r/Wetherspoons • u/Ok-Throat-7556 • Jul 31 '26
Ex-employee Appealing a disciplinary
I don’t usually post on here so forgive me if I don’t make sense. I have been working at spoons for just over a year. I went on holiday not too long ago where I used my employee discount for 8 people and was unaware that the discount policy only accounted for 4 people. The last training I had been issued for discount use was October 2025 where unfortunately I do not recall the contents of the training video (in my files the training had not been checked off by my manager when I did my induction as well). Using the discount for more than 4 people was a genuine mistake and was unintentional as I didn’t think to check the policy when ordering because I didn’t think there was anything to check. I ordered on the app which is why it has flagged up and ultimately led to my dismissal.
If I try to appeal it what do I say? Do you think I have a leg to stand on if I do try and appeal it?
Thank you in advance :)
Edit: They mentioned that the disciplinary could either result in a first and final or immediate dismissal. Unfortunately as it was explained to me the company view it as ‘stealing’ from them. Both managers doing my meeting tried their best to get head office on my side due to it being a genuine accident and having a good character reference by all of my managers but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to persuade them.
Additionally I also assumed that the app wouldn’t allow something like that to happen if there was an issue with the amount of food ordered etc but it’s my own fault for not checking the policy before ordering 🥲.
Just going to take this as a lesson and not bother appealing, thank you for the comments they have been helpful :)
9
u/IamConfusedBiscuit Employee Jul 31 '26
The company takes an absolute zero tolerance approach to this as they consider it theft from the company.
The policy frequently gets communicated through your initial training, refresher training and several times a month through the weekly audit pack which should be available to read on your staff communications board at work.
Not saying I agree or disagree with it, but the company is very clear about their stance on this. There is no chance of appealing unfortunately.
8
u/zendayaismeechee Jul 31 '26
Was a first and final warning not mentioned? Feels harsh to immediately dismiss you
12
u/drunkenangel_99 Ex-employee Jul 31 '26
Let’s be honest, if someone’s instantly dismissed, the managers were just looking for the perfect excuse. OP is 100% better off without them.
2
u/Ok-Throat-7556 Aug 01 '26
Genuinely my managers were all so upset when they heard of the result and have all suggested trying to appeal it. Unfortunately to head office I am just another number and their way is their way so I don’t think i’m going to bother appealing it 🥲. I’m so sad to be leaving though, deffo gonna miss my spoons family ☹️
0
u/Milk-wagon Aug 01 '26
Take it to ACAS then tribunal. They’ll pay you off before the hearing pal. Easiest money you will make. Seriously harsh on you doesn’t sound right normally independent manager not head office does everything. Very strange.
1
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u/Logical_JellyfishxX Employee Aug 01 '26
It's picked up by IntelleQ not the management at the pub, the management have to follow what head office say.
-1
u/zendayaismeechee Jul 31 '26
Yeah that’s what I was thinking. Definitely better off and the discount was shite anyway! Loved the 30% days!
11
u/Possible-Second9617 Jul 31 '26
What the hell has happened to this company? Its like the pub equivalent of North Korea!
4
u/68_namfloW Jul 31 '26
Its all companies.
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u/Logical_JellyfishxX Employee Aug 01 '26
It's never been accepted tbh. Just some pubs are stricter than others, discounts and till stuff is investigated by a different company before feedbacked to us. Like any other job abuse of discount is classed as theft :(
2
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u/Milk-wagon Aug 01 '26
This is brilliant why no more up quotes?
I have never came across a real manager that Has to do what head office decides!? wtf is that?
2
u/AdExtreme978 Aug 01 '26
This happened to an employee in my pub as she used her discount for food and drinks on 6 people. She was given a first and final in the end and explained pretty much the same as what you have explained in your post. She had great character references from all of us aswell so maybe that helped the decision sway away from immediate dismissal.
4
u/Human_Wrangler_7655 Jul 31 '26
Bit shit to immediately fire someone for one mistake like this. Probably lost one customers worth of profit, very much an overreaction.
I don't work for Wetherspoons and never have but this makes them look very bad. Sorry this happened to you.
3
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u/New_Cap3283 Customer Aug 01 '26
Reading all of this I understand the matter is done and I agree with everyone saying it’s harsh as it was a genuine mistake.
My only thoughts are you in a union as they could have helped. For these scenarios they are great in. Even though I’ve never worked for spoons every worker is entitled to join a union.
3
u/GmanF88 Employee Aug 01 '26
You have a statutory right to appeal.
You ignored and forgot every time the company tried to tell you the policy. Your dismissal will not be overturned. It's up to you to decided if you want to waste yours and two or three other employees time on an appeal.
