Store calling my employer.

[AppleSauce2002]

Delaware. I'm currently in a huge mess at work and not sure what the next step should be. I am a vendor for many locations within my state. I visit well over 200 stores monthly. About a week ago I was called by HR and told that I will be placed on paid leave because a serious complaint was called in about me. At the time I was unsure who or what the complaint was. So I agreed. Come to find out it was one of my stores that called in and told my employer that they caught me stealing. I remember the store and the day in question and I did not steal anything. I refused to give a credit for goods that had already been paid to the store. So now I am under investigation for something that will be hard to prove. I have had no contact with the police and as of today there are no warrants out for my arrest. No store managers or employees approached me while I was in the store about the supposed theft. I will note however that on the day in question the store did call me a few hours after I had left and told me to enjoy my time off at the time of the call I was not aware it was the store calling me until I looked the number up on the Internet. I guess in short I just need to know if they can do that, just call my employer and state that?

 

[Proserpina]

Delaware. I'm currently in a huge mess at work and not sure what the next step should be. I am a vendor for many locations within my state. I visit well over 200 stores monthly. About a week ago I was called by HR and told that I will be placed on paid leave because a serious complaint was called in about me. At the time I was unsure who or what the complaint was. So I agreed. Come to find out it was one of my stores that called in and told my employer that they caught me stealing. I remember the store and the day in question and I did not steal anything. I refused to give a credit for goods that had already been paid to the store. So now I am under investigation for something that will be hard to prove. I have had no contact with the police and as of today there are no warrants out for my arrest. No store managers or employees approached me while I was in the store about the supposed theft. I will note however that on the day in question the store did call me a few hours after I had left and told me to enjoy my time off at the time of the call I was not aware it was the store calling me until I looked the number up on the Internet. I guess in short I just need to know if they can do that, just call my employer and state that?

If they suspect that you have stolen something they do have the right to call your employer and inform them. They don't have to have hard evidence.

 

[cbg]

Of course they can. What on earth law do you think exists that would prohibit it?

 

[LdiJ]

Of course they can. What on earth law do you think exists that would prohibit it?

I have say though that it sure sounds like they falsely claimed theft as retaliation for not getting a credit they did not deserve. It sound like a return where they already got credit and what they are trying to claim as theft is him taking the returned item with him...which would be his job to do.

I personally would not have suspended him for that either unless there was pattern of stores complaining about thefts. Anyone who services 200 stores a month would quickly become noticeable if there was a pattern of stealing.

Retail operations, particularly the large ones are a bit notorious for demanding credits that they are not due, and making the lives of the reps who stand up to them as miserable as possible.

I could tell some interesting stories about some big retailers from about 20 years ago and how hard their store managers would try to destroy reps who would not play along with them.

 

[cbg]

That may well be true but that was not the question; the question was, did they violate the law by calling the employer. They did not.

She did not ask if I approved of their calling. Sometimes people interpret being told that something is legal, as an endorsement of the action in question. That should not be assumed.

 

[AppleSauce2002]

Sorry I guess I should clarify. The store wanted to receive 20$ in credit. The store had already received credit from me earlier. When I was in the store I went to the restroom to clean off my hands and then left. Almost a week later I get a call from HR stating that the store called in and claimed I stole other merchandise in the store. Which I didn't. I'm just surprised they can call and make a claim like that. Finance is a big part of my job and to be accused of this is a game changer for me. Not to much I can do.

 

[cbg]

This is not an accusation; I accept your word that you did not steal anything.

But for the sake of argument, let's pretend for a minute that you did.

Are you saying that the law should prohibit the store from reporting that to your employer? The one who sent you there in the first place?

 

[AppleSauce2002]

No I think if you have some sort of evidence or even just eyewitness' of theft you can contact whom ever you see fit. I'm concerned because it doesn't seem right to be able to just claim someone stole knowing they did not. Some folks take that kind of charge seriously like myself.

 

[cbg]

They are not a court of law. They are not required to have evidence. The law does not require that they do because there might be legitimate reason to believe someone has committed theft without their being supportable evidence. The law is not going to tie their hands that way.

Does that mean that someone can, occasionally, be knowingly falsely accused? Yes, it's a shame but it does. And I'm sorry if that is what's happened to you.

However, to require that someone have supportable evidence before they can even make a REPORT is too restrictive IMO.

 

[Chyvan]

HR and told that I will be placed on paid leave

If the status changes to "un"paid, be sure to file for unemployment.