I need some help and opinions~
So I've been re-suspended and will be having a disciplinary meeting with the store manager sometime next week.
At first it was a investigation as to whether the allegations made against me we true, and as they are I had a meeting after that which led to me being re-suspended till the next meeting.
What happened was that I reduced item(s) which were not due to be reduced for a family member/friend, and as there were not benefits for anyone else but myself it has been classed as gross misconduct.
In my defence, there were plenty of staff in close proximity at the time who saw me, and could've easily stopped me - as I wasn't attempting to hide the fact I was reducing the item(s) - and I didn't know we weren't allowed to do so.
At the second investigatory meeting, they asked me further questions like "Why did you do it, Have you seen other members of staff doing it" and etc, but I felt compelled to say no as I felt uncomfortable and saw it as whistle-blowing.
During the interview my manager kept on pressing on if I wanted to make any further comments as if she wanted me to say something but I wasn't really catching on.
This is my first job, and the event that happened was an out of character moment, but I am entitled to be accompanied by one or by a member of staff of my choosing.
However I am not in a workers trade union, and have not told anyone of the current situation and don't feel comfortable in dragging someone in when they have no involvement.
Since the next meeting is of a disciplinary nature I read about the actions used to solve gross misconduct and they were dismissal or leniency if the employer feels that dismissal is too harsh etc.
So what would you advice me to do?
I haven't even told my mum since I feel so ashamed of myself.