I know I made a huge mistake but I was caught stealing 🤦♀️ no reasons justify what I did and I plan on taking affirmative measures on getting the help I need to work through mental things… that said I was called into AP and he started by trying to be my friend and that they like to get to know everyone exctera and then he asked if I stole and of course my immediate reaction was no. He then says they already know the answer he was just giving me a time to be honest and after that I did admit… he then had me sign a paper that I admitted to stealing and what how much. I think total it was less than $50. He then said since I wasn’t honest at first they were terminating my position and putting in a one year no trespassing order. Of course I asked if I could rectify the situation and they said it was too late and they were not calling the police but asked if I would leave immediately. They were really kind and I definitely deserve to be out of a job no doubt… however I am extremely worried that I did not ask more about what’s next… since he said they were not getting police does that mean no charges? He didn’t even mention charges just the ban… this is really out of character and a first time thing obviously because I’m an idiot and had a moment of weakness but what am I looking at? Will they really ruin my life over a one time occurrence? Again I know I did wrong but mistakes happen. One of the AP guys did say that this was grace not getting the cops and use this as a learning experience mistakes happen…
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2011
- Messages
- 20,190
Okay, let's start with one thing that really stands out from your post.
You start out by saying, "I made a huge mistake but I was caught stealing 🤦♀️ no reasons justify what I did and I plan on taking affirmative measures on getting the help I need to work through mental things".
This should indicate that you are sorry and really understand that you fucked up.
Then you say, "I definitely deserve to be out of a job no doubt." Which certainly reenforces that idea.
Still on the next line you say, " I’m an idiot and had a moment of weakness" then go straight into "Will they really ruin my life over a one time occurrence? Again I know I did wrong but mistakes happen."
That does not sound like someone who has learned their lesson and won't screw up again.
I think you are right, you do need to work on this.
As to the job, stay the fuck out of the store.
Don't try to fix anything just stay away.
You got really lucky that they didn't wait for you to steal enough for them to call the cops.
You start out by saying, "I made a huge mistake but I was caught stealing 🤦♀️ no reasons justify what I did and I plan on taking affirmative measures on getting the help I need to work through mental things".
This should indicate that you are sorry and really understand that you fucked up.
Then you say, "I definitely deserve to be out of a job no doubt." Which certainly reenforces that idea.
Still on the next line you say, " I’m an idiot and had a moment of weakness" then go straight into "Will they really ruin my life over a one time occurrence? Again I know I did wrong but mistakes happen."
That does not sound like someone who has learned their lesson and won't screw up again.
I think you are right, you do need to work on this.
As to the job, stay the fuck out of the store.
Don't try to fix anything just stay away.
You got really lucky that they didn't wait for you to steal enough for them to call the cops.
I understand you feel as if me being concerned for my livelyhood as I don’t know I did wrong but believe me I fully know and I fully understand that it was a huge mistake. And as anyone who has made a terrible mistake I do have major concern about charges ruining my life over a one time mistake… again I know and feel like complete crap about what I did but I have to also think realistically as I am a single mom that is trying so hard to get my life back on track after my husband left and stole everything we had. Again doesn’t justify what I did I’m not claiming it does but it definitely makes the repercussions more serious if they do decide charges I’m just not sure if they will. Thank you for your feedback I have no plan on going back quite honestly I never shopped at target before the convenience of working there and even still I tried to avoid. I am completely glad I did get caught because if not who knows if I would of done it again and I wish to believe I wouldn’t but it’s a slippery slope and an addition for some people. I just want to be able to move on from here and do better .
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2019
- Messages
- 3,682
Get some counseling. Keep your mouth shut, you come across as being very verbose. Look for another job and realize every minute of the hunting process you fucked up and won't do it again. Keep your child #1, always. Good luck, work hard and hang in there. You're young, troubled and inexperienced. Get help.
redeye58
Hasta Ba Rista, Baby!
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2011
- Messages
- 21,632
Consider it a warning shot across the bow; they caught you before it became a felony (based on the $$ amount).
A 'moment of weakness' sounds like an excuse rather than a reason & you're lucky they're simply banning you instead of letting you steal enough to warrant a perp walk out in cuffs.
They seldom waste the effort to press charges for what amounts to a misdemeanor & the ban is to keep you away from any other 'temptations'. Your 'mistake' is not fessing up first thing. There are cameras everywhere. If they asked, they already knew the answer; they just wanted to see what you'd say.
It's like the terms of parole; do what they say & you can get off light. Violate it & they WILL have you arrested
The only person that can ruin your life is you. There's nothing else to do except take the lesson offered: stay the hell away.
A 'moment of weakness' sounds like an excuse rather than a reason & you're lucky they're simply banning you instead of letting you steal enough to warrant a perp walk out in cuffs.
