screwed up big time and feeling sick about fessing up to the boss

[Anonymous]

I missed a deadline. Totally my fault. I had the data, I just marked my reminder incorrectly, so I didn't catch that it wasn't done until just now. We're still within a correction timeframe, but it's going to cost someone about a $1000 penalty. More than the penalty, though, I feel sick about telling the boss I messed up. I really want to throw up, my stomach is in knots. I've known for about 2 weeks but have been waiting for the right time. Is there ever a right time?

[Anonymous]

Ugh, that sucks, OP. Did you file whatever it is yet? I would do that and tell your boss ASAP. In my experience owning up to an honest mistake and taking responsibility shows maturity. What industry are you in?

[Anonymous]

The right time is as soon as you realized it happened. Go tell your boss right now. Delaying furhther only makes it worse.

And I would have a plan about how I was going to prevent it from happening again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I missed a deadline. Totally my fault. I had the data, I just marked my reminder incorrectly, so I didn't catch that it wasn't done until just now. We're still within a correction timeframe, but it's going to cost someone about a $1000 penalty. More than the penalty, though, I feel sick about telling the boss I messed up. I really want to throw up, my stomach is in knots. I've known for about 2 weeks but have been waiting for the right time. Is there ever a right time?

Yes, it was two weeks ago. Do it now ASAP. Just tell him you f'ed up. No excuses. No nothing. And tell him it won't happen again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, that sucks, OP. Did you file whatever it is yet? I would do that and tell your boss ASAP. In my experience owning up to an honest mistake and taking responsibility shows maturity. What industry are you in?

I administer retirement plans and one of the employees need to have some $ refunded. I've got everything ready to send out, just need to courage up and tell the boss first. :/

[Anonymous]

If you can, tell your boss how you plan to ensure that this won't happen again in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I missed a deadline. Totally my fault. I had the data, I just marked my reminder incorrectly, so I didn't catch that it wasn't done until just now. We're still within a correction timeframe, but it's going to cost someone about a $1000 penalty. More than the penalty, though, I feel sick about telling the boss I messed up. I really want to throw up, my stomach is in knots. I've known for about 2 weeks but have been waiting for the right time. Is there ever a right time?

Yes, it was two weeks ago. Do it now ASAP. Just tell him you f'ed up. No excuses. No nothing. And tell him it won't happen again.

Agree, should have done it 2 weeks ago. Second best time is now. Tell him you screwed up , how you fixed it, and how you will ensure it doesn't happen again. If he asks why you waited 2 weeks to tell him, say you realize that was also a mistake and it will not happen again either. Depending on what kind of person he is, it might help to also say that you are disappointed in yourself and embarrassed that you made this kind of mistake. Don't fish for him to reassure you, just let him know you are taking responsibility.

[Anonymous]

Go now, OP. Perhaps you had a family crisis that week and that's why you forgot (cough).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, that sucks, OP. Did you file whatever it is yet? I would do that and tell your boss ASAP. In my experience owning up to an honest mistake and taking responsibility shows maturity. What industry are you in?

I administer retirement plans and one of the employees need to have some $ refunded. I've got everything ready to send out, just need to courage up and tell the boss first. :/

I understand, OP. And the longer you wait, the harder it is to do it, so you put it off, and that makes it even harder. It's a vicious cycle. I've been there.

[Anonymous]

Secrets like this age like fish, OP. Go fess up now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, that sucks, OP. Did you file whatever it is yet? I would do that and tell your boss ASAP. In my experience owning up to an honest mistake and taking responsibility shows maturity. What industry are you in?

I administer retirement plans and one of the employees need to have some $ refunded. I've got everything ready to send out, just need to courage up and tell the boss first. :/

So you haven't done it yet?

[Anonymous]

Who is it costing $1,000? The employee or the company?

Yes, you should have fessed up immediately; now it looks like you are trying to hide something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I missed a deadline. Totally my fault. I had the data, I just marked my reminder incorrectly, so I didn't catch that it wasn't done until just now. We're still within a correction timeframe, but it's going to cost someone about a $1000 penalty. More than the penalty, though, I feel sick about telling the boss I messed up. I really want to throw up, my stomach is in knots. I've known for about 2 weeks but have been waiting for the right time. Is there ever a right time?

Bad news doesn't get better with age.

[Anonymous]

The longer you wait, the worse it is. You may have gotten in some trouble for the actual incident. But you'll likely be in more trouble for hiding it for so long. Don't be surprised if you're fired. You've proven yourself to be unreliable and irresponsible. Not for the original mess up, but for not fessing up to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The longer you wait, the worse it is. You may have gotten in some trouble for the actual incident. But you'll likely be in more trouble for hiding it for so long. Don't be surprised if you're fired. You've proven yourself to be unreliable and irresponsible. Not for the original mess up, but for not fessing up to it.