Off Topic I lost my job today...

So yes, I lost my job of 25yrs. It was a skilled but manual job and I lost it through partly my own fault.

A couple of people saw an empty bottle of vodka in my work jacket, they reported this to management and so the outcome is I didn’t have a leg to stand on.

I'm 58yrs, 60 next year, so it's going to be very difficult to find a new position for those reasons.

I don't drive and I'm no use on computers, so I'm feeling somewhat lost tbh.

You know what, I don't really know else to say really.

It was so difficult to tell my wife and family when I got home this afternoon and they understandably haven't taken it too well.

You know what, worse things are happening in the world today, so I'm going to end my whinging right here.

Just feeling a bit worried about our future and where to go from here.

 

So sorry to hear mate
Without going into detail had you been drinking? Have you lost it?
Can you still go to a tribunal?
In a union?
dontadmit to anything yet
Seek advice and say you were struggling
Firms have a duty to support you

 

Thanks Chazz, I do drink, but certainly not at work. Lost it? No I've been in pretty good form.

I'm told I have a right to appeal the decision, but I don't hold out much hope for that.

I didn't admit to drinking at work, but at home yes.

 

Same questions as Chazz really.
Had you been drinking,we're you intoxicated? Have you been sacked without a thorough investigation and suspension? Have you admitted anything?(Admit **** all!!).

 

As Chazz said. But I do hope you thanked the goodie two shoes who dobbed you in. Something succint like, thanks b*****d.

And most definitely as others have said - admit nothing. Deny.

 

On the assumption they can't prove you were drunk, could you argue that the bottle was for you to collect some liquid later?

 

https://www.acas.org.uk/

Contact acas if not in a union. Or even if you are.

Did your employer follow a proper procedure?

What's the reason for dismissal. If the reason is a couple of turds found an empty bottle of vodka in your jacket then nah. That's not grounds enough.

 

If you've been sacked purely because someone saw an empty vodka bottle in your jacket then I think you've got a very strong case to fight it. But if there's other things at play that aren't mentioned then it's hard to really advise without knowing full story.

 

What is the bottle for? Say nothing
Why do you have an empty bottle in your jacket? Say nothing

They will ask these questions when you are still shocked and freaked out. But at a guess from your original post, they have asked and you have answered those questions?

 

Hold firm Kempton. Unless you smelt of Alcohol or was seen drinking from the bottle at the end of the day it’s an empty bottle. They must need more than that.

 

Doesn't sound like they've followed any procedure at all? That empty bottle could've been in his jacket from Saturday or Sunday? Different if he's turned up pissed or someone has smelled drink off him during working hours of saw him drinking...

Investigation is part of procedure in the vast majority of misdemeanours in the workplace.Instant dismissal can be the course of action for some things but I would think that carrying an empty bottle in your jacket doesn't constitute gross misconduct.

First port of call,Union(if you have one),ACAS if you don't and they may advise contacting an employment lawyer...

 

Sorry to hear this Kemps but i'm pretty sure you put it on here you had to take a sample to the Doc's today.

 

I'm amazed after 25 years of working for them that they have dismissed you basically over a empty vodka bottle Kemps. Some firms now do alcohol and drug tests or they would working on the docks. Is there a bit more of the story because for a dismissal surely they need proof of drinking on the job. Hope things turn out well for yourself and the family and I am sorry for your situation.

 

Thinking of you Kemps. Sounds an awful situation.

Like others have said, speak to your union, or Acas or Citizen's Advice.

Main thing: Don't give up.


The darkest hour is just before dawn...

 

Absolutely. Sounds like something you'd expect from an American employer.

Despite the best efforts of some, in this country we still rights that people fought hard for.

 

Good luck with it Kempton. Take the advice offered on here.

 

So sorry to hear this Kempton
Good advice from others
Make sure you do what ACAS requires you to, and at the very least make sure you put enough things in place so it’s obvious to them that not giving you it back on appeal will result in a tribunal (they’ll have almost certainly made procedural errors, all employers do)
Worse case they might pay out a little to save them legal costs in the ET.

Time to know the company policies inside out so you can see where they’ve left themselves exposed

Sorry though

 

When I said lost it
I meant your job mate not the plot!
Are you in a union?

 

I am with Unite and I will contact them so we'll see how it goes from there.

Thanks for all replies here, but I'm off for a good cry now