Formal fact finding interview

[goggins69]

Has anyone else ever been asked to attend a formal fact finding interview when a shared stock had a loss discovered on a Saturday and you were the one that had balanced it the previous Wednesday. What are the implications? Should I have a trade union representative present?

[cashman]

I would take your rep along, just make sure the manager follows procedure.

[bigjames]

Has anyone else ever been asked to attend a formal fact finding interview when a shared stock had a loss discovered on a Saturday and you were the one that had balanced it the previous Wednesday. What are the implications? Should I have a trade union representative present?

When you say you balanced the stock, were you the last person to actually serve from the stock? Clearly if one or more people have served from the stock since you balanced it, there should be several people called to account. If others have used it, were cash declarations done each time someone new logged on and served? All questions that will need answers. Access to keys is another issue, can anyone get into the stock without anyone else seeing? Are the keys locked away for and signed for on receipt? Definitely yes to Union representation - it covers everybody. They won't be able to take part in the interview (in theory) but will ensure fairplay.

[PO1]

If others have used it, were cash declarations done each time someone new logged on and served?

Sorry bigjames but I'd be amazed if this is common practice. Ever since we went onto shared stock units it's usually just a question of get open ASAP forget checking anything and when it's balanced ALL names go against the result. At the end of the day a cash declaration doesn't prove anything, a stock balance and immediate check by a supervisor does.

With regards to the original post I take it that your saying nobody else had used the stock from you balancing it on Wednesday and this "loss" on the Saturday, along with the other things that bigjames mentioned?

[The BFO]

A Union Representative for a ‘Fact Finding’ interview? A little excessive?

[goggins69]

It was a shared stock that had had three people at least logged on to it and had been used all day Thursday, Friday and Saturday before the loss was discovered.

[PO1]

Were you one of the three?

[cashman]

A Union Representative for a ‘Fact Finding’ interview? A little excessive?

Well if not a rep, take a collegue with you as a witness at least

[bigjames]

If others have used it, were cash declarations done each time someone new logged on and served?

Sorry bigjames but I'd be amazed if this is common practice.

Too true, I generally get my team to do a cash dec before they open with a new stock, but if people leap in and out during the day, logging on and off is probably the best we can hope for.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

A Union Representative for a ‘Fact Finding’ interview? A little excessive?

Nope a legal right

You are entitled to ask a colleague or Union Representative to attend a disciplinary meeting with you or one that could lead to a disciplinary being taken out. Fact finding interview would fall under this I would have thought.

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[cashman]

The BFO, your not a Manager by any chance?

[goggins69]

Yes I was one of the three, on the Thursday

[The BFO]

The BFO, your not a Manager by any chance?

No I am not a Manager - I just feel a little concerned for the Union Representative who, if he/she is typical of ours, will have to travel a very long way.
But on balance, even if ‘goggins 69’ is entirely innocent, her evidence may be used to incriminate someone else, so perhaps she should have someone to witness what is said.

[claire1.9]

No matter how small a matter you should never go into any kind of interview with out anybody because if it did go any further you also have a witness to anything that happens. I learnt the hard way because a previous manager I had problems with complained to the area manager about me when she wasn't doing well in her job. It was only because my assistant manager stood up for me and said what she was saying wasn't true so I wasn't taken in the office by the area manager. The manager was moved to another office not just because of me but for other things as well. She bullied me and imtimidated me and I let it happen. I use to go into the office alone with her so my word against her. What was on my side she did it to me in front of the whole office as well. So you learn by your mistakes.

[PO1]

Yes I was one of the three, on the Thursday

Can't see much wrong with a fact finding interview if you're talking about a substantial loss. They're obviously going to try and find the cause or if anything could be implemented to prevent it in future etc.

I too though would advise on having someone you trust with you at least as that is your right. If you've done nothing wrong you've nothing to fear, so don't let it worry you.