They seldom waste the effort to press charges for what amounts to a misdemeanor & the ban is to keep you away from any other 'temptations'. Your 'mistake' is not fessing up first thing. There are cameras everywhere. If they asked, they already knew the answer; they just wanted to see what you'd say.
It's like the terms of parole; do what they say & you can get off light. Violate it & they WILL have you arrested
The only person that can ruin your life is you. There's nothing else to do except take the lesson offered: stay the hell away.
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2017
- Messages
- 1,977
The amount is small enough that they're not going to file charges against you - it's not worth the time and effort needed.
That said, I think you'd be wise to avoid applying for any other retail jobs or other positions where you'd be dealing with money. Don't set yourself up for being faced with temptation and potential for failure again.
I'm not in your shoes, but I wonder if you have a solid support network of family and/or friends to help you get through your current situation to a better spot. Perhaps your area has support services for people in your situation? Might be worth checking into.
That said, I think you'd be wise to avoid applying for any other retail jobs or other positions where you'd be dealing with money. Don't set yourself up for being faced with temptation and potential for failure again.
I'm not in your shoes, but I wonder if you have a solid support network of family and/or friends to help you get through your current situation to a better spot. Perhaps your area has support services for people in your situation? Might be worth checking into.
buliSBI
Former Team Member
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2011
- Messages
- 3,858
So cops do not like tp spend time on petty theft (small value) cases unless they actually witness it. And it will cost Target money and time more than its worth to proceed with escalating it.
Its theft in Target eyes. So automatic term, marked as non-hireable, and trespass order is typical for such internal cases. Nothing else will come from it. As long as you learn from it.
Its theft in Target eyes. So automatic term, marked as non-hireable, and trespass order is typical for such internal cases. Nothing else will come from it. As long as you learn from it.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2017
- Messages
- 704
Just go up to the SD, tell them it was an accident, you're sorry you got caught, and you'll try not to let it happen again. They'll be required by law to re-hire you AND compensate you for the time you spent unemployed if you submit a form that says you are Legally Sorry. You can pick one up from your local town hall and then all you have to do is get someone on this forum to sign it for you as a witness (we're all tight with corporate here; they respect us a lot), and you'll be good. It'll help your case all the more if you can verbally attest that what you did was no problem for you whatsoever until you got caught.
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2019
- Messages
- 3,682
D&K Unique approach. They should watch the SCO's, easy to steal and they do, all the time.
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2018
- Messages
- 4,299
BobBelcher
aptl maybe sometimes
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2018
- Messages
- 25
Even if you were honest, you were going to be terminated at the very least. Any theft is considered gross misconduct. I am not sure your exact situation but just because you weren't taken out in cuffs and charged that night doesn't mean you won't/can't be charged. I regularly would visit the police station days after certain incidents to file charges. All AP has to do is swear in front of a judge and they will put a warrant out for you arrest.
In the long run, even if charges are pressed, most likely very minimal consequences will occur. If you are first time offender with no record, you will probably get slapped with a bunch of fines and be required to take a class through your local municipality on why you shouldn't steal again. I get it man, you were an opportunist and acted on impulse, probably not a good idea to do it within a company the spends a huge amount of money on catching theft though. $50 is not worth the time of AP though because when you think about it, the person filing charges would have to show up to court and to justify spending that many hours in court over $50 would not be a great business decision. Now, hopefully this was a one time instance and AP isn't digging for more thefts that occurred by you.
All in all, you will be fine. No matter what happens I have seen many felony thefts just get slaps on the wrist too.
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2019
- Messages
- 3,682
I see our local PD patrol cars at the double doors with the 4 ways flashing all the time. AP has electronic and human eyes on everyone all the time. It ain't worth it.
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2011
- Messages
- 2,753
They did an interview technique on you. Act like your friend. Say they’ve been thru hard times too. Or I bet if I were in your shoes, I may also. They get you to admit to as much as possible (lots of times, admitting to more than they actually had proof on, then they tell you you’re fired because you lied.
You were going to be fired regardless. You provided them with a confession making their job easier and giving them a higher dollar amount than they “caught” you stealing.
You fell right into their hands.
You’re done. Don’t go back.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2011
- Messages
- 2,753
The Wicklander-Zulawski (WZ) method is a non-confrontational interviewing technique that builds rapport and trust with the interviewee. It's used to gather information and elicit honest responses.
How it works
- The interviewer builds credibility with a brief introduction
- The interviewer shows understanding by rationalizing
- The interviewer asks open-ended questions
- The interviewer encourages the interviewee to open up
- The interviewee feels comfortable and is less likely to be defensive or emotional
- The interviewer can gather more complete and accurate information
- The interviewee is more likely to reveal the truth
Last edited:
