Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: JamesV6CDX on 01 December 2008, 20:16:08
-
I have been off work for three weeks.
When I returned today, I discovered, towards the end of the day, that my personal filing cabinet has been broken into. There are signs of a forced entry and the locking mechanism is all bent.
Now - I can't decide, if this is colleagues looking for something (will ask tomorrow) or if it's an attempted theft.
Thing is, there was a digi camera burried in there, I'm surprised to find it intact! That's what makes me think it was colleagues (most likely ordered to do it by my boss).
Do my colleagues (or boss) actually have a right to forcefully break into my personal drawers while I am away?
I would have expected an email, if someone had to do that. I had a good mind just to report it as a forced entry >:(
-
if the camera is company property then i'm not saying it's right to break in....or attempt, but there might have been a good reason for wanting it.....
if its yours then i would be raising the roof by now
-
They do not have the right to break into your personal cabinets. If they were doing a search for some reason you should be present. If I were you I would report it as a forced entry -- get the police involved and let the boss or colleagues worm their way out of it
-
There was some company property in there, but nothing that would have been needed (Camera was obscelete).
My bigger concern, was some VERY personal documentation (medical stuff, job applications, etc...
-
There was some company property in there, but nothing that would have been needed (Camera was obscelete).
My bigger concern, was some VERY personal documentation (medical stuff, job applications, etc...
By the sounds of it this was a general attempt to break in, in which case i would take it to your direct manager, alert them of this and ask how they intend to deal with it, mentioning subtly that the police could be called due to the personal nature of the contents....
i know its a bit late now, but in light of this i would leave nothing that can be used against you in those drawers in the future
-
There was some company property in there, but nothing that would have been needed (Camera was obscelete).
My bigger concern, was some VERY personal documentation (medical stuff, job applications, etc...
By the sounds of it this was a general attempt to break in, in which case i would take it to your direct manager, alert them of this and ask how they intend to deal with it, mentioning subtly that the police could be called due to the personal nature of the contents....
i know its a bit late now, but in light of this i would leave nothing that can be used against you in those drawers in the future
But the thing is - to get to those drawers, they would have had to get past two hospital security doors needing codes.
And, why try and break into my draws - when the room is full of top spec PCs, Scanners, Flat screens, etc...
-
Regardless of what may have been in there, I honestly see this as bullying....
-
There was some company property in there, but nothing that would have been needed (Camera was obscelete).
My bigger concern, was some VERY personal documentation (medical stuff, job applications, etc...
By the sounds of it this was a general attempt to break in, in which case i would take it to your direct manager, alert them of this and ask how they intend to deal with it, mentioning subtly that the police could be called due to the personal nature of the contents....
i know its a bit late now, but in light of this i would leave nothing that can be used against you in those drawers in the future
But the thing is - to get to those drawers, they would have had to get past two hospital security doors needing codes.
And, why try and break into my draws - when the room is full of top spec PCs, Scanners, Flat screens, etc...
is this the reason for believing that it was someone with the team you work in then?
-
Regardless of what may have been in there, I honestly see this as bullying....
I don't... I see it as attempted theft!! Call the police/security and advise the management :y :y
-
I'd be more interested in WHO tried to break in & "Spending a little time" with them, not why or the legal implications, whoever did this overstepped the mark.
No offence mate but why are you keeping personal doccies at work? I keep them all at home, except my ADR cert which i'm obliged by law to carry. ::)
-
Dunno about your current place of employ but, at my last (you know where) there was no such a thing as 'private' drawers' or lockers. It was all the property of the firm and there were duplicate/master keys held centrally.
Also, if something was known to be locked away and was needed as a matter of extreme urgency (notebook or similar) then the drawer/locker was simply forced.
I would confirm via contract or terms of employment what the standpoint is and if unclear, report a theft/break in/OLP to your line amnager and consider their reaction.
-
This is personal James - see your direct boss
-
Dunno about your current place of employ but, at my last (you know where) there was no such a thing as 'private' drawers' or lockers. It was all the property of the firm and there were duplicate/master keys held centrally.
Also, if something was known to be locked away and was needed as a matter of extreme urgency (notebook or similar) then the drawer/locker was simply forced.
I would confirm via contract or terms of employment what the standpoint is and if unclear, report a theft/break in/OLP to your line amnager and consider their reaction.
Well, in my civvy job... everyone has a personal set of draws, and holds the keys as such. No centrally held keys.
