Problem in work..

Re: Problem in work..

Sal the 1st — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 15:10:31 GMT

[quote user="StephB"]

I hope this doesn't sound patronising because i'm serious and i mean it. But i'm so proud of you for doing that. I think it takes an extraordinary person to be able to have strength to do the right thing, which you did. I know that was so so hard for you. but I think the over all outcome will be for the best. you have learned a lesson and this other person will hopefully have learned a really big one. I think also you sharing it with us may have opened the eyes to others to be more strong and proactive in their honesty and integrity in the work place as well as life.

If you do not wish to be a two faced person to her, then don't be. Say to her I'm really sorry but I can not be here for you with this. You've *ucked up and need to deal with it. You need to grow up and deal with this like an adult and really think about what has happened. I really hate that for you, but i think it's for the best and I don't feel I would be honest by being supportive.

It's nice to know there are some honest people out there that value their integrity.

[/quote]

see this is where we differ I would speak to the person directly - give them a limited time in which to come clean of their own accord (give them a chance to do the right thing) and then if they dont I would take it to my immediate superior. If I have taken this route the person concerned will know exactly who has taken it further. This prevents a lot of problems later.

If the practice do decide to keep her on - and this is a possibility too then the problem remains limited to three people and there is less unpleasantness, accusations and backward glances about who might have said what to who among the team.

Anyways now it has been 'revealed' hopefully things will resolve satisfactorily

Re: Problem in work..

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 22:42:02 GMT

[quote user="anon123"]

Thanks Jessica :) I do feel like a weight has been lifted!!

I was worried about how I'd face her knowing that I just reported her! but now i'm thinking 'how can she face us, knowing what she's doing!' - and your right, if I didnt have a friendship with her, I wouldn't of hesitated.. oh well.. over to the vet now! But I know that I'll be the sholder she'll cry on when this all comes out!!! aghh!! I'm NOT a 2 faced person, but I feel like I am being

[/quote]

It's nice to know there are some honest people out there that value their integrity.

Re: Problem in work..

anon123 — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 22:39:27 GMT

[quote user="Caro Laithwaite VN MBVNA"]even though you feel like a bit of brown doggy dodo right now. [/quote]

haha .. thats an understatement - Thanks Caro x

Re: Problem in work..

Caro Laithwaite VN — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 22:33:30 GMT

The vet has handled it idealy and you made the right decision even though you feel like a bit of brown doggy dodo right now.

Re: Problem in work..

anon123 — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 22:09:13 GMT

Thanks Jessica :) I do feel like a weight has been lifted!!

Re: Problem in work..

Jessica Scaife — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 22:04:10 GMT

You did the right thing, it's always tough, I felt horrible reporting my colleague, but then I realised that if it were somebody I didn't have a friendship with would I have hesitated, and of course the answer is no.

At least the vet will now take more responsibility over the books and as you say you will remain anonymous. As for your friend it really is a difficult situation but if she is stealing then something needed to be done.

I hope you can find some relief in bringing it up with the vet and can start to move forward.

Re: Problem in work..

anon123 — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:54:54 GMT

Thanks for all your suggestions.. it has helped me loads.

Fairy.. I wish that this wasn't a big deal then I wouldn't be stressing so much about it, but it is a huge deal as someone already pointed out... but Steph is right, I can see that now..

After a hard shift today, about a million coffee's, I have plucked up the courage and told the vet .. he listened to my worries and re-assured me that he will not mention my name. He wants to sit down with me next week and go through the books so HE can be 100% sure that this is actually going on.. (he admited he should be more involved in the books, and will be from now on).. and if my concerns are true, then he will go to he owner of the business and tell him..

Hope I did the right thing..

Re: Problem in work..

Jessica Scaife — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:12:45 GMT

I think the problem with not saying anything is the fact that you will be seen as guilty by act of omission if were ever to get out that you knew something. This can be seen a criminal offence and could really affect your future prospects aswell. I know it would be extremely difficult to speak up but I think it is in your best interest if you do.

It would be awful if you were to get into trouble for merely stumbling across some information that incriminates another.

I would just keep that in mind when making your decision, I know how horrid this situation must feel. I myself have worked in adult nursing and have had to report someone I saw as a friend for misconduct. We even had a lecture on omission and failing to report, in human healthcare you are seen as just as guilty if you don't do anything, not sure if the rules are the same in veterinary care.

Anyway I really hope the issue gets resolved and you can move on from it.

