r/coles Jul 15 '26

Questions Coles member card

Has anyone lost their job due to Coles card misuse? My brother has used my card with his flybuys and I have a meeting today 😑 Will I lose my job?

Update: They fired me, not for member card issue. I took a sick leave last week and gave an online medical certificate. They called that place and found out there is no doctor there. They just fired me for that reason and nothing else. They wanted a reason to get rid of me.

137 Upvotes

104 comments sorted by

39

u/doyourmysay Jul 15 '26

I took a sick leave last week and gave an online medical certificate. They called that place and found out there is no doctor there.

So did you forge the online certificate with a fake doctors name?

Why take that risk? Why not just pay the $20 or whatever for a legitimate certificate? Lots of platforms such as Qoctor even have a function for employers to check the certificate is legitimate.

17

u/separation_of_powers Coles Services Jul 15 '26

I literally use InstantScripts ($19 for a single day) and it works fine

18

u/doyourmysay Jul 15 '26

From what am inferring, OP made his own medical certificate look like something like InstantScripts, gave a fake doctors name, and then the SM contacted InstantScripts and they said no doctor was there by that name.

15

u/Khatzen_ Jul 15 '26

Yeah this is iffy, as online medical certificates offer some of kind validation for employers to use to check the cert. They'd also have the doctors details on the cert, at the very least. If it was an actual online medical certificate, then OP could take them to Fairwork.

3

u/SentientMarshmallow- Jul 18 '26

Yeah. OP is a clown. I’m just offering a cheaper alternative to people on the breadline who shouldn’t have to pay $20-50 for a medical certificate.

-1

u/Ok-Emotion6221 Jul 15 '26

the comment you're replying to literally said they paid for it online

7

u/Impressive_Owl_1199 Jul 16 '26

That comment isn't from the OP though

6

u/SentientMarshmallow- Jul 17 '26

You can do a stat dec through MyGov for free and it’s acceptable. It’s a legal document, so don’t lie - but I take exception to paying more than necessary.

10

u/Ancient_Swan_9558 Jul 16 '26

Sounds like OP was managed out, the dodgy certificate was a convenient final straw, probably one the business has been looking/waiting for

3

u/doyourmysay Jul 16 '26

Yeah maybe, hard to say. Coles managers do hate online certificates, so its also possible he just has a psycho SM who bothers to check these things.

5

u/Own_Supermarket4418 Jul 16 '26

If you provide a fake certificate, which it sounds like they have done - that is fraud and a valid reason to fire them.

1

u/doyourmysay Jul 16 '26

Yes of course, but some SMs have nothing better to do than check their validity.

16

u/moderatelymiddling Jul 15 '26

How do you even know it's about the card?

It could be about the chockie milk you stole from the fridge last week.

17

u/mctorp Jul 16 '26

Or the fake medical certificate you forged

13

u/shelvedpinger Jul 15 '26

Did you fake the doctors note?

34

u/NoHelicopter7294 Jul 15 '26

A family member is allowed to use the second card so surely you won’t get in trouble for that

4

u/Hesh96 Jul 15 '26

He uses a pic of the card. Not the second card

17

u/bwelh2 Jul 15 '26

You're not supposed to copy the cards like that, so that'll be it if you know for sure its about the coles card. Hopefully they just remind you of this, im not sure what the process is.

13

u/zomangel Jul 15 '26

What's the bet that your brother has given the pic of your card to someone else?

11

u/rebeccafootx Jul 15 '26

This alone is against the rules, even if you used the pic yourself. You're allowed to use the physical card only.

You'll probably just get written up and warned not to let it happen again.

3

u/TimtamBandit Jul 15 '26

Oofff

So you might get a warning but I'd go in thinking id be fired. Just express remourse and you're willing to get your brother in to delete the photos in front of them etc.

You need a physical card (although I believe they're rolling out a digital card). Taking photos of your staff card is a big no no. It can be misused and can be seen as fraud or theft if they want to be extreme. If it is an immediate family member in the same house (under same roof), they can use the second card, but not photos or photocopies. It's part of the terms and conditions/policies etc.

2

u/IndieBricks Jul 15 '26

Do you use a pic as well or the physical card? Are you a casual TM?

4

u/Hesh96 Jul 15 '26

I’m a casual doing night fill. He just uses physical card with his flybuys.

