Help needed - Work related

wdoyl001 · 18 Apr 2013 at 16:59

Hi guys

I work for online clothes retail in customer services, so bascially I answer the calls where customers will have problems with orders etc. If a cusotmer ever complains we can send to their email address a coupon code for discount. We have 10% off, 25% off £40 off and £50 off. Quite a few members of staff have sent themselves coupon codes. The managers have found out and just suspended 4 girls. Out of the 50 staff we have I would say 50% of the staff have used the codes for personal use. We have all just been sent this email...........

To stop any gossip or whispers the below is an email regarding alleged fraudulent activity by some agents on the account regarding large discounts being applied to orders for themselves, friends or family.

If proven true, this is not only a betrayal of trust from an employee to employer point of view but it is a potential gross misconduct offence and fraud – which I am sure you are aware is illegal.

The alleged actions of a few employees has potentially jeopardised the future of the account, the reputation of our company as a global company and ultimately people’s criminal records.

At this stage investigations are on-going but we will be investigating every single person on the account and checking all activity over the last 6 months.

if we encounter further suspected fraudulent activity, we shall take the necessary actions on a case-by-case basis.

If anyone wants to discuss further confidentially, then please email me in the first instance.

What exactly can they do? Sack us? Can the police get involved?

Thanks

scorza · 18 Apr 2013 at 17:03

Gross misconduct is normally a sackable offence. Fraud is a criminal offence so yes to both, though they might not get the police involved as it might reflect badly on them.

valkynaz · 18 Apr 2013 at 17:04

wdoyl001 said:
What exactly can they do? Sack us? Can the police get involved?

Thanks

So in other words you just admitted you are apart of this and now kacking your pants.

Yes, you can get sacked, and the police can get involved. Not only is this a gross misconduct offence but you are committing fraud by deceiving the managers into thinking the codes are for genuine customer use whereas you are using them for personal gain.

fadetoblack · 18 Apr 2013 at 17:10

I get the popcorn ready

BDEE · 18 Apr 2013 at 17:12

valkynaz said:
So in other words you just admitted you are apart of this and now kacking your pants.

Yes, you can get sacked, and the police can get involved. Not only is this a gross misconduct offence but you are committing fraud by deceiving the managers into thinking the codes are for genuine customer use whereas you are using them for personal gain.

This.

Can't believe people are stupid enough to do this kind of thing.

peterwalkley · 18 Apr 2013 at 17:14

I would wonder what level of management muppet failed to see this was open to blatant abuse .....

50 people in customer services makes it sound like a big company. I just hope its not one my pension funds are invested in !

King Damager · 18 Apr 2013 at 17:15

Yes they can sack you for it. Get a new job.

I'd also point out that this probably isn't the most intelligent place to post that email considering they've pointed out it could 'jeopardise the reputation of our company as a global company.'

Some firms give their employees a discount. If yours doesn't, don't abuse the system to get one. It's not allowed.

peterwalkley said:
I would wonder what level of management muppet failed to see this was open to blatant abuse .....

50 people in customer services makes it sound like a big company. I just hope its not one my pension funds are invested in !

To be fair, it actually sounds like good customer services. For the record, OP, abuse in such a situation is exactly why when I have any issues with anything, I have to ask to talk to management because none of the non-management can approve anything because non-management like to abuse the system.

kd

Rids · 18 Apr 2013 at 17:15

I doubt they'd ever go to court with something like that. I wouldnt worry from a criminal record point of view. I'd imagine you'd deservedly get the sack if you were involved though.

Windle · 18 Apr 2013 at 17:49

Sounds borderline worthwhile fessing up if you have done, claim you were pressured into it or whatever and you might escape with a disciplinary warning rather than dismissal.

isonomicjedi · 18 Apr 2013 at 17:51

It is pure & simple theft.

Sack, Imprisonment, Lose House & Kids, become a crack addict and die an early death.

on the other hand

No, their is no other hand. THIEF!

ci_newman · 18 Apr 2013 at 17:53

Start sorting out your CV..

Hades · 18 Apr 2013 at 17:55

As above, it is a dismissable offence and can lead to criminal charges too. In reality I would expect dismissal but police involvement is less likely (but not impossible).

As there is talk of "losing the account" then are you sure you work directly for the retailer or indirectly through another services company? If it is through another company then the likelihood of them involving the police may be higher as they would want to show the retailer that they take the matter very seriously.

It's a silly thing to do.

MrMoonX · 18 Apr 2013 at 17:56

It's defiantly gross misconduct, I doubt sending yourself voucher codes the police will want to bother unless its over £1k

Even quitting now won't save you as they can discipline u during notice period or say resigned whilst under investigation on a reference! So you are boned totally!

Nix · 18 Apr 2013 at 17:56

Have you used a code for your own personal gain?

If not, you have two options:

1. Stay quiet and hope for the best. Like an innocent plea at court -- could backfire.

2. Speak to management, apologise and explain you have not and will not be using the code. Hope they look upon it favourably.

Either way, I'd start looking for other jobs just in-case. Be ready to jump before you're pushed.

Hades · 18 Apr 2013 at 18:01

Nix said:
2. Speak to management, apologise and explain you have not and will not be using the code. Hope they look upon it favourably.

This might work. If you've already spent it then it may still help, especially if you offer to pay back the amount involved. It's a risk though and could go either way. There would certainly be a disciplinary of some form.

Nix said:
Either way, I'd start looking for other jobs just in-case. Be ready to jump before you're pushed.

Agreed, although it would be interesting to see what reference the company gives.

Slade2 · 18 Apr 2013 at 19:07

This happened a lot when I worked at some major fast food outlets. As a shift manager I would often catch people giving away free food to there mates and often staff would do it to each other. Most of the time they were suspended and then invited to a meeting with the manager of the store in question. They would be given an choose then it was either resign on the spot or we can continue the process and the police would be contacted regarding your theft of company property. In my experience 100% of people would choose the first one. This would avoid the need to continue the process and the person would leave.

isonomicjedi · 18 Apr 2013 at 19:09

When I worked I sacked someone for stealing a chocolate bar.

Theft is theft and you have to be seen to taking a hard-line whatever the circumstances or live with the consequences of the staff robbing the company blind.

Wink · 18 Apr 2013 at 19:59

BDEE said:
This.

Can't believe people are stupid enough to do this kind of thing.

^^

With you.

Xordium · 18 Apr 2013 at 20:04

Well to get proper advice we will need to know whether you are on of the staff who did wrong.

If you did do wrong then don't ask here ask someone who is qualified to answer that for you.
If you didn't do wrong then 99% of people will presume you did anyway and offer little help I am afraid.

I would say though if you didn't do anything then they would have to "prove" gross misconduct and you will be allowed to challenge that. If however you did do wrong then really seek advice eg CAB.

valkynaz · 18 Apr 2013 at 23:19

Nix said:
Have you used a code for your own personal gain?

If not, you have two options:

1. Stay quiet and hope for the best. Like an innocent plea at court -- could backfire.

2. Speak to management, apologise and explain you have not and will not be using the code. Hope they look upon it favourably.

Either way, I'd start looking for other jobs just in-case. Be ready to jump before you're pushed.

If OP has done nothing wrong at all they will have nothing to worry about as records will show they has done nothing wrong. Although "What exactly can they do? sack us?" suggests otherwise as if OP had done nothing wrong they wouldn't be worried about getting sacked or police involvement.