I will chat with my boss first, but I really cannot believe she wouldn't email me and at least let me know it happened, it's not like her :-/
-
They do not have the right to break into your personal cabinets. If they were doing a search for some reason you should be present. If I were you I would report it as a forced entry -- get the police involved and let the boss or colleagues worm their way out of it
Yes I agree with you HC.
It also seems a very devious and disrespectful thing to do in a persons absense. :-/ :-*
-
Dunno about your current place of employ but, at my last (you know where) there was no such a thing as 'private' drawers' or lockers. It was all the property of the firm and there were duplicate/master keys held centrally.
Also, if something was known to be locked away and was needed as a matter of extreme urgency (notebook or similar) then the drawer/locker was simply forced.
I would confirm via contract or terms of employment what the standpoint is and if unclear, report a theft/break in/OLP to your line amnager and consider their reaction.
Well, in my civvy job... everyone has a personal set of draws, and holds the keys as such. No centrally held keys.
I will chat with my boss first, but I really cannot believe she wouldn't email me and at least let me know it happened, it's not like her :-/
Personally if i had had summat locked away in a draw at work...and i wasnt in the office...and they needed it....i would expect a phone call asking me....if i could come and open it.....and if i wasnt in a position too....then asked if i minded if it got opened by force...to retrieve to item.....maybe me....but i think that would be polite way of dealing with it??? :-/
-
Dunno about your current place of employ but, at my last (you know where) there was no such a thing as 'private' drawers' or lockers. It was all the property of the firm and there were duplicate/master keys held centrally.
Also, if something was known to be locked away and was needed as a matter of extreme urgency (notebook or similar) then the drawer/locker was simply forced.
I would confirm via contract or terms of employment what the standpoint is and if unclear, report a theft/break in/OLP to your line amnager and consider their reaction.
Well, in my civvy job... everyone has a personal set of draws, and holds the keys as such. No centrally held keys.
I will chat with my boss first, but I really cannot believe she wouldn't email me and at least let me know it happened, it's not like her :-/
Personally if i had had summat locked away in a draw at work...and i wasnt in the office...and they needed it....i would expect a phone call asking me....if i could come and open it.....and if i wasnt in a position too....then asked if i minded if it got opened by force...to retrieve to item.....maybe me....but i think that would be polite way of dealing with it??? :-/
Absolutely - and in which instance, I would have immediately agreed, if I knew their purpose for wanting entry...
I don't have full facts so I can't condemn anyone yet, but, this smells of colleagues rather than theft, if you ask me...
-
I am really starting to get upset with the way I'm being treated at work.
I am constantly undermined by my boss, since she has a new "favourite", whom appears to omit sunshine from his rear regions, despite the fact that he is a spiteful, foul mouthed b@stard.
This person has already manufactured grounds for a disciplinary against an employee who was VERY slightly underperforming (not all through fault of his own) by turning every little thing into a really big scecnario, accusing him of sabotage, and writing to HR about it.
Yet - I regularly hear him threatening (behind people's backs) to stand on people's necks, and bully them out of the door.
I know this guy doesn't like me either, and I am convinced there is constructive bullying going on where I work.
If I wasn't so determined not to let it get me down, I could have easily shed some tears earlier today...
I NEED a new job, there is just nothing about, locally. I'm considering a move of some distance, where an opportunity may possibly await me, but, it would mess up a few of my local commitments, so I'm unsure at this stage. :'(
-
James...PM sent
-
I am really starting to get upset with the way I'm being treated at work.
I am constantly undermined by my boss, since she has a new "favourite", whom appears to omit sunshine from his rear regions, despite the fact that he is a spiteful, foul mouthed b@stard.
This person has already manufactured grounds for a disciplinary against an employee who was VERY slightly underperforming (not all through fault of his own) by turning every little thing into a really big scecnario, accusing him of sabotage, and writing to HR about it.
Yet - I regularly hear him threatening (behind people's backs) to stand on people's necks, and bully them out of the door.
I know this guy doesn't like me either, and I am convinced there is constructive bullying going on where I work.
If I wasn't so determined not to let it get me down, I could have easily shed some tears earlier today...
I NEED a new job, there is just nothing about, locally. I'm considering a move of some distance, where an opportunity may possibly await me, but, it would mess up a few of my local commitments, so I'm unsure at this stage. :'(
James,
if your senses tell you the horizon is cloudy than get ready..
Make your plans and if become necessary change them..
but before try solving your current problems directly vertical.. ASAP
-
You seem to be implying that this may be building up to a dismissal. - unfairly possibly. Note (and photograph) the situation and other events that may be relavent in case you need this information in the future.
