Fired from work, accused of stealing, and didn’t do it
A Reader Asks This Question:
i worked there as a recruiter and was fired for “downizing” then four days later the cops call me and asked me why they would think i would be stealing from them, and what if he says i have you on camera. its all completely bogus. what can i do?
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3 Responses to Fired from work, accused of stealing, and didn’t do it
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@Lavetta, sit down right now and document everything. Who was present when the money was counted. Who saw you put it away. Call the temp agency and tell them that the SI wants to talk to you. Is there a security camera in the area? If so, make them check it. Click here to learn how to document problems at work.
The bad new is, even if they can’t prove it, they can still fire you. It doesn’t matter if it’s an unfair reason or a bad reason or no reason at all, just as long as it’s not an illegal reason.
I am writing because I am concerned. I worked for a school for five months through a temporary agency. During the last few months of my assignment, me and another secretary collected fees from parents which included bus fees. I received a phone call today asking me if I placed money someplace like in a file drawer? I said no and told them that I always put payments in a basket for the bookkeeper as instructed. About mid-day, out of concern, I called to follow up on the missing money. The Secretary says that they did not find the money and I got concerned because she said that the only money missing was the money that I collected and the parents had a receipt proving that I collected the money. I immediately called her and she stated that it was strange that only the money I collected was missing. I think it is strange as well. She also stated that the Superintendent would be in contact with me on Tuesday. I asked if I could speak with the Superintendent and to wait until Tuesday. I am worried because I did not take the money and it was only two of us handling the money. The money was out in the open and the more I think about it, I feel as though I am being set up. I want to call the temp agency to let them know what is going on since they are my employers. What should I do? What are my rights? Can they arrest me for something that I did not do although I was the one that collected the money? Why would I take money and write a receipt to parents?
This is a simply answer… I work in Loss Prevention so take my word for it… Do some research with the local police handling this accusation. Should they say that they have proof, demand that they provide that proof. If they do not have the proof, let it be and go about your business. Should they formally charge you, and make you think they have a case against you (and they will say that) get a lawyer to defend you. When you are found NOT GUILTY, you then use the same lawyer to file a law suit against the accuser. You sue them for everything that you had to deal with, lost wages, false accusations, emotional distress, and make them pay for all of your court cost to include travel to the court room and your attorney. If they are falsely accusing you of something and you are not a thief then you are fine. Just make sure if they play had ball you play right back. YOU HAVE RIGHTS and it might even be in your best interest to contact a lawyer now to get information about your local and state laws regarding this type of thing. In some states, you already have a law suit. So I would recommend that you contact an employment and or a civil rights lawyer.