Re: Problem in work..

fairy — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 20:08:47 GMT

I think we are just going to have to agree to disagree. Taking extra holidays and claiming to work when you are not in the building is not professional or acceptable. I just don't agree that this situation is even close to the crime of animal/human abuse.

Abuse requires intervention without question. This topic requires a choice which may damage a friendship, practice morale and will create a great deal of worry for Anon.

Anon was asking opinions on what people think is the best thing to do. I was replying with my opinion.

Re: Problem in work..

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 15:32:11 GMT

[quote user="fairy"]

I just think that problems occur when everyone gets involved in everyone elses business. I am not suggesting that her behaviour is acceptable or professional. I am also not accepting that her behaviour is in the same league as abusing animals.

[/quote]

How is this everyone else's business? This is the OP business as well as it's money that could be going to her! or possibly upgrade the business to be a better practice. I also find it a bit disconcerting that you do not find theft, fraud and dishonesty as bad as abuse of animals or humans. It's still abuse, it may not be physical but it is abusive. If one individual can have that sort of outlook on life it's no wonder we have so many families and citizens abusing the council benefits for those in need. this attitude to life has got to stop! We are all in this world together and we all effect one another in some way. Be it directly or indirectly.

Re: Problem in work..

fairy — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 15:08:14 GMT

Re: Problem in work..

Donna France — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:54:40 GMT

What would your advice be to someone if they were in that situation?

Im guessing it would be to tell someone? could you tell a head nurse or similar who can tell the practice owner? he/she wouldnt have to divulge where she got the info from.

I would think the practice boss would be more bothered by the fact he has had 'money' stolen rather than where the info came from.

I think you know what you need to do, I hope you can find the courage, because at the end of the day she is breaking the law and been dishonest.

Good luck xxxx

Re: Problem in work..

Louise Dick — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:26:18 GMT

Can't agree with that I'm afraid ("life is too short to worry about what others are up to") - if poeple can't take responsibility for themselves then somebody else has to. We can't bury our heads in the sand and carry on blithly when we know soemone is commiting fraud, possibly on a large scale. Would you feel the same way if it was a different kind of crime? If someone was being hurt/abused? Just pretend it isn't happening and look the other way?

Sorry but she is a person who has been put in a position of responsibility and trust and she is abusing that trust. As i said before just because it doen't involve physical money/cash, doesn't make it any different from stealing out the cash register in reception! It is just as bad and deceptive.

Louise

Re: Problem in work..

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:13:45 GMT

[quote user="fairy"]

I know you will probably all disagree but I think "If in doubt, do nowt"

Nothing good can come of reporting it. I am not excusing stealing but you will end up tying yourself up in knots worrying over it.

Life is too short to worry about what others are up to. If you want to see if she is ok, then that makes you a good friend. There might be a lot of stuff going on in her personal life. You may cause yourself a whole load of problems by saying anything

[/quote]

This my friend is the attitude that i can't stand with people. Being two faced and basically lying to keep out of confrontation. I think if you behave in this way you are no better than the person stealing from the books. Sorry I strongly do not agree with this suggestion. Knowing about it and not saying anything will eat you alive just the same. Honesty is always the best policy.

Re: Problem in work..

fairy — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:07:49 GMT

I know you will probably all disagree but I think "If in doubt, do nowt"

Nothing good can come of reporting it. I am not excusing stealing but you will end up tying yourself up in knots worrying over it.

Re: Problem in work..

Saskia Quinn — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:49:04 GMT

[quote user="StephB"]

[quote user="Sal (the 1st) Holesworth VN CMH Chyp (M)PNLP"]

[quote user="zalenski81"]

Is there not a way you can tell her that you have found out what she is doing and ask her if she is having money worries as she must know what she is doing is wrong. You could say that you are disappointed in her and that she should know in her heart the right action to take. Rather than going to someone higher behind her back, give her the chance to make things right. After you have made copies of the evidence though in case she makes the wrong decision. You never know, they might be more lenient with her if she confesses off her own back.

[/quote]

must admit this is probably the way I would choose to deal with this. Speak to her as a worried friend and maybe give 48hrs for her to speak to boss - and if that doesnt happen then you have no choice but to do it for her. Once she knows that you know she may just do the right thing and if she doesnt well I am sorry but she doesnt value your friendship too much

[/quote]

And what if she panics and doesn't see a way out and tries to put the blame elsewhere, possibly to yourself to keep out of trouble? No I think the bad has been done. I recommend maybe meeting with vet or even having a group intervention so there is no room for he said she said. friendship or not, do you really want to have a friendship with someone that would lie and steal? Who and what did she knock down to help you in the past? How can you be so sure she's been so honest with you? No i don't think I could be friends with someone like that. I say cut her loose and save your job. Tell your boss you were suspicious of her actions because of conversation you had, they aren't to know what conversation and when. You then looked to confirm your suspicions when in her company and then felt uncomfortable and that you needed to take it to management. that's it, then let them handle it. Maybe ask for a day off or something on the day they confront her so you do not have to be involved or be in confrontation if this is a concern for you.