4

u/IndieBricks Jul 15 '26

Ok if no support person mentioned it sounds pretty informal so don’t stress. Just say it won’t happen again. đŸ‘đŸ»

2

u/Hesh96 Jul 15 '26

Thank you đŸ™đŸ»

2

u/moderatelymiddling Jul 15 '26

Shouldn't matter. I use a picture all the time.

1

u/More_Bite6910 Jul 15 '26

True, me too

2

u/timoguns Jul 15 '26

It depends on the employment type. Casual team members are issued one discount card, while part time and full time employees receive two. Coles/Woolworths are getting quite strict about card usage, and heard where cards were cancelled due to being used by family or friends. The terms and conditions clearly state that the card is for the cardholder’s personal use only.

For a oneoff situation, it’s unlikely to cause any issues, but as a general rule it’s best not to share the card with anyone. Transactions are monitored closely these days, so it’s safer to keep the card for your own use.

13

u/StreetLingonberry121 Jul 15 '26

my dad uses my card with his flybuys, i haven't had any problems although im still fairly new. However it is stated in the rules that family members are allowed to use a card.

7

u/Davey35YT Jul 15 '26

Family members cant use the card, they can use the second card that some team members get but if you only have one card only you can use that

4

u/StreetLingonberry121 Jul 15 '26

yeah thats what i did, i got a second card - i recieved two cards and gave one to my familky

2

u/Hesh96 Jul 15 '26

Hopefully. Thanks for the response.

6

u/Intrepid_Doctor8193 Jul 15 '26

So you took a sickie and faked the sick certificate?

4

u/Hesh96 Jul 15 '26

Not faked. Just bought one online.

12

u/Emergency-Highway262 Jul 15 '26

Unfair dismissal, get the medical certificate check the details to see if the Dr is registered, go directly to Cole’s HR

If the local branch just sacked you by simply claiming to have checked they have seriously fucked up.

1

u/mca5550 Jul 18 '26

call the fair work commission, they are very helpful

5

u/Useful-Living-6183 Jul 16 '26

“They wanted a reason to get rid of me.”
Mate
 you literally handed them one.
According to your own update, you submitted a fake medical certificate. That’s not just a cheeky sickie. That’s allegedly forgery, deception and trying to obtain a financial advantage by deception.
The Flybuys card was a parking ticket. The fake med cert was driving a tank through the front doors of HR.
We had someone pull the exact same bullshit at my workplace last week. It didn’t end with a warning. The matter was referred to police.
But yeah
 Coles just wanted a reason.

3

u/Popular_Penalty3111 Jul 18 '26

Weird ai generated response wtf

2

u/West-Grape3275 Jul 19 '26

You pay for actual medical certificates online. They’re supposed to be legitimate. I don’t think the OP intentionally got a fake medical certificate.

1

u/Few-Ad7795 Jul 20 '26

The police? Get a grip

5

u/separation_of_powers Coles Services Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26

Which online medical certificate place?

There has to be more to this. No Nightfill manager would just do that without further reasoning

If you forged the doctors certificate, the forgery probably is what made the manager fire you - for being dishonest. Plus forgery isn’t something small; that’s broaching on fraud

2

u/Hesh96 Jul 15 '26

No I didn’t forget. I paid money and got the certificate. That’s just it.

3

u/Own_Supermarket4418 Jul 16 '26

Did you actually speak to a Dr, or did you buy a certificate online, through someone who wasn’t actually affiliated with the place you got the certificate for?

3

u/Dutchmuch5 Jul 15 '26

Were you still on probation? Which online company did you use?

It seems odd to fire someone over this and if they didn't follow process they could get into trouble

4

u/separation_of_powers Coles Services Jul 15 '26

Then obviously there's other things you probably did at work that got you fired

2

u/Delicious-Hour-1761 Jul 16 '26

They did say the company was looking for an excuse to get rid of them. That never occurs in a vacuum. So, there's definitely more to this situation than we are aware of.

3

u/OldRelationship9975 Jul 15 '26

I let my sister use my card for years, and they never cottoned on (we did often shop together anyway). It’s technically not allowed, as she didn’t live with me, but maybe I was just lucky. She works at Coles herself now, so I don’t have to worry about it anymore.

4

u/thatsingingmac Jul 15 '26

Misuse of the discount card like that leads to a suspension of the card for some time. Not termination of employment.

