Employment Law

[horseshoes]

Are there any ABers who know about employment laws? I'd be grateful for some advice. Thank you.

[Sycamore3House]

Put procedures in place to stop this lady having access to cash. Get the barman to take the money for food. Start doing weekly stock takes. Use numbered waitress pads. All ways to stop thieving.

[boxtops]

It's a very nasty thing to point the finger at someone else too (I believe courts look dimly on people trying to fob off blame on other people)

[buildersmate]

The answer to your question is given by Maydup (who based on previous evidence knows rather a lot about employment law).
An employer has to have a fair process for investigating an allegation of misconduct and come to a reasonable decision based on the evidence. So, yes, the employee could be dismissed.
What then happens depends on the dismissed employee - she would have to take a case to the Employment Tribunal, who would decide whether the process and the decision reached were both fair and reasonable, else the employee would get the job back again or a large wodge.

It's time the management that runs this outfit gets a grip of the processes, to prevent one individual having this opportunity for apparent theft.

[horseshoes]

Sycamore, as I said in a previous post, the barman doesn't come in until its almost time for the ladies to go home, so that's just not possible.

Boxy, who do mean?

[horseshoes]

Buildersmate, I believe the only way to avoid said person handling cash is to close the canteen as per accountant's advice. The only people on the premises, are those who are working in the canteen ie the 2 employees. Anyway, i shall pass on the advice given and then it's up to them what they do with it. I suspect, not much and that the sorry situation will carry on for some time. I tried:-) thank you all once again.

[EDDIE51]

If on the 'quiet' days the takings are so low then the stock sold must reflect that. Do you do stock checks to see how much is sold each day?

[horseshoes]

Hi Eddie, I believe they have just asked the bar stock taker to look at the catering stock too, so perhaps that will throw up something telling.

[EDDIE51]

You will need a reliable stock check system in place to get sufficient proof to take this to a disciplinary hearing. I work in commercial catering and any till discrepancy of £5 or more has to be investigated immediately while the staff are still present.
One easy idea has just come to mind ,on the 'quiet' days check how many 'no sales' have been rung up. If there are a large number that is further grounds for suspicion. The person must open the till to give change so if she is pocketing the cash then the only way to open the till is to ring up a 'no sale' as she can't ring in the real amount. With some modern tills you can program them so that it needs a second person to authorise a 'no sale' with a key or code.

[horseshoes]

I agree Eddie; I fear it's after the horse has bolted though. We shall see.

[ELVIS68]

Good luck Horseshoes

Don't say the horse has bolted.....you'll get accused of animal cruelty ;o)

[horseshoes]

Ha ha Elvis. Thanks.

[bednobs]

i would have thought that if this employee has really been stealing, being suspended is probably enough of a shock to get her to stop!

[lcg]

bednobs....people who Sugar on their own doorstep tend not to be too brainy......