Could I Be Fired For Placing An Order Through An Company?
Posted by China Sourcing CommentatorSep 21
I was terminated from job for placing an order with another company. We’re talking about umbrellas here. My boss terminated me for ordering a umbrella through the company that supplys us with the cover. We did not have the frame we needed, nor the cover. So, I went to our source who has both. I e-mailed the order on our company letterhead and enclosed my personal e-mail address and telephone number. I was e-mailing the company I ordered the umbrella through stating that I wanted to pay for the order myself, since this was for me and the payment was not to go through my company. My boss got a fax stating that my order was shipped. He questioned me about it. I gave my reasons. He then terminated my employment and declared it to be “attemped theft”. He said I didn’t follow procedure, but there is no company handbook stating what I did was against the rules. We didn’t have the frame, so I went to our source. I worked beside this man for 7 years and never stole a thing. Was I wrong? Advise.
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Yes and no. You were wrong to use the company letterhead as this was misleading. If this were strictly personal, you’re boss would never have recieved a fax. Did you recieve a discounted rate that was intended for the company? You also used company resources for personal use, but calling this “attempted theft” is a stretch. Where was HR during all of this? You should consult a lawyer who may be able to file a Wrongful Termination lawsuit, but it is unlikely that you will get your job back.
You were terminated because your employer could not tack on what they would charge. Crappy I know. You went over their head and although I see nothing wrong with ordering something that you were paying for. Did your boss misunderstand you that your company was not paying for it instead of you? I have done this often and never had a problem with my company. I provided my payment up front with no questions asked. Sorry you lost yor job. I however feel that there is a huge misunderstanding between you and your boss.
Who orders an umbrella?Why not buy one for 5$ like everyone else.
Why use Company letterhead?
Something isn;t adding up here.
Can you be fired – Yes. Did he over react – Probably. Should you have asked his permission first – Definitely.
Hindsight is 20/20. You may talk to him after he cools off. But with the attitude that it was wrong but with good motives and would never happen again.
first of all do you have proof that there is no employee handbook second yes it is discrimination against you the only way you could win the case is through professional help medical psychological companies have a tremendous high amount of discrimination and workmans comp cases every year it may take up to 5 years to win your case it is a fact that the law changes all most every year dont you agree?
You probably shouldn’t be placing personal orders to your employer’s distributors while you are at work and using your company’s letterhead, that looks a little bit suspicious and a little bit of suspicion is all it takes to get fired.
Using your company’s letterhead to order your umbrella can be regarded as a “Purchase Order” for the goods and since Purchase Orders are contracts between companies, your company will be held liable in case you will not pay the goods you ordered (even though you plan to pay it by yourself).
Your boss said its attempted theft since he thinks that you placed the order for your own use and have the company liable for it since you used the company’s letterhead.
Next time you should just use your own letterhead if you want to order goods for yourself. Besides, company letterheads (stationery) should be used for business purposes only.
There are arbitration services available in many cities. Should you choose to file a legal claim of wrongful termination, your legal counsel ought to be aware of those services as well.
The ‘reasonable person’ standard is the common argument for one’s case (i.e., would a reasonable person do the same?).
There is always a case to be made in most situations, but the strength of it will determine whether the outcome makes it worth your time.
Given the length of time at this employer, it would most likely be worth saving your reputation, as future employers would seek past references.
If you are in an “at will” employment state, you can be let go for any reason.
If you can prove discrimination or something similar, you may have a case.
It sounds like something else may have been going on that you were or were not aware of.
I wouldn’t want to stay there, I’d move on and find something better.
You need to be more careful of how things can be perceived, basically you’re falsifying records and misrepresenting by using company letterhead for your own use.
I am sure that if you told him up front, you would still have a job.
Lessons learned.
Just to clarify was the umbrella for yourself or for the company?
Yes, you were wrong, but it does not sound like “attempted theft”. You should have ask your boss for permission to place the order. This sounds like a misunderstanding, and if there is anyone higher than your boss, you should ask to talk to them. Try talking to the Human Resource Dept.