Just been fired...Where do i stand

[acollins123]

yesterday i was fired from my job (halfords) for 'Gross misconduct'. This was because i used my trade card to save my mate 2 quid on a spark plug socket. As far as I am aware i have no written of verbal warnings in my personnel file. I still need to have a re-read of the T's and C's for the trade card, but im pretty certain an offence of this type only results in my card being revoked and not me getting fired. I havent 'actually' been fired yet, but i have the option of either handing in my notice or getting the sack. Can any experts out there tell me if what they are doing is legit or not? Dont know if it matters but I've been with the company over 2 years.

[john_p]

What does your contract of employment say? Is "fraudulent use of the discount card" a disciplinary offence?

[acollins123]

i dont know i cant find it

[anonymous-user]

Dole queue.

Just kidding but in reality if something is gross misconduct (and i'm not saying what you did is) then there is no need to go through verbal\written warning etc. Have a look at your staff handbook for the appeals process there will have to be one, and the final stage of that after internal appeals etc will be appeal to an independent arbitrator most likely 'ACAS'

[Caruso]

I presume you have been suspended then? If so there should be some sort of disciplinary hearing and the possibility of appeal before they can actually fire you. They can fire you for gross misconduct at the first offence.

[Ozone]

I don't know the full legal side but i believe it is an abuse of position/perk to do what you did. I know it was a small item but if you continued to do that it would cost the company.
When my daughter worked at Tesco she was not supposed to serve family members for a similar reason.

Good luck

[Man-At-Arms]

acollins123 said:

i dont know i cant find it

ask a colleague for a copy of theirs

[Neil_H]

Sounds like a technicality they might usually overlook, unless they're especially keen to get rid of you/ any staff they can.

You should really be getting some professional advice from a solicitor.

[bonsai]

I reckon they're tyring to cut costs so will jump at the first chance to get rid of staff without having to pay them redundancy.

[Graham E]

I suggest you atand in the corner, and think about what you've done =)

[Dupont666]

Have forwarded this thread to my mate richburley, he should be along shortly to give some sort of opinion/help.

[Mattygooner]

On one leg in a puddle of your own piss, they can't fire a retard.

[acollins123]

im off for a bit lads cheers for the advice i'll get back to you when i get back

[merc_man]

Didn't you have the feeling that letting someone else use your staff discount would be a little bit dodgy. Was this the first time you've done this? Under what circumstances were you caught using the card? Perhaps they've noticed a lot of transactions on your card and have become suspicious?

It does sound like you've been taking the piss mate.

[RichBurley]

My law firm specialises in Employment matters. If the OP wishes to call us to discuss this, then we'd be happy to assist.

Regards,

Richard

[Calculator]

Rich,

Any chance of a brief view on this, don't want to waste your time on the phone if it is black and white. Be much appreciated:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

Cheers

[ChapppeRS]

Ozone said:

I don't know the full legal side but i believe it is an abuse of position/perk to do what you did. I know it was a small item but if you continued to do that it would cost the company.
When my daughter worked at Tesco she was not supposed to serve family members for a similar reason.

Good luck

I once served my uncle in Sainsbury's, double scanned 3 or 4 of his items because I was talking to him.

To the OP: sounds like in any other year at any other time they'd say "don't buy your mates stuff" and sla you on the wrist. However I'm betting, like pretty much any other company, they want to get rid of people any way possible at the moment.

But by all means get some proper legal advice on the matter. You'll have a really tough time finding another job at the moment

[Dupont666]

Calculator said:

Rich,

Any chance of a brief view on this, don't want to waste your time on the phone if it is black and white. Be much appreciated:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

Cheers

Just emailed him to have a look and should be along shortly for you.

edited due to someone who shall remain nameless being really bloody panicy about things....

Edited by Dupont666 on Monday 6th July 14:26

[deadmau5]

ChapppeRS said:

Ozone said:

I don't know the full legal side but i believe it is an abuse of position/perk to do what you did. I know it was a small item but if you continued to do that it would cost the company.
When my daughter worked at Tesco she was not supposed to serve family members for a similar reason.

Good luck

I once served my uncle in Sainsbury's, double scanned 3 or 4 of his items because I was talking to him.

I'm quite sure that that isn't the reason why they don't let you serve family members.

[ChapppeRS]

deadmau5 said:

I'm quite sure that that isn't the reason why they don't let you serve family members.

Oh I know, i'm just an idiot. It's the exact opposite reason in fact.