Instant Dismissal For Gross Misconduct

[feebee102]

I need a bit of advice please.
Just over a year ago I was dismissed for gross misconduct from my job as a dispenser for Boots.
My son at the time was having personal problems with his ex partner over his visitations with his son. It was also the anniversary of his daughters death. He was having problems sleeping and I took it upon myself to go and purchase £10 worth of cannabis ( enough for about two smokes) for him. I did this after I had finished work one evening. The weather at the time was quite snowy so I had my coat button right up so my uniform could not be seen. Whilst I was there I happened to see one of our customers who was also purchasing cannabis. They knew me quite well.
The next day I thought it was the right thing to do and informed my manager of the encounter. I know my manager themselves partook in the odd smoke in their own time.
Nearly five weeks later I got called to a neighbouring branch of Boots and told I was being suspended for gross misconduct.
The manager there who interviewed me has not seen eye to eye with me for a few years as I use to hours there and had done for about 5 years, she then took on her niece and I was told her total hours had been cut and she had no hours to give me but had kept her niece on. I called her out on this.
Four days after my suspension I was called in front of another store manager and although I had a brilliant work record and attendance I was instantly dismissed.
None of the circumstances where take in to account, or the fact it was in my own time a good five miles away from my store. I never had it on me in work and it was a self confession to my manager.
Do you think I was wrongly dismissed and it was a bit of pay back from the other manager and if so can I sue them for it.
Or do I just bite the bullet and get on with my life.
Can I add that I’m a 60 year old , I loved and lived for my job with all my heart and went above and beyond for the company on a regular basis.

[William51]

To me you did not do much wrong and it seems they were heavy handed in dismissing you. If it happened to me i would not want to work anymore for such people and would find another suitable job.

[ladybirder]

How about getting some advice from ACAS.
https://www.acas.org.uk

[barry1010]

Too late to go to Acas - the time limit is three months less one day since dismissal

[ladybirder]

Thanks Barry, didn't know there was a time limit. Or I did and had forgotten, like so many things:-(

[Paul22118]

Had you at any time considered that you were committing a criminal offence? I am guessing the concern was that you are a responsible employee who legitimately deals with drugs and this was worrying.

[237SJ]

Personally (just my opinion) I don't think you are going to have any luck persuing it. 'Bringing the company into disrepute' will be the reason (even though your uniform wasn't visable)

[sanmac]

Paul, don't you have cannabis stores where you can legally purchase amounts of it for personal consumption in the UK?

[naomi24]

As sad as it is I think you’ve just got to bite the bullet and accept it.

No, we don’t, sanmac. It’s illegal here.

[sanmac]

OK, thanks, Naomi. I just assumed that feebee was seen at a "pot store" buying a couple of joints. These kind of stores have sprouted up all over the place in Ontario and the rest of the country...You can also buy products on-line for delivery!

[naomi24]

Have they? My friends in Ontario haven’t mentioned it… not that it would be their thing anyway. I must ask them what they think about it. Thanks sanmac.

[johnny.5]

if you hadn't said anything some one would have grassed

[douglas9401]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario_Cannabis_Retail_Corporation

[Peter Pedant]

Is this England? No they can do this

I have no idea why you thought this was acceptable ( buying it for someone else = supplying)

North America - even worse - think Oxycontin, Sackler and Big Pharma and Purdue paying $17 bn to or for the addicts they made

whether or not I sympathise and or know of others in the health care services, who take drugs, they can fire you. ( and do)

[Peter Pedant]

This is nurse plummer who got into a bit of silliness over Tramadol ( Slammer dol -sentenced to 3 y. .
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-42483135

A happier story - ex drugs dealer - do you want me to run a drugs are dangerous course?
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8734699/Drug-dealer-turned-Army-sergeant-urges-military-relax-rules-convicts-joining-forces.html