My Letter Stolen

[UK21]

It could be not a big deal for somebody but I was really shocked when I found out my reference letter,from my of colleagues, gone missing.
It was just a character reference letter I asked my colleagues for another job.
There's a rule in my current work place that nobody gives a reference letter to other staff with company address without manager's permission. when I received the letter from my colleagues i didn't not checked it through all and left the letter on staff room table carelessly without envelope. then another staff saw my the letter and copied that, shredded the original one, put in to another envelope, sealed off and left on manager's desk to blame my colleague who wrote the letter for me because the company address was written in the letter. I know that was the letter with a mistake However, what I wonder is that how could someone take my letter(my name was written on the top) away and copied plus destroyed the original one and gone home without telling me... is there any legal action i can take?

[factor-fiction]

I doubt it. If the letter had been typed in work using company paper and the company's computer the company would be able to claim it belongs to them

[rockyracoon]

I'd be more concerned about your friend who write the reference, his name will be on the bottom of the letter that your manage has.

[CheekyChops]

You are joking, surely? Legal action? Just get your colleague to write you another reference (without the company address) and DON'T leave it on a table in the staff room for all and sundry to access.

[boxtops]

If they wrote it on a computer surely they can just run off another copy?

[Peter Pedant]

It is your data since it has your name on it

so ask for a copy under the Data protection act
you do this through the company's data controller
Dear Sir, please can I a copy of the letter dated etc etc

The ref giver - hmmm, it looks as though you will be giving HIM a ref soon

Even tho you are only 21 you have learnt a valuable lesson which is by your own carelessness, you have got someone else into trouble - be more careful next time !

[Baldric]

I am assuming your new job does not involve use of the English Language?

[lady-janine]

or involving dating things either baldric

[UK21]

thanks for all answers, It was hand witting one with her signature anyway.