Dear Ms. Belle,
I am a supervisor at work and I’ve been working in the company for more than 10 years now. Starting out as a clerk, my boss saw that I’m very serious with my job so he promoted me to be team leader and later as supervisor. I would go to work during holidays if needed to. And when my boss and his wife are abroad I make sure that the business is going well. Because of this, they trust me so much.
Ms. Belle, I did something that is bothering me. First, let me tell you that my father and mother are old and sickly. One time, when my boss was out of the country, I borrowed P20,000 from the company because my father was rushed to the hospital. I returned the money after a month and didn’t bother informing my bosses anymore. And then another time, my mother was very sick and again I got money from the safe (which is my
responsibility). I returned the amount when I got my bonus.
My boss hired a new auditor recently. After two months he told me that there were irregularities in the financial records and it seemed like I got money but it was discovered only after three months. Ms. Belle, I did not steal money. I admit that I was in need and borrowed money, but I had paid for it already.
To make things worse, many people in the office hate me because they say I’m strict. Now the auditor and a co-office worker are gossiping about my case. I am afraid to lose my job. I am also ashamed because my bosses really trust me. I cannot sleep because of this. I am afraid to tell my boss and his wife because of the trust they gave me. What will I do?
Pearl
Dear Pearl,
Your bosses trust you. This time, trust them. I understand the shame that goes with betraying the trust of people most especially those who have a great impact in our life. I am sure those who committed errors that you chastised, since you are the supervisor, must be so happy to hear that you are not the perfect employee you appear to be. Of course, they will fan the flames to fuel the heat around you. That is office intrigue. Put that aside. Put your fear aside. Put your apprehensions about losing your job aside. I strongly suggest that you march straight to the office of your boss and his wife and be completely open and honest about what happened. Trust their good judgement. Trust that they will understand the difficult situation you were in. Trust that if they were around, they would have had extended help. The bottom line—tell the truth. It would hurt them more if the auditor or gossipmongers will beat you to it. They would want to hear it straight from you.
Ms. Belle