Even though I think this has been said above: In one of my recent work sites the attitude was that there was no personal information - all was liable to inspection. I was not convinced of that was legitimate, but it was never needed to be tested.
Good luck Steve
-
You seem to be implying that this may be building up to a dismissal. - unfairly possibly. Note (and photograph) the situation and other events that may be relavent in case you need this information in the future.
Even though I think this has been said above: In one of my recent work sites the attitude was that there was no personal information - all was liable to inspection. I was not convinced of that was legitimate, but it was never needed to be tested.
Good luck Steve
I don't think it's leading to a dismissal. I just think it's a case of duff management to be honest.
-
<snip>
I NEED a new job, there is just nothing about, locally. I'm considering a move of some distance, where an opportunity may possibly await me, but, it would mess up a few of my local commitments, so I'm unsure at this stage. :'(
Not too soon I hope !!!
Seriously ... My old man always said to me ... "don't throw a job away until you have one to go to" ... so make sure you plan everything before you burn your boats ......
A few days of careful thought/planning may prevent several weeks of anguish .. :y :y :y
-
My first thought would be to discuss it with your boss and see who & why it was opened in the first place.
If there was a good reason, you can then explain that you had personal effects in there and you would have expected a call out of courtesy if nothing else.
If she didn't sanction it, then she needs to investigate who did it and why and take appropriate action. If it's the snake in the grass then she may see him in a new light.
Don't lose sleep over it until you know the facts, then take action.
-
Start to keep a diary of events,if this heads in a bullying direction,it will be invaluable further down the road.
-
I am a little confused by this. I work in an office and everything has to be locked away at night, I have filing cabinets and a personal set of drawers, but all keys go in the key safe at night. :)
If I or anyone was not in the office access may legitimately be needed to access files or other information but the keys are available. My personal drawers are mine, I have my bit and bobs in there but also some work stuff, an example being mostly my diary, again the key is available in necessary.
I don’t see how any filing cabinet or drawers, in a public organisation can be purely private, :-/ without a duplicate key available for legitimate access.
When I went off sick a few months ago my colleagues kindly ate all my supply of chocolate bars and biscuits, they did tell me after the event, said they did not want them to go out of date. ::) ::) ::)
When I returned to work my middle drawer was full of goodies. :y
Seems to me that there are some difficult office politics going on, James I would find out why before jumping to conclusions, if there was work stuff in there someone may have had a good reason for breaking in. :)
-
Just my thoughts:
- If you smell sabotage they will say they thought something important was in the drawer and they needed urgent access and you were not contactable
- Look for another job (not easy I know) but keep everything sweet whilst at this one
- Don't burn your bridges even if you feel you will never need the company again. It is always best to part as amicably as possible
- I know you are sharing your experiences with us but please do not let everyones opinions cloud your judgement
- deep down i think you know what to do
-
Don't worry I'm not leaving without anywhere to go ;)
I just think that something really underhand is at play here... it's been afoot for a while .
-
I have been lucky, I have worked for the same employer for 9 years in different teams and roles and never had any such problems, I can’t even imagine what it must be like to not feel supported by your manager and colleagues. :(
-
I have been lucky, I have worked for the same employer for 9 years in different teams and roles and never had any such problems, I can’t even imagine what it must be like to not feel supported by your manager and colleagues. :(
Lonely... isolated... and not easy to leave it behind at 5pm :-[
-
You need to get proof about nobend and get him fired before he does any more harm
-
You need to get proof about nobend and get him fired before he does any more harm
Agreed, I think you should pay HR a visit
-
This sort of thing is annoying and upsetting - I was off sick for a week and my desk was forced open, allegedly to get hold of a document I was working on. This was a pointless exercise, as it was available online, and could have been obtained simply by phoning me up to ask where it was kept.
When I complained to my manager, I found that he, together with the responsible line manager, had actually carried out the break-in.
I'm far too old a hand to leave anything personal or confidential in my desk, so there was no comeback on me. A few months later, I got made redundant - unfairly, in my opinion. I'm sure they'd been trying to get rid of me for some time. I now suspect that the break-in may have been an attempt to find something in my desk that shouldn't have been there as an excuse to start disciplinary prceedings.
So - be careful.
-
Work 'own' the cabinet, they can do what they like.
If they were searching for something illegal, you can be sure there would be independant witnesses.
They could 'assume' with so much personal stuff in your drawers, that you are not spending all your paid time, on their work, but on filling out applicatiopns etc, using their equipment (generally a big no-no)
Just be careful if you shout too loudly and it backfires.
But that all said, then yes, it is an invasion of privacy.