I have been accussed of clocking in another employee and fired for it.?

Question

My union rep is giving me the run around and saying we got to be carfull because if it goes to arbitration and they some how find me guilty (wich I am NOT) That the company can file charges, because he says clocking in another employee is a federal offense.Is this true? I didn't work for any goverment agency.Just for a company that has a union and is located in California.

Answer 1

Don't know about a federal offense, but it is considered stealing. I guess if you steal a certain amount(hours=dollars) it is a felony, punishable by jail time if the company wants to pursue it.

Answer 2

it is fraud, but not a federal offense unless federal funds were involved.  That can be the case even if you do not directly work for the government.  I HIGHLY doubt that anyone will go to that much trouble and expense to follow through on that threat though.

Answer 3

if you didn't do it and they have no proof of you doing it you're fine don't worry. but if it's a big enough company I'm sure they have cameras on their timeclocks you should request they check the tapes on the alleged day you clocked in the other associate, if they have no physical evidence of you clocking in the other associate you're fine no worries