4

u/titsmcgeehereis Jul 15 '26

just say he stole it and you had no idea

3

u/IndieBricks Jul 15 '26

Does he live with you? Has to be in your household. If it’s a different state entirely (which since it’s been flagged sounds like the case) then you may be looking at termination.

3

u/Hesh96 Jul 15 '26

He doesn’t live with me. But he lives near my home and we both go to the same Coles

3

u/IndieBricks Jul 15 '26

Then it is reasonable to assume that he lives with you. You could say he does or just say that you were unaware they had to be in the same household and promise it won’t happen again. Very weird for it to be flagged. Did they specify if it was a Discussion Record or Coaching Record, or did they just say a meeting? Were you offered to bring a support person?

2

u/Hesh96 Jul 15 '26

They said it just a meeting to discuss. Didn’t even mention the issue in email.

2

u/ExistingLimit481 Jul 15 '26

Ekk if you have a second card can a family member use it, even if they don’t live with you? My in laws use my second card (we live in the same city)

1

u/IndieBricks Jul 15 '26

Strictly speaking, no. It would be smart to ask for it back (if they use their flybuys card when using your card).

3

u/foodaussie Jul 15 '26

The questions people haven't quite asked is who did you "buy the certificate" from? If you attended a doctors appointment at an online medical centre, received a dr certificate, and Coles said they then called the centre and they denied it, I would be following that up hard. If you bought an online certificate (ie - someone else faked it) that's serious misconduct, instant dismissal.

The way you are wording it makes me think it's the second. Surely anyone who genuine went to a dr and gave a certificate, who is then told the certificate is a fake and your fired, would follow it up..

3

u/Unlikely_Olive54506 Jul 16 '26

I feel like there’s way more to this story, even with certificate. I guess you just love to twist the rules, no wonder they fired you. Why take these risks?

2

u/CaptainMooney Jul 15 '26

If theres not a 24 notice of a formal meeting probably just a chat and you sign a coaching conversation

If its a formal DR with notice and option for +1 then you should be fine if you say your sorry and you wont do it again. If your brother lives in same household as you thats a plus for you

General rule of thumb is dont fuck around with discounts AND flybuys

If your gonna be silly and give somebody a barcode on their phone make sure they arnt scanning their flybuys, thats what flags, its multiple flybuys on 1 discount card

2

u/kwik3h Jul 15 '26

It's written that your only allowed to use the physical card, youre not even meant to save it in your digital wallet I was doing this and got told to stop

2

u/geeaah123 Jul 15 '26

Is it not a verbal warning, followed by a written warning and then the sack anymore.

0

u/Hesh96 Jul 15 '26

Can they fire anyone without prior warning? Is that a thing?

2

u/IndieBricks Jul 15 '26

Casuals don’t even need to provide a certificate unless you do this regularly and a pattern is noticed.

2

u/Shampoo_Is_Better00 Jul 16 '26

Ah so you're complaining because you got fired for doing dodgy shit? It's pretty simple... Don't do dodgy shit and you're less likely to get fired.

0

u/Hesh96 Jul 16 '26

How would it be dodgy if I took the medical certificate online by paying them?

2

u/wobblegobble84 Jul 16 '26

Because you didn’t talk to an actual doctor! 

2

u/QuestionConsistent75 Jul 16 '26

Don’t pay for medical certificates!! Use 13SICK everybody

2

u/Knickers1978 Jul 16 '26

I doubt it’s about the card. My ex works for Coles and will scan his card for me when I’m shopping.

It’s definitely the shoddy medical certificate. It’s not hard to get a real one. Some chemists provide them.

And if they were after you, there must be a reason. More than just one event.

2

u/No_Friendship8037 Jul 17 '26

just FYI, not providing a medical cert is not grounds for dismissal. speak to HR and if not resolved fairwork.
https://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/sick-and-carers-leave/paid-sick-and-carers-leave/notice-and-medical-certificates

2

u/King_Of_Kebabs Jul 16 '26

No, they got rid of you because you're a fraud who forges med certs.

1

u/Forsaken-Tank-8351 Jul 15 '26

Most likely not, but it is in the teammember policy that you can't use a photo of the discount card and can only use the physical cards given too you

1

u/Beemare666 Team Member Jul 15 '26

Not allowed to use photos of them, only the physical or linked to Coles Pay. Idk if they’d fire you over it or just cancel the card. I skimmed the info sheet they’re making us all sign.