[/quote]

I actually agree with StephB on this one.

Speak to management and let them sort it out - and, as StephB says, do you really want such a person to be a friend? At the end of the day, is she really as much of a friend to you as you are to her? If she were, surely, you would have been made aware of the 'money issues' she may have been having, rather than have to find this out by yourself.

You sound like a great friend to have, and she is a fool for not realising that. I wish you the very best of luck, in whatever you decide to do

Re: Problem in work..

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:26:53 GMT

[quote user="Sal (the 1st) Holesworth VN CMH Chyp (M)PNLP"]

[quote user="zalenski81"]

[/quote]

Re: Problem in work..

Sal the 1st — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 21:09:40 GMT

[quote user="zalenski81"]

[/quote]

Re: Problem in work..

Emma Purnell — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 20:47:06 GMT

[quote user="anon123"]

yeah was thinking about that actually..

I keep changing my mind about what I should do..

If it were me.. I'd want her to tell me.. so maybe I should confront her? in a nice way though.. after all.. she's one of my best friends and vice verser.. I'd be mortified if I found out my best mate got me the sack! Her friendship means too much to me.. so maybe I could do that? I could tell her I was looking through for my own holiday payments as I wanted to check something.. and I found 'that' !! - give her a chance to put the wrong right.. what do you guys reckon??

[/quote]

I think if this is what you decide please be aware that she may not react the way you want, she may become aggressive and angry towards you or even be unphased and see nothing wrong in what she has done.

Just because you are concerned about her feelings don't automatically assume she will feel the same towards you, however good friends you are.

Also, once you do this there is very little way of breaking the truth without having a her versus you solution...

Re: Problem in work..

anon123 — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 20:17:47 GMT

[quote user="zalenski81"]

[/quote]

yeah was thinking about that actually..

I keep changing my mind about what I should do..

Re: Problem in work..

zalenski81 — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:09:05 GMT

Re: Problem in work..

Vicky RVN — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:37:32 GMT

I'd phone BVNA legal advice if i were you, as someone else has suggested. Don't go getting yourself into trouble over it x

Re: Problem in work..

albatross — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:45:19 GMT

could you perhaps chat to your friend about practices being officially audited in future - say you wonder how much extra work it would put on small places.
then say that at least it would be a quick session as everything is bound to be ok at your practice.
maybe she would then worry, and perhaps correct everything and pay it all back,, and book days holidays when she then works them etc ?

if you don't think she would sort it herself then the only option as others have said is to somehow tell the boss - maybe suggest audits????
maybe find an article in a magazine about fraudulent practice working and leave it lying around?

Re: Problem in work..

anon123 — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:46:01 GMT

I know what you mean Finnigan.. only the vet and her have a key for the safe, but we are all trusted and the vet wont hesitate to give me the key if i need to get change / morphine etc.. so I dont think I'd be in trouble for looking - the books are kept right next to our morphine stash!

This whole situation has been playing on my mind for ages.. I even dreamt about it last night! Think the best way is for either the vet, or practice manager at our other branch to stumble across it and tell the owner..... ohh i dunno!! it hurts my head to think!

Re: Problem in work..

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 08:47:48 GMT

[quote user="FINNIGAN"]

please dont take this the wrong way, but do you have rights to look thru these books too,? it may get u into trouble too for looking, just saying as i had a similar problem a while back, one of our trainees was on late shift alone one night and decided to snoop thru all staff personal files, what they all earnt, any probs that had appeared for them all on file etc, she then slipped up and told me she knew what head nurse earnt, i asked her how she knew and she told me she had looked, i was fuming , it meant she also knew what i earnt too,, i mulled it over for a while and then had a quiet word with my boss, she was then called in, and was let go a few months later, (other stuff had cropped up too) but i felt awfull, i also think she knew it was me, id be a bit more carefull next time i think, althou it was the right thing to do, as i started not to trust her.

[/quote]

Either way, both in the wrong, but honesty is the best policy when it comes to work. If you keep things from people they always come out. You have to take the whole situation as a learning experience. Take to mind that she will probably lose her job and you may or may not get a slap on the wrist but be commended for being honest.