Apologies for my statements regarding other people, having calmed down I recognise these aren't relevant and thank you all for your help. All I can do is apologise and state my mitigating circumstances and hope for the best. I've had a email today stating apologies for the delay it's taken longer than expected and that it will be concluded by Friday and I'll receive the decision via letter. Does this mean that they can just dismiss me after the end of the investigation procedure and a disciplinary hearing is not mandatory? Certainly I won't have had any chance to answer allegations after being investigated although it's deemed gross misconduct I'm guessing this is fine

I'm not playing it as a card, in terms of how they've dealt with the investigation I certainly feel its valid to state that they being allowed to be in close proximity has the potential to cause unfair statements surely. I wasn't attempting to go in and say "I've been punished they haven't" at all, the above is what I meant. Thank you for your reply

Hello There I hope you can help me it's been a traumatic few weeks and I've no one to blame but myself but need some help as the whole situation is stressing me out and I'm very upset about it. It's quite a long one, but would appreciate anyone helping me if they can. Due to some personal issues I went out with a friend and got drunk to deal with it, I met up with some work colleagues and stopped drinking about 2 am but we stayed out till the club closed, at which point we went to another bar. At this point I have no memory of an entire hour, which is unusual because I wasn't drinking as much as I have, I've never lost memory during an evening before and was perfectly coherent in the previous hours as I remember everything, my sms messages were normal and things. Apparently during this hour a work colleague I asked to, got me a spirit drink so I drank at 5.40. As our place of work is next to said bar I figured it would be easier to go straight into work get ready and begin opening the shop (not literally of course but preparing) as I would start at 9 and figured I'd be okay. My colleagues came with me for a while one was completely sober, these aren't people I would normally hang out with my I add, I don't get on with 2 of them at all, one has complained about me many times (I'm a team leader). They left soon enough and I sorted the place out and when one of my bosses came in told him about my evening and them being in. He noted at this point this would have to be investigated as technically without a manager no-one should be on site. I said I was sorry I didn't know that and accepted it would be looked at. Because the cleaners were already in I thought it was okay, I've been very early before and been alone before and no-one has said anything (I've also been left alone by a manager). I had a horrible smell of alcohol which was unprofessional and noticeable. At 2 pm I was taken into an office by the main manager who also had come in at 9 who stated that he thought I was tipsy when I came in, and still was and he was sending me home. Aside from the smell, to my knowledge I'd done nothing out of the ordinary, my speech was fine, I did my job normally..etc.. wasn't wobbling or anything. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The next evening I had a investigation meeting for Unauthorized access and intoxication at work. I explained my evening and my morning, stated I couldn't remember an hour and couldn't explain why. (I wonder if I was spiked). Explained my mitigating circumstances for going out, and how it was so uncharacteristic of me to do so, I've worked there 25 months without issue or disciplinary and been promoted. I was suspended at this point with pay until it was investigated further or action was decided. -------------------------------------------------- I was asked for another investigation meeting after 7 days which I've done. This was to go through some statements by those involved, cctv footage (which showed us entering and me doing normal things. I got some uniform out as obviously I hadn't intended to stay out which he asked if I had predetermined to do). I found out about the missing hour and a drink. I've agreed and held my hands up each time I entered the building at 6am, obviously must of been a intoxicated a little from the alcohol but when my shift began I honestly felt fine, just hungover. --------------------------------------------------- I received a call yesterday that I was to have a disp hearing in two days time and a letter would be emailed to me as I was okay with that instead of a letter as the letter would be too long. At 7pm I got a call from HR in London stating this was to be postponed(if at all it was to be done again) as the investigation wasn't finished on their end and she would hopefully do this tomorrow, she stated she would let me know if any action would be taken (or my site would contact me), if I would be needed for another investigation or if they decide to proceed with a disp hearing. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm totally at a loss for my actions, I didn't intend them and expect to be fired, I love my job but recognize the severity but I'm feeling more and more stressed at the time it's taking to be resolved when I've admitted to stuff and been honest. I've been suspended for 14-15 days now (which is supposed to be as quick as possible), I'm not allowed to speak to anyone who works there (Despite being close friends with a lot of people) and such. I'm struggling to understand what more they need.. I find a few things odd however: - If I was deemed to be intoxicated why wasn't I sent home at 9 am and not instead till near my shift end at 2pm? Surely if I was bad I'd be much better at 2pm? - I'm far from the only person who works there who has been out till 5-6am, and gone to work at 9 smelling better sure, but technically would still be under the influence of alcohol without any punishment/words. - Unauthorized access I was unaware of this and generally didn't know and due to previous times I've been in thought it was okay. I understand I'm suspended for the gross misconduct, but the other 3 guys involved have been allowed to talk to each other, and worked for the past 2 weeks, I've been forbidden contact, surely it's not fair that they are able to collaborate stories and stuff? I can't do that. It can't be too impartial in their statements. And 2 of them entered also intoxicated, whilst not in shift they came in irrespective and I didn't force them. Seems unfair a little. -How much to mitigating circumstances be taken into account? - There is another Team Leader who sufferers with depression, however at least twice in the past 6 weeks she has been sent home for being hungover. Surely she should suffer disciplinary like myself? ----- I realize I'm in the wrong all over and have admitted this which is why I'm so confused with the length of time its taken, its also a huge stress cause,I can't even talk to friends from there concerned that I'm not in work, and I can't start any jobs until I'm fired/finished or know when I will be meaning the closer it comes to xmas the less likely it will be that I can get a job for rent. Does anyone have any help they can share at all? I'm well aware of how stupid I've been and dont' need any more critiques of this, believe me my head has been more than enough the past 14 days.