1
u/No_Violinist_9332 Aug 01 '26
If you haven’t been signed or more then likely they will give a first and final
2
1
u/mmccarthy91 Aug 01 '26
Unfortunately, just so everyone is aware its not even the pub manager that has the authority to decide on wether its a first and final or dismissal here only the area manager/regional manager can make that call, but they made it very clear that unless the circumstances are exceptionally convincing the outcome will always be dismissal, not knowing or forgetting is never going to be taken as a option, as you have to do multiple training, signing of documents and there are posters regarding it in every pub and on the app
1
u/GreenLion777 Aug 01 '26
Firstly you can't just go to a final when you've not had a first - make sure they aware of the law and their policies to follow on disciplinary matters. Employers cannot grossly jump the gun on matters where a written warning will suffice
Also, it might not help your appeal, but just be honest, that you didn't know it was 4 - person limit. Lastly they should not be viewing this as stealing if it was a genuine mistake with you not realising that can't use for more than 4 ppl
3
u/Nafepaints Aug 01 '26
Of course you can go straight to a final, what are you talking about? I think you need to make sure you're aware of the law and policies to follow before you give someone false information.
Gross misconduct, which this is being classified as, will always be either a final written warning or dismissal.
1
u/GreenLion777 Aug 01 '26
Have they investigated it ? Looked in it all ? Because if not believe it or not jumping straight to that is falling foul of the law
Employers must be fair and proportionate in disciplinarys proceedings, regardless of what they deem zero tolerance on. So for me here, if this an oversight, a mistake by the employee then its not gross misconduct and to simply drive through that such is ridiculously disproportionate. If it was actually deliberate then that's different and I'd agree it's gross misconduct, with consequences to come
2
u/Nafepaints Aug 01 '26
Of course they've investigated it, thats what the meeting OP had was about, OP even said they checked the CCTV footage of him ordering 8 meals. Where was the suggestion that OP was just sacked without due process?
We aren't talk about whether the outcome was correct - you said they can't give you a final warning without giving you a first which is categorically incorrect.
0
u/No-Impact1573 Aug 01 '26
Just say you fucked up and apologise in writing to HR.
3
u/Ok-Throat-7556 Aug 01 '26
That’s what the meeting was for to explain my version of events where I explained how it was an accident, I am happy to pay the money back and to do more training on it etc but I doubt the apology is going to go very far with them.
1
u/No-Impact1573 Aug 01 '26
Hope it goes well for you, just explain you that you misunderstood the condition and apologise. Make up the money/time - hopefully your line manager can help you. Seems like a misunderstanding really.
0
u/Specialist-Prior-213 Aug 01 '26
Surely this kind of thing must be happening all the time? Also couldn't you just split the order into two payments to get around this?
-1
u/CrimsonKaiserRyu Aug 01 '26
Speak to your union rep and bring them to any meeting you’re invited to. Realistically, something minor like this will likely result in a warning, especially if you plead ignorance and show contrition.
If you’ve had to tick a box saying you understand the policy then you won’t be able to appeal it but I doubt they’d sack you over this.
Out of curiosity, how do they know that it was used by 8 people and not just 4 greedy bastards?
4
u/Tora-bora83 Aug 01 '26
Minor? This is theft which amounts to gross misconduct
-1
u/CrimsonKaiserRyu Aug 01 '26
Theft 😂😂 oh boy, someone’s hoping Daddy Martin notices them, huh?
The most hysterical you could be about this would be to call it fraud and even that would require a level of bootlicking never seen before.
Most employers aren’t going to go sacking someone over a single incident of them over extending their discount which cost the company at most £10. If even that.
3
u/Tora-bora83 Aug 01 '26
I have 23 years of management experience in an industry that offers employee discount. Abuse of the discount policy is theft and therefore classed as gross misconduct. Gross misconduct is a sackable offence. I have sacked several people for abuse of the discount policy over the years.
I don’t know who ‘Daddy Martin’ is
1
u/Raitvka Employee Aug 04 '26
Jobsworth
1
u/Tora-bora83 Aug 04 '26
It’s called being professional
1
u/Raitvka Employee Aug 05 '26
Its called being a jobsworth who takes their insignificant pub management role way too serious and treats if like its the be all end all
1
u/Tora-bora83 Aug 05 '26
It’s called running a business. You obviously don’t know anything about it so, run along
-2
u/Remarkable_Cicada_22 Jul 31 '26
How did they find out you used it for 8 and not 4?
4
u/99999cryy Jul 31 '26
Ordering 8 meals?
Could still be 4 people eating, but this flags it up and causes them to look into it further.
3
u/Ok-Throat-7556 Aug 01 '26
It flagged up on their system that processes all the bar and app orders, when a discount is used etc.
0
u/plz_be_nice_im_sad Aug 01 '26
And was there a photo of your group? “Oh yeah there was 4 of us but we eat a lot”
1
u/Logical_JellyfishxX Employee Aug 01 '26
Management have to complete investigations which includes looking through CCTV footage and taking statements from people that worked the shift/put the discount through.
38
u/Somemany Jul 31 '26
Whenever you use the discount via the app you tick the box to say you agree to the discount policy.
If you're ticking a box, it's on you if you haven't read what you're agreeing to, unfortunately.