job at risk?

[Shot1]

Well not sure where to start so here I go:

I work off shore mainly on new projects commissioning etc in South Korea. It is a good job and I really like it, however, a new member of staff came with me and after finishing night shift decided (very wrongly) to have a drink in the hotel lobby. As things do our day took a turn for the worse and a small glass table got smashed and we were escorted to our rooms. The table was knocked over by accident but because of the time in the morning and because we were drinking were told to leave. Went to bed woke up checked my emails as I always do and I had been cc'd on one from one of the top managers at this site. He works for the same company as I do but the company is a large global firm but ran like lots of different ones so not a direct boss for me. His email was pretty damning advising my manager he had been informed by the hotel that there had been a disturbance and could he come and meet with them. The incident involved myself and my colleague and we've been accused of damaging hotel property in a public area and knocking our heads off guests doors? This manager has told my manager "Hopefully you can appreciate that any incident of this kind is not good for co.name here, but especially in this hotel, where we also have executives and representatives of our clients staying." and that if we worked for their team we would have been suspended, asked to leave the projects and return to the UK. Well that's what my manager has done so I am obviously very worried.

I have spoken to the manager at the hotel apologising for the stupid behaviour and paid for the damage but now we are being investigated by our company. I admit we were very foolish and it was just a one off as I have an un blemished record for the last ten year. Is this something I could lose my job over as it was in my free time or am I still at risk because I am being paid to be here and representing the firm?

Thank you for any constructive advice

[rog007]

Be honest, apologetic, reflective and pay for the damage. After that, what will be will be as it's out of your control. Good luck!

[GT03ROB]

If you've no previous, apologise profusely and expect to be shipped back to the UK with a slap on the wrists. Depends on what your boss is like to be honest.

[Sir Fergie]

Hope it all gets sorted OP - and best of luck whatever happens.

Hopefully if all gets to worst case scenario - they won't screw you over too much on the reference if you've had unblemished record up to now.

Its always frustrating when something like this happens due to a bit of stupidity - but I do hope it all works out - even if you have to go looking for new work

Edited by Sir Fergie on Thursday 5th December 14:58

[shirt]

sounds like the manager making the complaint is making a fuss over nothing. in the world of offshore engineering / commissioning this is a storm in a teacup. i have known far far worse things happen with little or no consequence.

speak to your manager, give your side of the story. apologise and tell him you'd rater stay and get the job finished. flying someone out to replace you is hassle and expense for everyone.

[Shot1]

Thanks for the support guys, I have spoken to my manager back in the UK but he was not very supportive. Looks like he's taking the word of the on site manager so I am on the next flight home and suspended till further notice. My colleague paid for the damaged table and we have spoken to the hotel manager again who assures us there is no hard feelings and we did not cause a threat to their staff or any guests. I am told he will relay this to our manager when he arrives in Korea so fingers crossed. Regarding behaviour I've seem my fair share of things over the years and have been left speechless on occasion. Probably the most memorable being the naked lad drinking candle wax but that's another story haha. Nothing I can do now but ride it out I suppose. I do not think it would have been a problem had it been kept in house but because the site team are involved and there has been trouble in the past they don't have a great deal of tolerance in these situations hence the local managers response. I can't help but be a little disgruntled by the site manager not contacting me directly to hear my side of the story prior putting the boot in as it has gotten a little out of hand now. Mountain out of a mole hill but again still concerned and would like to know if they can finish me for my behaviour outside of working hours.

[shirt]

surely there's a procedure to follow before dismissal?

hope it all blows over. company politics can often muddy the waters, your boss may just be taking the easier route other than causing friction with bigger fish.

[fido]

Shot1 said:

I am told he will relay this to our manager when he arrives in Korea so fingers crossed.

Definitely would look good for you if Hotel Manager can e-mail all those concerned. Then they are making a fuss out of nothing, and it would look bad for anyone trying to dismiss you for minor incident with no consequence.

[Shot1]

Yeah I think my manager is following procedure hence me being suspended during his investigation. He was scheduled to come to Korea anyway this week so he hasn't just shipped down here solely for this incident but to be honest it isn't like we have beaten some women up in the reception. Yes my colleague accidently broke the table (which he paid for) but is that really enough to warrant our summons home? pretty annoyed to be honest that no one spoke to me before getting to this stage as it could have all been sorted out

[Sir Fergie]

Thinking about it more - this sort of thing would almost put one off working completely.

You break your backside working very hard - and at the end of the day - when something silly like this happens which is no reflection on your professionalism when actually at work - your previous hard work counts for nothing.

Sucks massively imo.

Feel bad for you OP - but keep the chin up as hard as it maybe.

You need to keep believing in yourself that even if the worst comes to the worst - you can turn things around.

I know that's hard though - but the one positive is that your not in trouble because you couldn't do the job - so at least you know when you move to the next role that you can do the job and will do the job very well.

I really wish you the very best of luck