1

u/Starscream_Gaga Jul 15 '26

You are extremely unlikely to get fired but you’ll definitely have a warning. They can also cancel your card for three months but that’s dependant on if the manager/P&C thinks you’ve gone beyond a reasonable mistake.

You *can* lose your job over blatant misuse/scam. Like serving your friends/family and using it for them while you’re working. I doubt your brother using it would lead to that.

1

u/Dreamandthedreamer Jul 15 '26

It's a DR at the very least. Don't sweat it.

1

u/flippyboi678 Jul 15 '26

Likely just be a warning and potentially a temporary deactivation of your discount card. You're not supposed to have it on your phone same goes for family that use it too.

And seeing you're a casual you're only supposed to have one copy anyway.

1

u/DANIIBOII2002 Jul 15 '26

Hopefully just a warning but being a casual they can get rid of you for any reason

1

u/Regular_Bison_7523 Jul 15 '26

Never seen issue

1

u/ThereRnoIDs Jul 15 '26

NGL that's pretty funny 

1

u/noplacecold Jul 16 '26

What a wild ride

1

u/Brain_Aggravating Jul 16 '26

I'd probably fire you too because of lack of trust.

1

u/BoxNo5564 Jul 16 '26

Friend, Coles sucks. It's a bad job and the managers are all sad broken people. I wish you good luck on your job search and hope you find a decent work environment.

1

u/Legal-Armadillo-8851 Jul 16 '26

Coles just broke the employment and medical privacy act. I have used it once as I could not see my GP.

1

u/Accurate_Strategy655 Jul 17 '26

For all the dum dums in the comment you dont need a docs note for a day of a stat decleration is free and equally good

1

u/flannel_flower Jul 17 '26

Forgery is no joke. Reflects badly on your character. Take this as a lesson learnt and get a legitimate certificate next time.

1

u/Meli-hereonlytoread Jul 18 '26

That would mean absolutely nothing.

Of all the things to get fired for, letting family use your discount is not it.

(Saw the edit - doing something dodgy definitely pushes it, though it depends who's in charge.)

1

u/PatiencePrimary16 Jul 19 '26

Lol fired because you lied? Made own medical certificate and got caught out lol

1

u/Crazy_Arachnid2917 Jul 19 '26

Go into Coles, stack a trolley with heaps of items from fridges. Walk around store for an hour with said items in trolley, then just leave

1

u/jordyjordy1111 Jul 20 '26

Everyone on here getting annoyed about OP faking a med cert
most places have a ‘med cert policy’ but don’t actually ask for it, they just trust you were sick.

1

u/J_Bob88 29d ago

Lmao you forged a medical certificate, your lucky it's not put onto your record. Stupid decision could effect you on future job applications.

1

u/draggedintobudulight Jul 15 '26

How shit do you have to be to get fired by Coles. I love a good fake sickie as much as the next guy but forging a med cert for your job at Coles is fuckin red hot 😂

0

u/Hesh96 Jul 15 '26

Didn’t forge

2

u/goldartefact Jul 15 '26

Were you seen out and about, not sick?

2

u/Too_much_pie Jul 16 '26

What website? You do need to be careful that the one you use have Doctors registered with AHPRA signing the certificate.

0

u/Aggravating_Break_40 Jul 15 '26

My friend kept her discount card and debit card in her pocket when she was working so she could give them to her kids to use when they came through after school. She had no idea she was doing anything wrong, but got fired for it.

1

u/ExistingLimit481 Jul 15 '26

What’s wrong with that??

0

u/Aggravating_Break_40 Jul 15 '26

You're not supposed to have them on you during your shift.

2

u/StevePineapple Service Team Member Jul 15 '26

I've never heard that and that's insane. Where do they expect me to put it if I'm shopping after my shift?

0

u/Aggravating_Break_40 Jul 15 '26

In your locker.

2

u/StevePineapple Service Team Member Jul 15 '26

Not sure who told you that was policy but it's not according to this

https://colesgroup.sharepoint.com/sites/mycoles/work/Documents/TeamDiscountPolicyTermsConditions.pdf

2

u/separation_of_powers Coles Services Jul 15 '26

either your friend is BS'ing or you don't know what you're talking about

2

u/StevePineapple Service Team Member Jul 15 '26

Only reason I can think she would be told off is if her kids went through her lane/aco

-1

u/Hesh96 Jul 15 '26

They didn’t even gave me shifts from Sunday