when one of my coworkers did exactly that, you really don’t see how stupid is that?
One of:
A) Lie & Deny - Play dumb, and deal with the consequences. Least control, most wildcard.
B) Throw others under the bus - Your manager and coworkers were doing it too. I’m wondering if they noticed all the food discrepancies, and need more ammo against your manager?
C) Accept it - How will they get their money back if they think you stole from them?
Touching on option C real quick, they can calculate the dollar amount of the theft and pursue criminal charges. Obviously that would be absurd in this circumstance, but be aware.
well, this is what I did and no matter what I’m going to be the asshole:
to hr, because I stole.
to my coworkers, because as a reaction to one of them ratting on me, I ratted on them (without naming anyone, so I don’t know if that’s even ratting).
I simply don’t have good options here, but as posted, what I want to do is to learn for the next time.
so, claim I don’t recall?
Yeah, not sure what recourse or proof they have against you besides an accusation and presumably your managers word. What is their liability towards a wrongful dismissal claim by you if they do decide to terminate you? i.e. They gotta be sure and are hoping you self-incriminate to confirm.
How is play dumb the wildcard? If they had anything on OP they had him already fired. German chancellor used the prase “i dont remember” in court to get away scoff free from the biggest tax fraud case in german history. If they have anything on you, they’ll use it anyway. Saying anything besides “i dont remember taking food” is self incrimination. OP should be prepared to know the process of discarding food at the end of the shift though.
Fair play. I meant in terms of it devolving into a they said vs they said. Your point is paramount.