I am very ashamed, I have been very stupid and don't know what possessed me.
I feel sick and scared, can't eat.
This is the first time I have ever done any thing like this,
it is not me, so I am very ashamed.
I'm 50 female and worked part time .
Been working there nearly 2 yrs.
I was called into an investigation meeting at work ( i work in a large retail chain) and then a few days later a disciplinary meeting.
At the first meeting
Firstly,
I have been accused of buying online from our store with my discount and then returning without making sure the discount had been taken off.
This has happen numerous times, I didn't notice the discount hadn't been deducted.
Sometimes it is sometimes it isn't.
I stupidly assumed that it is the person behind tills responsibility to press the button.
(I work there so they know I'm an employee ) but apparently it's my responsibility.
I didn't realise
they have examples going back a year, mainly in the last few months,
I had pointed out a couple of times that they need to press button, when I was just bringing one thing back.
Usually I am returning number of items, busy getting sorted to check button is pressed.
Secondly, I should return to card paid with but often forget my credit card so use my debit card
(also used to have 3 months to return so credit card would have already been paid).
Thirdly, I had some items that were past their return date and I got my husband to bring them in to me for return (no one knows my husband) which I nervously did as I knew I shouldn't serve my husband. ( he was not happy doing it)
stupidly used my debit card, and used a false name and address.
the thing I am most ashamed of,
i realised I had returned something to my husband at the reduced price rather than price I paid,
got it in my head that I needed the difference ( god knows why)
did a suspended transaction so that I could take it to the till at my break,
for some reason I had a gift card in my pocket for use with customers
I loaded the amount onto the gift card for me! (£20) not even worth it.
As I said I don't know why I did it, what possessed me.
All so very stupid, but done now so can't change.
I said I would pay back what I had got in error as not my intention.
in the investigation meeting I explained my reasoning for the first 3 things,
said I couldn't remember the final thing
- when I was asked about the transaction.
I got suspended unsurprisingly.
I didn't sleep at all, all I could think was 'that they knew'.
I was called back in the next day and asked to clarify a few things including the refund,
I broke down and admitted it was for me, and didn't say yesterday as ashamed.
I was told they would be in touch.
I left and went and got replacement gift card from another shop and in an enveloped dropped it in addressed to investigating manager.
I know it doesn't put it right.
Few days later I received letter inviting me to disciplinary meeting.
I went, I could have taken someone but was too ashamed.
Haven't even told my husband about gift card.
At the meeting I said how ashamed and sorry I was, how it wasn't my intention to abuse my position.
Said I had stress at home, but no excuse.
Had already submitted my resignation, (but have to give 2 weeks notice )
He said he had to go through process and ask questions.
He wanted factual reasons that I couldn't give ,
asked if had any mitigating circumstances ,
i didn't even know what that was.
Then he and note taker left room for 30 minutes.
I asked several times if I could leave and he said no they had to go through process.
When they came back he listed what I was accused of .
Then said they would accept my resignation with immediate effect, which I wrote there and then. He ended the meeting.
Then said "off the record" - I had said I would repay what taken, if I work out what I owe back, (central protection can go back 18 months)
then they may take that into account when/if they contact police.
I said I didn't have copy of receipts but I could do what I could
- looking at my bank /credit card ins and outs and orders placed.
I just want to die at the moment, i have been so stupid. I am so ashamed of my actions .
I now can't sleep or eat with fear that the police are going to come knocking at my door.
I have spent two days going through my accounts and worked out in the last 8 months that there have been about £550 ( mostly in the last couple of months with sale stuff and handbags )
I haven't a clue about 18 months ago but I've spent more on clothes and shoes and bags lately and there have been a lot of new staff in last few months .
I am going to write to them offering a payment of what I have calculated I owe and apologise for my actions .
I am so humiliated . I don't know who I can talk to. There's not even a CAB I can call in my area.